Chevrolet Impala SS 409, the legendary muscle car

Chevrolet introduced muscle car power to the people in the early 1960s, specifically the 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409. In the middle of 1961, Chevrolet Impala Super Sport option package showcased another new arrival, the 409-cid V-8, with a powerful engine.

The 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 was a muscle car favorite in that era even the Beach Boys immortalized it in a song. Featuring a hardtop, the SS option included SS tags, a passenger grab bar, narrow whitewalls, a steering-column tachometer, and suspension upgrades.

The Chevy Impala’s engine was all about power. For 1961, Chevrolet built around 491,000 Impalas. Of these 453 had the SS connotation and only 142 got the 409. Its reputation spread quickly. A mainstream Chevy V-8 with a powerful torque and the ability to turn mid-15-second quarter miles with the standard rear axle and mandatory four-speed manual is something a car lover would look forward to for a muscle car. Then the Beach Boys sang “She’s real fine, my 409,” and a car legend was born.

The SS badge brought popularity of the Chevy brand into the 1970s before going on an extended hiatus. The Chevrolet Impala SS 409 lasted only through 1965 and yet it remained a popular muscle car up until now.

Source: howstuffworks.com