The Chevy Impala SS and Mercury Marauder are classic American sleepers
For a beautiful time in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, automakers had imagination, family cars looked stunning, and if you had the extra coin, you could spec them with some real power under the hood.
Fast forward to the 1990s, and most of the excitement had long since left the family-hauling slice of the new-car market. We were in full transition mode, from an era of boxes on wheels to one of jellybeans on wheels. Sure, there were still fun cars to be had, but most of them weren’t exactly practical to own and drive on a daily basis.
As the decade came to a close and SUVs and crossovers replaced full-size cars as family haulers, there were still a few holdouts roaming the streets—big, V-8-powered, rear-wheel-drive machines. Your Grand Marquis, Crown Victorias, and Caprices, even the Roadmaster. They came with a live rear axle and enough room for the family, and they made for perfectly boring commuter cars.
Though the segment slowly died out, two platforms soldiered on—the GM B-body and Ford’s Panther. Both sported underpinnings dating back to the late 1970s, with enough design changes and drivetrain updates over the years to keep them relevant. That said, enthusiasts and people who remembered big-bodied performance from decades before weren’t paying much attention to either platform.
Then came two swan song specials. Today we owe some thanks to those performance die hards within the industry who took two of the blandest family cars on earth and turned them into a duo we never asked for but needed so badly: The Chevrolet Impala SS and the Mercury Marauder.
Chevrolet Impala SS
General Motors gave the full-size B-body a total redesign in 1991. Visually, the changes were night and day, with the old sharp-edged boxy body giving way to a whale on wheels. But that’s where the differences ended. Underneath, the chassis remained nearly identical to the one introduced in 1977. A year later, however, that would all change, when Chevrolet introduced its Impala SS concept at the Detroit auto show. The brainchild of designer Jon Moss, the concept took a standard Caprice, blacked out all the trim, and stuffed a 510-cubic-inch V-8 engine under the hood. By 1994, the first Impala SS production cars were rolling off the assembly line, 25 years after the name had been canceled.
As with any production car, the final product was different from the concept. The big-block was replaced by the powerful-for-the-time 350-cubic-inch LT1 V-8, which made 260 hp. An upgraded suspension came from the 9C1 package used for police cars, a limited-slip differential was installed, and the rear brakes were upgraded to discs. Exterior designers did the best they could with what they had to work with, which simply meant a total lack of chrome, a set of big five-spoke wheels, and a lowered stance. It was all just menacing enough.
Performance was decent for the time, with 0 to 60 mph coming in around 7 seconds—not too shabby for a two-ton monster. By today’s standards, of course, such a figure can be achieved by most daily drivers. But in the context of the era, it was some feat. Sales topped 69,000 units in just three years of production.
These Impalas are relatively robust cars. That’s the benefit of that tried-and-true chassis. In fact, the biggest gripes are common to the LT1 engine. The Optispark ignition system sits under the water pump and can be problematic—and difficult to replace. By this point, however, most cars with the issue have already had it addressed with upgraded parts. The only other glaring issue is the car’s interior, as GM interior quality from the 1990s is not great, and the leather upholstery wears quickly. A low-mile, low-use example is the best way around this issue; otherwise, an interior refresh might be in the cards.
Mercury Marauder
Based on the fourth generation of the Ford Panther platform, the Mercury Marauder follows a similar trajectory to that of the Impala SS, which preceded it by a decade. The Panther is another full-frame, full-size, rear-wheel-drive platform dating to the late 1970s. Much like the GM B-body, it was also popular for underpinning full-size commuter cars as well as fleet and police cars.
The Marauder made its first appearance at the 2002 Chicago auto show as a concept car sporting a supercharged 4.6-liter V-8. Sadly, like the Impala SS concept, the Marauder would be toned down somewhat when it entered production in 2003. Similar to the Impala SS improvements, the Grand Marquis–based Marauder came with a monochromatic paint scheme, an upgraded suspension from the Crown Victoria’s Police Interceptor package, and a stronger driveline.
Output was rated at 302 hp, thanks to the four-valve 4.6-liter Modular V-8 also used in the Mustang Mach 1. The rear axle had a 3.55:1 ratio with a limited-slip differential, versus the Impala’s 3.08:1, and the Marauder tipped the scales at 4200 pounds. It made the sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, half a second slower than the Impala, despite having the horsepower and gearing advantage. Unfortunately for enthusiasts, the Marauder was canceled after just two years and production of just over 11,000 cars.
