Why Supernatural’s 1967 Chevrolet Impala Is a Demon Hunter’s Dream
Saving people. Hunting things. The family business. And what’s a family business without a company car?
In Supernatural, a television show that follows two brothers—Sam and Dean—as they hunt demons, consort with awkward angels, and save the world ten times over, that company car is none other than a 1967 Chevrolet Impala. Baby, as Dean calls her, is practically another member of the Supernatural cast. Yeah, she doesn’t exactly have lines—but the rumbling of her engine might as well be spoken word.
Supernatural‘s 1967 Chevy Impala is an icon for the show’s fans
Honestly, it doesn’t feel like a Supernatural episode until she makes her debut. Think back to season six when Dean was “retired.” The Impala was under a tarp and it just felt like part of his soul was missing (and not in the Sam way). Then, in season seven, when the Impala was entirely out of the picture for numerous episodes—well, words don’t even describe the feeling of seeing Sam and Dean in any other car.
But back to the matter at hand.
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As a key component of the family business, it’s important to think of why Baby is the best possible weapon a hunter can have. So, I’m looking to delve into the nitty-gritty of what makes the Impala such a demon hunter’s dream—so hold on to your pie.
Beastly Power
The rumble of Dean’s Impala is like nothing else. It’s the type of sound that will shake you to the core, while also giving you an odd feeling of comfort. Many a supernatural being have peed themselves at that sound. It’s a battle cry that isn’t easily forgotten—and that’s all thanks to a 502 cubic-inch big-block V8 engine.
Capable of churning out a healthy 550 horsepower, Baby is pure muscle. Chasing down leads and narrowly avoiding death is what the Impala is good at doing, which really does make it the perfect car for Sam and Dean’s lifestyle. Yeah, it has a demonic fuel efficiency rating, but honestly—isn’t all that power and suave style worth it?
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Convenient Storage
When you’re a demon hunter, you always have to be prepared for every and all supernatural beings. Ghosts, demons, leviathan—each take a certain weapon to kill it. And you can’t exactly carry that all around in a backpack. That’s why it’s important to plenty of cargo space in your car.
This is one aspect of the Impala that truly shines. Big enough to hide a body and painted with a variety of wards and traps, the Impala’s trunk is a masterpiece by itself. Add the hidden compartment that makes it look like a normal trunk when it’s closed, and you’ve got the storage equivalent of Michelangelo’s David. The boys can always find what they need in their trunk, no matter what they’re coming up against. It truly has no equal.
A Bit of the Boys
The Impala might seem like any other car to an outsider, but for Sam and Dean, it’s a history. As the prophet Chuck pointed out in the finale of season five (also known as “Swan Song”), Baby has everything a regular car does—with the addition of a few other things.
There’s an army man Sam crammed into an ashtray when he was younger. LEGOs that Dean shoved into the vents that are still there. Bits and pieces of the boys’ life together are scattered throughout the car, making the Impala a rolling museum of the Winchesters’ lives.
It is because the Impala has a bit of the boys quite literally inside it that this car is truly the perfect demon-hunting machine. It’s the site of many conversations, both about various jobs and about each other. The Impala is where a lot of deep, meaningful conversations happen; and it’s a true symbol of the two brothers’ dedication to each other.
Chuck was right when he said Lucifer should care about the car.
It’s hard to imagine the Winchesters in any vehicle other than the Impala. Can you imagine if they had driven a Prius? Unfathomable.
A born-and-raised Jersey girl, Caitlin Moran has somehow found herself settled in Edinburgh, Scotland. When she’s not spending her days trying to remember which side of the road to drive on, Caitlin enjoys getting down and nerdy with English. She continues to combine her love of writing with her love of cars for The News Wheel, while also learning more about the European car market—including the fact that the Seat brand is pronounced “se-at” not “seat” as you might think. See more articles by Caitlin.