Tim Allen's 1996 LT5 Impala SS

Tired of pulling up to special events in the customary limousine, Tim worked in partnership with Chevy's Jon Moss and Wheel to Wheel's Jeff Beitzel to transform a 1996 Impala SS into a black, menacingly fast but also supremely comfortable one-of-a-kind ride. In addition to Tim's exterior and interior aesthetic modifications, this SS holds a DOHC 32-valve Corvette ZR1 engine and delivers 446 hp at 5500 rpm. The rear also includes a "Binford 6100" badge. (Binford is the hypothetical tool manufacturer from Home Improvement's "Tool Time" show.)
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[@GregSr]

I bought my 96 Impala SS new. I still have it. It was my daily driver until I started working from home. Now it's a garage queen that only comes out when it's time to haul the grandkids around. It has 317,000 miles.

[@hafablake3599]

Can I buy it?

[@Highlander1432]

I love to hear stories like this These are real classics now

[@catsaretasty]

😂how many transmissions

[@josels1292]

Might be worth more than what you paid for it.

[@GregSr]

@@catsaretasty 1st transmission made it to 270,000 miles. Replaced the engine around 250,000 miles. Rebuilt the rear end around 280,000 miles. The car now has 322,000 miles.

[@mikevalle3107]

"Upgraded leather seats" even Tim Allen knew those stock seats were gonna tear

[@dariog36th]

They looked like Fleetwood seats

[@LexNatural]

Yeah I was going to say that upgraded leather looked like stock roadmaster seats.

[@DC322]

The last true RWD Impala SS.

[@Usmc913]

This man really was a roll model for a entire generation of men growing up.

[@jackkurof512]

Not anything but pure masculine energy 😂 and he used to sell dope

[@vladdracul1742]

What? A Coke Dealer? He's a Rat Bastard.

[@Highlander1432]

He's cool

[@Deyo99]

wow didnt know Tim Allen was such a car guy. Props to him.

[@willsco76]

Classic Tim Allen. Hasn't changed in 2019

[@dm95422]

Never will. We need more like him !!!

[@vladdracul1742]

Yeah, He Still Sucks

[@okboomer257]

the ctsv of 96

[@rb25panda87]

greatest comment ever !

[@Ricobaca]

Rigo Mata yep

[@mattjohnston7686]

I think it was faster than the cady

[@Jerkwad152]

LT5 V8, OMG, I've wanted one for my Chevy Silverado for years! They're engineering genius, and should be made today.

[@chocodiledundee1]

I always loved those 90's Impalas , the wheels for those very one Impalas used to be made here in Adelaide , Australia where I live .

[@dariog36th]

The wheels are the reason only 6303 impalas were made in 1994. There was a shortage of wheels.

[@chocodiledundee1]

@@dariog36th Cool so they became more special more unique more sort after ....

[@dariog36th]

@@chocodiledundee1 yes the 94 has the lowest production number. In 95 they made over 20,000 of them and in 96 they made over 40,000. So the 94 is the rarest of them all. But I believe the one everybody wants is the 96 because of the floor shifter and the analog gauges.

[@chocodiledundee1]

@@dariog36th Dário I love your work man 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼☝🏼🙌🏼👌🏼💪🏼👍🏼why more people ain’t like you brother, passion , love and knowledge thank I love the info , all the best brother geee I love to have a 94 SS omg

[@mattjohnston7686]

Caprice and Impala, my 2 favorite cars.😁😁❤❤

[@mattjohnston7686]

I am not a Chevy guy, but I would drive this.

[@baddonkey6876]

Tim still has some badass cars

[@notchback93]

I remember when spike tv was TNN it was a lifetime ago

[@TheMrmmkkpro]

Nice, just got done putting headers on my 1990 ZR-1, cool seeing that impala SS with an LT5. My dad owned a 1965 impala ss 396 turbo 400 back in the day. Love me some impalas. 👍👍🏁🏁

[@BlackedoutZR1]

I remember seeing this in an issue of Motor Trend in a Vic's grocery store back around '96. Never knew they had it on M/T TV.

