1 oz Colorized Silver Chevrolet Impala SS (in TEP)

Description

• Contains 1 oz of .999 fine Silver with red, silver and black.
• Individual rounds were secured in stylized black and white tamper-evident packaging. The TEP-RF-welded plastic polymer case (2 1/2″ x 3 1/4″) protects the coin’s finish.
• Obverse: On a red background, the Impala SS logo is centered in front of a silver ring and a jumping ram.
• Reverse: Features a red 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 car on a black background.

Chevrolet’s 1961 Impala SS 409
Known as the first muscle car, the 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 resulted from Chevrolet deciding to fine-tune the brand’s performance image to boost sales. The “Super Sport” package on a full- sized Impala helped do just that. With an all-new 409 engine option, the “SS” package was released late in the model year. The 409 engine was a bored-out Chevrolet 348 CID V8, but it became known as the “truck engine built for drag racing and stock car racing.”

In 1961, the Impala’s appearance changed significantly. The fins that had defined styling in the 1950s were removed. Gone were the large rooflines that were signatures of previous generations. The Chevrolet Impala was now more elegant and discreet in appearance. However, this doesn’t imply that the new vehicle was lacking in clever style cues or didn’t act like a muscle car. In fact, it was no secret that this engine was built for performance and speed.

The Impala SS received several distinct features not found on other Impalas. The SS had narrow- band 14×8 whitewall tires, which were only available on it. Heavy-duty shocks and springs were installed beneath to make the SS handle and corner like a real muscle car. The chrome shift housing for the 4-speed shifter and tachometer, as well as other niceties such as a chrome dash bezel and stainless-steel pedals, were all excellent touches.

In 1962, the Beach Boys’ song “She’s Real Fine, My 409” was released, and a legend was born. Written by Brian Wilson, Mike Love, and Gary Usher, “She’s Real Fine, My 409” was inspired by Usher’s love for hot rod cars like the Impala SS 409. In the song, the Beach Boys sing “my four speed, dual-quad, positraction four-oh-nine,” describing the 409’s engine.