Reliability isn’t an issue in these cars. Like the Impala, the Marauder sits on a proven platform, so serious issues are not common. Most problems center on issues common to the Ford Modular engine—coolant leaks and misfires due to compression loss. As with the Impala’s LT1, by this point, such issues have likely been addressed. Other reported pitfalls have to do with blistering paint and headlight malfunctions.
What’s the market for these cars?
Digging into who is buying these cars yielded some surprising results. Being so similar in styling and purpose, it would be easy to assume that both cars have the same type of buyer. That’s not the case. We found that the overwhelming majority of Impala SS owners are Gen X, while Baby Boomers prefer the Marauder, with a nearly equal amount of interest in both cars from Millennials. It is also worth pointing out that with more than six times the number of Impalas produced, there is far more activity surrounding the Impala.
Values, however, are neck and neck, with the Impala being the slightly more expensive option. A #2 condition (Excellent) Impala SS will run you under $30,000, while a driver-quality #3 (Good) car is still in the mid-teens. Looking at the Marauder, a #2 condition (Excellent) example will cost a hair over $20,000, while a driver-quality #3 (Good) car can be had for around $12,000.
All things considered, this is a lot of bang for the buck to get into a collector car. Granted, by today’s standards, each looks far more badass than they are fast, but both were considered legit performance cars of their time, and they will still turn heads. Even when you’re just out running errands with the family.
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Just me but I always thought that year of Impala was absolutely butt-ugly.
I’m with you. Those years of Impala and Caprice in my opinion were a major step off for Chevrolet.
It’s not you. It’s butt ugly
Amen!
Same! One the ugliest ones GM ever built, IMO, aside from the Transport and another econobox whose name escapes me at the moment … was all plastic on the sides, looked like it got hit in the ass by a steamroller on the assembly line …
I owned new a 1994 and a 1996 Impala SS and a 2003 Marauder, The Mercury was hands down better in every way particularly the transmission. The Impalas would kick down on the slightest grade, the interiors were cheap. The problem with the Marauder is the tires are different front to back and unique to the Marauder with not a lot of units sold. I kept the Marauder 10 years and was having trouble finding tires then.
Matter of opinion, of course, but I thought they were rather attractive – much better than the original 1991 redesign, and certainly better than the square 1980’s versions. The SS trim, and especially those wheels, made it that much better.
Me too! We called them inverted bath tubs.
The Impala was ugly, but the Caprice was seriously ugly. The Marauder wins on looks alone. I’m surprised the Impala has more Gen X interest, as it always looked old-man to me.
Not as old-man as the square Marauder looked (and I do like its looks, but I am old).
Fox body Mustang V8 would be them both
I have a 95 caprice my self and will be in my possession until I’m in the ground. I’ve done a lot of performance upgrades to it. Definite sleeper because 5.0 mustangs/cobra’s and Hemi challengers/chargers are surprised when they’re seeing taillights. One of the best looking big car around. So when you pull up to one thinking an easy win, think twice or you’ll be on a “so he thinks he’s fast video.”
LOL, that last line was pretty funny (O:
You completely missed that the Marauder was literally the Crown Victoria LX Sport that ran from 2001-2008, but with the Cobra engine, Marquis front clip (with CV side trim) and different wheels and tires. Even used the same Performance Package suspension, driveline (NOT the police parts, as you stated), and all body-color trim. Even had CV trunk trim and taillights! The LX Sport was created to literally revive the sporty big car idea, complete with the same buckets and console as the later Marauder. Mercury also offered a stealthier LX Sport clone with the Grand Marquis LSE, with no visible exterior differences but the badge. It did not do well.
You are missing one VERY important difference…………….something not shared with any of those of the Marquis or CV……….a FULL BOXED FRAME ! I didn’t know the Cobra motor was a 4.6 Interesting.
The horsepower never changed on the Impala. It was 260 for all three years.
Just double checked Chevrolet’s marketing material and you are correct. We’ve made the correction, thank you.
2008-9 Pontiac G8 GT. 360 hp in a 4 door grocery getter.
I bought my ’96 Impala SS about 25 years ago from the original owner. In showroom condition, I have kept her garaged except for monthly cruises. Still get looks and compliments every trip. She and my ’96 Ford F250 Diesel 4-WD will be around for our Kids or Grand Kids!
I’d pick the Mercury Marauder, hands down.