[@user-cm1di8iy4b]

My neighbor had a black 96 SS. I loved it and washed it everyday.

[@masterknox]

450HP was a HUGE number back in that time. U can mess with the LT1 or LT4 to give u that HP

[@dariog36th]

Simply add a super charger and you could probably get 400 hp from a LT1

[@anthonylaudano9751]

BACK IN THE 90S THIS CAR WAS DOUBLE THE POWER OF MY 87 MUSTANG GT OF WHICH BACK IN 95 WAS CONSIDERED A VERY FAST CAR AND YES I STILL HAVE MY FOXBODYS A 92 LX 5.0 MY 87 T TOPS MUSTANG GT AND MY VIBRANT RED 93 COBRA AND I LOVE ALL 3.

[@936Holdin]

@@dariog36th from the research I’ve done it doesn’t seem like an lt1 would be able to handle all that especially a super Charger without completely rebuilding the motor

[@123sactown]

I still love these cars! Agree! Best sedan ever!

[@pontiacGXPfan]

I still read this magazine to this day.And I remember there being an article about a modified Cadillac DTS he owned

[@camaroman101]

currently at 93k miles and still going strong

[@MarioDiaz-fz3vh]

Still tuning in 2024!

[@jerrypaisley1353]

i want to know if Tim still has that car

[@skullettrump3424]

@Zack Johnston fuck off Cyrus.

[@paulcabinatan2390]

He does. It was briefly shown on Jay Leno’s garage the other day

[@willsmith8586]

Yes

[@jamesmcginnity1874]

I HOPE SO.

[@hondamanvtec2894]

@Zack Johnston you failed grade 10 Fu.ck o.ff

[@trainmanjosair]

$46,000,000 for an Impala? Now Tim is a man that LOVES American Cars!

[@roddydykes7053]

Think he might’ve been joking?

[@MegaLittlepro]

600 Horsepower to the crank. 454WHP..that stands for Wheel Horsepower. The energy transfer from the motor->tranny->driveshaft->differential..that's why it is less than he said. Hope that helped.

[@Myrdoc]

That's funny how 454 hp was insane in 1996. Nowadays 4 cylinders are pumping out over 300 hp.

[@moparmaniac21]

450+ horse from a naturally aspirated V8 is still very impressive. Those 300 horse 4's you're talking about are using turbos.

[@chadw8481]

moparmaniac21 there are n/a 4 bangers out puting over 300whp

[@iant720]

N/A Pontiac Fiero Indy Car made 300hp from a 2.5 4 banger! Back in 85!

[@AlwaysSullied]

Ian Thompson That was for Indy... The production repros only made 91 horses.

[@1987chickenman]

Myrdoc Technology man.. It's crazy ain't it..

[@92ASC]

the LT1 was no slouch though, it had loads of torque and it wasn't unheard of for those old Impala SS's to hit 150+ mph since they weren't governed

[@dariog36th]

They’re also easy to beef up and can take an amazing amount of abuse. You can bore and stroke it, or you can just add a super charger and you’ve got yourself super car performance .

[@Hbk1984oh]

To the guy who said ls7 I would agree except the ls7 wasnt out when they built this Impala SS for Tim Allen

[@deerdestroyer2009]

"I'm addicted to cars...I'm thinking of checking into the Henry Ford clinic" -Tim Allen aka Tim "the tool man" Taylor.

[@MVPgoalie]

nice, you learn something new every day, yes i was referring to the basic big block 427.

[@187onasimp]

Damn I remember this I was a kid when this first popped up on tv. Funny how much modding cars has changed.

[@karynfelix-the-Cat]

Wow...What an Impala!

[@marioiacolucci]

I have plastic model of this

[@jtb1990419]

"It just needs more power, so I rewired it." - Tim Allen

[@94SexyStang]

Love my LT motors, absolutely bullet proof. Got 170k on my camaro and that fucker runs CRAZY strong...never had an engine run that tight after so many years...never had to touch anything on it.

