Chevrolet expanded its range in 1962, adding a new sub-compact. The Chevy II was designed to compete with the Ford Falcon and boosted Chevrolet total production to 2,161,398, including the Corvair and Corvette, making the company the world’s largest automaker. Chevrolet added a Convertible to the Chevy II lineup, to join the existing 1962 Chevrolet Impala Convertible.

Full-size Chevrolet production totaled 1,424,008 and included Biscayne, Bel Air and Impala lines, with the high-line Impala available as a four-door Sedan, two- and four-door Hardtop, Convertible and six- and nine-passenger Station Wagons. Impala remained the best-selling line with 704,900 buyers.

The 1962 Impala models were cleaned up externally, with a full length falling body crease on the sides, and a long brightwork rib below the top fender crease. A wide ribbed rocker molding was fitted and the rear cove was brushed aluminum with six taillights with built-in reversing lights. Interiors were plusher, with high-quality materials and new door panels with long armrests and fingertip door release handles.

The sportier cars showed their strength, with massive 409 cid V-8s and Super Sports packages becoming popular. A total of 99,311 Impalas were sold with the SS option. About 100 Z11 lightweight drag cars were constructed using aluminum panels on the Bel Air “bubbletop” 2-door hardtop, which was more aerodynamic than the faux convertible Impala Hardtop and covered a quarter-mile in a blistering 12.2 seconds. A stock Impala Hardtop with the 409/409 combination took 14.9 seconds.

Base engines were the 135 bhp, 235 cid six and 170 bhp, 283 cid V-8. Optional engines included the 250 bhp Turbo-Fire 327 cid V-8 with four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust ($191), 300 bhp 327 V-8 with four-barrel and dual exhaust ($245), 380 bhp Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 with high lift cam and solid lifters ($428), and 409/409hp V-8 with dual four-barrels, lightweight valve train, high lift cam and solid lifters ($484).

Option code 240 added the SS package on the Impala Sport Coupe and Convertible for $53.80, but bucket seats cost another $102.25. Performance options included heavy duty front springs, heavy duty rear springs, heavy duty shock absorbers, and a V-8 tachometer.

Conventional luxury options included air conditioning ($364), tinted glass ($38), Impala comfort and convenience group ($30), power brakes ($43), power steering ($75) and six-way power seat ($97). A pushbutton radio cost $57 and two-speed electric wipers were $17.

Chevrolet offered 16 exterior colors for 1962 and 10 two-tones. They were Tuxedo Black (900), Surf Green (903), Laurel Green (905), Jewel Blue (912), Silver Blue (912), Nassau Blue (914), Twilight Turquoise (917), Twilight Blue (918), Autumn Gold (920), Roman Red (923), Coronna Cream (925), Anniversary Gold (927), Ermine White (936), Adobe Beige (938), Satin Silver (940), Shadow Gray (941), and Honduras Maroon (948).

Two-tone color combinations included Ermine White/Tuxedo Black, Ermine White/Surf Green, Ermine White/Laurel Green, Ermine White/Midnight Blue, Ermine White/Roman Red, Ermine White/Satin Silver, Surf Green/Laurel, Silver Blue/Midnight Blue, Twilight Turquoise/Twilight Blue, and Adobe Beige/Autumn Gold. Interior colors were Blue, Green, Red, Fawn, Aqua, and Gold. 1962 Chevrolet Impala convertible tops were normally black or white and color keyed interiors were a mix of cloth and vinyl.