Bumper under the grille
The front bumper runs under the grille instead of around it.1one source
Class of '70 · Chevrolet Impala · 1970 body · fourth generation
1970Chevrolet Impala
The last of the fourth generation: a bumper under the grille, vertical taillamps, the 454, and no more Super Sport.
The year in brief
The 1970 had a conventional bumper under the grille in place of 1969's wraparound one, and triple vertical taillamps.1one source
The 454 replaced the 427 at the top, at 345 and 390 hp, and a 350 V8 became the standard engine on most models.12
Only 9,562 convertibles were built, and the Impala Super Sport was dropped, by Wikipedia's account.1one source
The story of the year
Fewer cars, and a strike
Wikipedia counts 612,800 Impalas without the wagons, 6,500 with the six, and says a 65-day strike in the fall of 1970 hit the start of 1971 production.1one source
How to spot a 1970
What tells it apart from a 1969.
Vertical taillamps
Triple vertical taillamps.1one source
15-inch wheels
Fiberglass-belted tires on 15-inch wheels became standard equipment; the 1969 SS427 already had 15-inch wheels.1one source
Production1one source
About 612,800 cars, by group of models; ≈ marks our arithmetic on rounded totals.
Every trim line
| Body | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 4-door sedan, six | Impala | ≈6,500 |
| Group total | ≈6,500 | |
| All bodies, V8 | Impala | ≈606,300 |
| Group total | ≈606,300 | |
| Total | ≈612,800 | |
Wikipedia's figures, citing page 166 of the Standard Catalog (its footnote calls it the «Standard Guide»), without the wagons; 9,562 of the V8 cars were convertibles. One source.
Engines12
6 engines. Chevrolet's regular production option number from GM's own lists: numbers in 1961–62, letter codes from 1963; «Std.» is a standard engine. The VIN shows only six or V8.
Gross ratings and option codes from GM's 1970 engine table. The six was only for the four-door sedan, by Wikipedia's account.
Price when new2one source
Base retail prices in 1970 dollars, before options.
Neither GM's 1970 kit nor any other source we have gives 1970 prices.
Colors2one source
15 factory colors. The color names come from one source2one source; the swatches are approximate screen colors, not paint matches.
Tuxedo Black19
Cortez Silver14
Misty Turquoise34
Classic White10
Fathom Blue28
Cranberry Red75
Astro Blue25
Gobi Beige50
Forest Green48
Green Mist45
Autumn Gold58
Desert Sand63
Champagne Gold55
Black Cherry78
Shadow Gray17
GM's list of solid exterior colors and codes for the 1970 Impala series. Two-tones are left out. No source we have gives the number of cars per color.
Reading the VIN2one source
A 1970 VIN has 13 characters. Type one in, and the decoder reads it against the code tables on this page.
164370S1000012one source · An example built from GM's code tables, not a real car's VIN: a 1970 Impala V8 sport coupe, after GM's own example of a Biscayne (154690S100001).
The code table
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Chevrolet |
| 63 · 64 | Series: 63 Impala, six; 64 Impala, V8 |
| 36 · 37 · 39 · 46 · 47 · 67 · 69 | Body: 36 4-door Kingswood station wagon, 2 seats; 37 2-door sport coupe (hardtop); 39 4-door sport sedan (hardtop); 46 4-door Kingswood station wagon, 3 seats; 47 2-door custom coupe (hardtop); 67 2-door convertible; 69 4-door sedan |
| 0 | Model year (1970) |
| C · D · J · R · S · T · U · Y · 1 · 2 | Assembly plant (GM's list for all Chevrolet passenger cars, «only basic designations shown») |
| 100001 → | Unit number, counted at each plant for all series together |
Where to find it: Stamped on a plate attached to the top left of the instrument panel.2one source
Questions about the 1970
How many 1970 Chevrolet Impalas were made?
About 612,800, by a total rounded to the nearest 100. The production table on this page shows which rows are exact and which are our arithmetic on the rounded total.1one source
How can you tell a 1970 Impala from a 1969?
Three signs, each explained under «How to spot» on this page: bumper under the grille; vertical taillamps; 15-inch wheels.1one source
What engines did the 1970 Chevrolet Impala have?
Six engines, from the 250 cu in six (4-door sedan only) to the 454 cu in V8. The engine table on this page gives every code and rating, and the rulings cover the disputed ones.12
How much did a 1970 Chevrolet Impala cost new?
Base retail prices, before options: All models not in our sources.2one source
What colors did the 1970 Chevrolet Impala come in?
General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) lists 15 factory colors.2one source
Where is the VIN on a 1970 Chevrolet Impala?
Stamped on a plate attached to the top left of the instrument panel.2one source
Sources
- Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation) Wikipedia · read 2026-10-12
- 1970 Chevrolet Passenger Car – Vehicle Information Kit General Motors (GM Heritage Archive) · read 2026-10-12
Keep going
Three more years.
1967Chevrolet ImpalaThe coke-bottle restyle: bulging fenders, a fastback sport coupe, the 385-hp 427, and the car from Supernatural.About 651,700 built
1968Chevrolet ImpalaHorseshoe taillamps in the bumper, hidden wipers, side marker lamps, the new Custom Coupe, and the Super Sport reduced to an option.About 711,000 built1969Chevrolet ImpalaCrisper lines, a bumper wrapped around the grille, no vent windows, the key on the column, Kingswood wagons, and the last SS427.About 776,700 builtSee the whole fourth generation.
Dimensions, production year by year and every ruling, 1965–1970.