[@iant720]

Right? I haven't done anything to ours besides o2 sensors, and intake gaskets. Ours is in our Roadmaster, I commented above^^ now has 220k and still a daily driver. Along with copious burnouts ;) solid engines!!!!

[@DeerHunterPaintbaler]

I have 194k on my 454

[@dm95422]

More power.....Arrggggh Arrrrgh Arrrgggh !!! Long Live Tim Allen !!

[@HatchetSwinginDrumma]

i like the wrapped arm rest and black switches on the door. i might go do that now

[@TONYMONTANASE]

WOOW Z06!! AND A 3.8 V6?? YOU ARE AMAZING DUDE!!

[@iant720]

I love our LT1 Roadmaster a Wagon, we use it as a hauler for art, averages 25-27 mpg on the highway loaded! It floats down the road, has 190k, original except for a rear bags, and lowered the front end. It's a great car! Still does burnouts all day long ;). I loved driving a north star caddie, can't imagine a 450hp LT5!

[@94SexyStang]

still drive my LT1 camaro, 170k, replaced everything accept the engine, lol.

[@FortyTwoAnswerToEverything]

I miss my 95. I never got to do the thiings I wanted like bagging it. Had full exhaust though, with Afterburner headers.

[@EnligUlv]

If Darth Vader drove a car, this would’ve been it.

[@torque-ej4nu]

Funny you say that... one of the magazine adds for the impala ss was a side pic of a black one with dark tinted windows and simply said "Vader, your car has arrived"

[@1badvic358]

@@torque-ej4nu I thought the Grand National was Vader’s car

[@torque-ej4nu]

@@1badvic358 www.google.com/search?q=vader,+your+car.is+ready+impala+ss+add&client=ms-android-verizon&prmd=isvn&sxsrf=ALeKk03_cdE5-nJX_J3XR4BDdh4gyzhlbQ:1608958419199&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCiqOY7ertAhXhtlkKHXNqAkoQ_AUoAXoECAMQAQ&biw=360&bih=560&dpr=3#imgrc=tWjgNkN9Bk4RbM

[@torque-ej4nu]

@@1badvic358 that's the link to the ad

[@1983jblack]

@@1badvic358 The Grand National GNX was it

[@CJColvin]

This could definitely be the Hellcat eater.

[@kingwarking1295]

I wish but he said it's pumping out 454 hp and the non red-eye hellcats makes 707hp

[@MrMpm3001]

It’s actually 600 crank 454whp.

[@MrMpm3001]

@KINGWARKING 12 3:35 it’s 600hp at the crank.

[@jasonelliott9762]

I remember watching this on New Years of 2001.

[@ldwayne1953]

My favorite car 1996 Impala SS

[@marioiacolucci]

I have the plastic model car!

[@marioiacolucci]

I have a plastic model of the impala ss

[@holly3184]

I'd take the'94-'96, not to picky. Already have the '62, plus a'67 Chevelle wagon and '68 Chevelle2 door hard top. Not quite as nice but acquired w/o having to look over my back!

[@johnbeer5242]

95 I like first year of the cherry color and the gauge cluster nice too and 94s are more rare they all look the same but there is alot more 96s out there but if I wanted a black impala ss il get the 94 cause there is not too many of those and if u like the shifter on the floor u can easily install it

[@yungjug]

Beardio black dudes ruined it for white people who don’t got they shit together??? 🤣🤣🤣. U get the DUMBASS of the month award

[@NakedChicken69]

This is still badass

[@tonyjones5062]

Very wonderful my friend

[@hondamanvtec2894]

One of the few Real car people from hollywood

[@dariog36th]

I’ve been watching Jay Leno’s garage and there’s more car guys in Hollywood than I used to think. Of course they aren’t gear heads that do their own work but they know what they’re talking about.

[@ferrelbird806]

I have this video ! And I watch it OFTEN I can't get enough of the MOTOR REVS Like Tim Allen . RRRRRRRRR !!!! Major REV BUMPS RRR!!!

[@LuckyGarageUSA]

Don't you wish the Old Car and Driver came back?