Local guy has 650hp supercharged original engine Marauder that runs 10’s.
Me too
I remember the Impalas of that era. The NY State Police used them for many years and the road guys loved them.
I miss the “old days”. You could have so much fun with cars. I bought a new 1977 Buick Lesabre Custom 2 dr coupe in 1977. After a few years a friend helped me turn it into a great sleeper. Swapped out the 301 V8 and THM 200. Installed a mildly modified Pontiac 400, 350 Turbo from Fairbanks Racing Automatics down in Stamford, Ct. Pulled the 10 bolt posi rear end and replaced the 2.41 rear gears with 3.23:1. Everything bolted right in. RIgged up a full dual exhaust (stock mufflers, no cat), a set of wheels and we were off to the races. Drag races. Literally. I had more fun messing about with the 70’s and 80’s Corvette crowd. Nothing ever broke, it was bulletproof.
I sold it about 15 years ago. Hope it’s still out there somewhere….
2009 G8 GXP, 415hp from a LS3 and Brembo brakes. It does a 13.0 qtr off the showroom floor. It’ll smoke a Mustang GT with 4 guys and four bags of clubs in the trunk. Don’t ask how I know.
I know this will ne unpopular, but full size performance sedans are still made, just not in America. Mercedes has the AMG powered line of S sedans (even the basic S550 is no slouch) and BMW has their 7 series. Admittedly, these are 90k+ cars but when a new full size GMC pickup costs 6 figures, the German luxury sedans start to look more affordable.
Actually, there are still 2 American made performance sedans (but going away next year). The Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger with the various Hemi V8’s. I have a 2019 300S with the 5.7 Hemi package, and it’s a lot of fun to drive. Very reliable so far.
My ’09 R/T Charger is a definite sleeper. Stage 2 Cam swap, 1 7/8 Kooks long tubes, Holley Sniper intake, ported heads, Hellcat oil pump, 92 mm throttle body, CAI from Mopar, Flowmaster cats and a Getrag rear end. Tuned for E-85, shes pushing over 450 whp.
The local carmax is offering a 2013 BMW Alpina B7 for the 500+ hp crowd.
The Marauder was one of the vehicles in our test fleet which we got to happily take out for a few days at a time. It’s signature was it’s 2 long black stripes in my driveway.
I had a 96 Roadmaster wagon. Now that was a sleeper. It had the same LT-1 but put power to the road better being a wagon. Nobody ever expected to be smoked by a wood grain sided behemoth. Oh, it also could carry 8 people and 4×8 drywall flat.
Now we’re talkin’ “Sleeper”. Just a family wagon with a raging powerplant
Ya. RM was a bargain about 20 years go. Such a cool car. Mostly old people bought them so low miles cars that were babies were cheap and easy to find.
I had a 92 Roadmaster wagon and I was about to say the same thing. Best car I ever owned.
I hope you men 8 people *or* 4×8 plywood. I don’t care how big you think that car was, it wouldn’t be fun at all with 7 other people and one or more sheets of plywood. 😁
Actually 9 people if 2 shared a seatbelt in the back back. Still have my 92 and sadly, only 180 horse. Still brings home the 4X8 sheets and tows the boat. Turned 100K just last month
I love the big, full size american performance sedans but I think you missed a great one. Although is does have some european roots the Chrysler 300 with the hemi is quite the sleeper itself.
Hagerty missed the Bigfoot in the full-sized sedans from that era. Anyone remember the first-third gen Ford Taurus SHO? Not your grandma’s Taurus.
The Taurus SHO was a great car; I prefer the first two gens as the third gen looked like a fish (though a fast one given its V8 power). But it’s a mid-size performance car and this article was about full-sized performance cars.
Man, I have been watching comments for over 20+ years. People STILL can’t get over the ‘fish’ look. We owners lovingly call them guppies. Mine was built 27 years ago, and happily the first registered owner ((O:
I agree and the Taurus SHO 1st gen was a true advance in engineering. And, it came with a manual shift!!!
PROUD owner of a GEN 3, the rare doggie. Owned 25 years now!! No visual mods, still looks like new, turns heads at the car shows because you just don’t see them any more. Most LIMITED production of all the gens.
The Roadmaster was the REAL Sleeper. The Chevy was butt-ugly, and the Marauder looked too much like a cop car- hence neither was a “sleeper”. The point of being a sleeper is to go unnoticed until you want it…