Undoubtedly, the car had little in common with an antelope genus, after which it was named. As a major leap we might call the standardisation of the different brands of General Motors. If you look the videos with the Malibu- and Biscayne model from 1959 below, then do they look almost the same.
The year before, it had just given for the Chevrolet models, the new chassis (Figure). It now ran together in the middle to a kind of support tube, which disappeared in the centre tunnel. Previously, it ran laterally through under the door sills and increased unnecessarily the body. Rear there were now a in possible movement directions defined rigid axle with coil springs instead of leaf springs. Amazing how flat this long and wide car was, what its dimensions visually rather more enlarged. It's astonishing how comfortable one was sitting also with enough headroom. As an extra there was electrics on the front seats, which of course made much sense for a bank. Sure, up front the transmission tunnel disturbed passengers sitting in the middle.
The predecessor (picture) had already the so-called the panoramic windscreen, the glass rounded the corner, but nevertheless a completely different front. First with this model generation the front end got the full pontoon form with completely flat surface. By the way, only the rear end was a little changed at the successor (picture) and one had already a new model. The overall view were praised in this car despite its size. The steering wheel came up to the driver and was almost vertical and surprisingly well in hand. Because of the reduction of impact of accidents it was dished always deeper into the subsequent period, plus there was at least the early lap belt. While the car had the usual ride comfort for a road cruiser, one seemed to know no pardon with the brakes. The obeyed at once and were not to impress by the enormous kerb weight of nearly 2 tons. Although the car still had no air conditioning, but otherwise was present any heating and ventilation comfort combined with very low noise.
And the engine? The Impala was also available with six-cylinder in-line engine. An even greater V8 could be ordered in the US, as well as smaller, optional with petrol injection. The engine was the jewel in terms of effortless traction and gliding. In order not to leave open the question: You could even press it well under 20 litres/100km, but this required a very relaxed driving with slow speed on the highway. 02/15