[@uptownsamcv]

I wonder if anyone has put an LS9 into one

[@kamovn8122]

Going to

[@bakerjoe6620]

I did

[@kriswindmueller8465]

@@bakerjoe6620 I've been trying to find someone who's actually done it. I've got a 96 Impala and have an LS9 that will be going in with a T56 Magnum. Where did you end up mounting the dry sump? And did you have any clearance issues with the SC and stock hood?

[@kriswindmueller8465]

@@kamovn8122 did you end up putting an LS9 in your impala?

[@vaughnkopacz2196]

never knew that the "tool man taylor" had one of these impala mod and in his collection!

[@eqwanox]

wow,, i remember seeing this on TNN over 10 years ago when i was looking for my first car. all my friends had honda's. anyway, ive been driving caprice's ever sinse. who knew that the caprice would end up being so popular in southern culture. well, i live in the boston area and this is what turned me on to the GM b-bodies. thanks Tim

[@MrMoneyMFMitch]

Don't you DARE compare a caprice to a impala

[@mattjohnston7686]

ok Santa, you paying attention 96 Chevy Impala SS for Matthew for Christmas this year lol

[@MrMisanthrope1RBjr]

lt5 designed by lotus manufactured by murcury marine, shipped to bowling green corvette factory,

[@jdrok5026]

MrMisanthrope1 designed by lotus and Chevrolet

[@tank2g2]

Well yeah they owned Lotus at the time

[@roddydykes7053]

Could the ZZ Top guitar riff be any louder? Or longer?

[@RepoManInIndy]

Damn.. That's impressive

[@reidsmith3002]

enkei ... which is a very small japanese man.. LOLOLO

[@howardrodriguez9831]

I wonder if he still owns this SS impala.

[@Leevylenti]

TIM I want this car!!!!by the way I love Benford.

[@dickweed933]

i own a 95 impala ss and i love it very dependable

[@jeanbrimmer1129]

I miss my Impala ss.watching this video makes me sick.damn.

[@METALOZON]

Gorgeous looking car. Makes you really see how ugly the modern cars are.

[@emilianocruz11]

Best impala ss ever made

[@neal6473]

I agree.

[@johnbecay6887]

so what'll it do in the quarter mile?

[@kavispoole9562]

That Impala is probably worth 35 grand.. pending on the mileage!

[@neal6473]

More than that if the mileage is low and the car is still in great condition.

[@ikazy13]

Likewise, mine is garage stored but I had it out and about this summer. What a great car. Almost 60,000 miles :[

[@ravenpiece]

10 years later, how many miles are on it now?

[@ikazy13]

@@ravenpiece Not many more. It's been sitting mostly. Can't believe it's been 10 years since I made this post xD

[@ravenpiece]

@@ikazy13 hahah time flies doesn't it? If it's even close to 60k miles that is still incredibly low. Bet it's clean

[@unclebob7052]

Reminds me of so many holden VN ss you see in Melbourne

[@marioiacolucci]

Was the this car like the one Tim Allen had available for the public to buy?

[@ZenZill]

I'd steal that beauty, jesus, one hell of a drive before prison.

[@moobutt]

The last year of body on frame RWD V8 awesomeness

[@dooberdave219]

96' lt1 police .....best car ever .

[@arcadiagreen150]

1:20 454 horses 3:45 600 horsepower 🤔🤔🤔

[@ulyssesubias2326]

Car guys like to fuck with the numbers

[@dodgeguyz]

That’s GM for ya!

[@MyCatInABox]

Uh...yeah-It's my understanding that Marauders aren't the tire-fryers they're made out to be. They were right on par with the 94~96 Impala SS. BTW, the Car and Driver issue that had the info about Tim Allen's SS, had 3 special Impala SS' they tested: a stock one, one with a T56 and cam, and a MONSTER SS with an 8.4 liter mated to a 4L80-E.

[@camirocz]

I m 52 yrs old my friend its not unusual to have a couple of cars at that age.Lol

[@jayburgos8651]

What are those wheels? Size and every iformation please!!

[@siberiantaurus8853]

I can't wait to get my 96 impala ss

[@paddywagons104]

thats one sweet ass impala ss

[@cityboithump]

Tim the tool man Taylor is a bad ass

[@jovanmartinez1188]

Beastly car

[@eldo59]

Got the Binford badge on it, LOL! MORE POWER EEEROH! ROH! ROH! ROH!

[@kirk0respite]

i guess he really means it when he says "too infinty and beyond!" =P

[@peterplaneman]

They should get him in top gear

[@jimclarke1108]

Perfect family sedan ))

[@captainobvious5993]

Who's gonna be able to use a laptop computer while I'm driving. They're gonna be holding on to the oh shit handles

[@shepherdjohnson5381]

That's badass!!

[@MrChristianbowman82]

That car is gangsta

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

so what does it run????

[@jeffcolt9185]

What was the 1/4

[@Spahi77]

Whats mini tubing?

[@pizzamon795]

Is it the 6-speed or the automatic?

[@simpleman72685]

I can't believe someone let Tim drive that car!!!!

[@Alexs23743]

*HOME IMPROVEMENT INTENSIFIES*

[@MrHamchuck36]

The reality of the situation is common. He like other rich people can pay to have someone build an engine and install it. The rest of us, at least those of us who are inclined to do it ourselves, cannot afford to do what Tim does. There is a certain and large amount of pride that you get when you do it yourself. That is the difference in just owning another car or owning something that has a bit of your soul in it.

[@handledright]

That engine is rarer than a hen's tooth. The LT5 was one of the shortest run engines GM ever produced. He said he personally did the custom transmission to get it to bolt up correctly. So he did a lot of work to make that vehicle as it sits in the video.

[@moonbeamskies3346]

I had a 1996 Impala SS and I swapped the LT1 engine for the 200 hp 4.3 liter V8 with single exhaust. I paid out the wazoo to have it done.

[@Uncle05Sam]

Wow, the 4l60E in my '96 Caprice had 105k on it and it still shifted perfect?? Please tell me more about how they only last 20,000 miles

[@P1983sche]

Uncle05Sam The 4L60E is bullet proof if you take care of it and do the maintenance on it. My Dad has 285k clocked in on his and it shifts like butter to this day.

[@josh9c118]

I have a 96. Love the car. That being said. The 4l60e was a weak spot of the car. It wasn’t really capable of handling the torque these cars had. I had mine rebuilt around the 100k. It was rebuilt to the 4l65e specs. However, I know of lots of cases wherein people are still on their original tranny at 200+k. Many people would say the Achilles heal on these cars were the distributor. But I’m still on the original opti. So you never know. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Cheers

[@imserious2187]

I'd still love to have that car, different wheels tho

[@janeanderson7122]

imserious2187 Ah, they sort of worked around the Chevy crap, but I guess you figured that out. I am the original owner of my 1996 Impala SS, always garaged, all original, 27,7775 miles on od. I bought it for a collector car, now, after 24 years, they are wildly popular /go figure.

[@kirwankars8597]

These cars are perfect. Except for the distributors. LS engines were way better.

[@wvangus82]

Amen! LS engines are becoming the way of the world these days and for good reason.

[@1987chickenman]

angus smith You say that, yet Cheverolet is going back to the iron LT series. How unfortunate is that..

[@iant720]

The LT series was still great and hugely innovative at the time. It's nothing like a sbc. I agree the LS engines are better, but don't hate on the LT's.

[@1987chickenman]

Far from hating. I hear they changed a lot of the weak points that made the LT's hated. So only time will tell I guess, right.

[@cumsockxbt]

Opitspark is the biggest piece of shit ever!

[@koraykumru1295]

I have a caprice wagon with an lt1. Not the same, but I love that friggin car.

[@rocky3330]

That car is not slow :)

[@Martin_400ss]

does it have a supercharger?

[@mattjohnston7686]

Dam that sounds good😍😁

[@yeathatsright1034]

The ultimate gm muscle car

[@anthonyzarlenga5282]

Show & Go