Gabriel Iglesias Showcases Pristine 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS on Jay Leno's Garage
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For comedian Gabriel Iglesias, car collecting is more than just a hobby—it's a way to relive his youth. The stand-up star, also known as 'Fluffy,' has been steadily building a collection of '90s dream cars, with his latest gem being a 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS. Naturally, he couldn't resist taking it to Jay Leno's Garage, where the two car lovers bonded over the legendary big-body muscle sedan.
The 1994-1996 Impala SS remains a cult classic, blending Corvette-powered performance with the spacious practicality of a full-size sedan. Its LT1 5.7-liter V8, derived from the Corvette C4, delivered 260 horsepower—modest by today's standards but impressive for a family-friendly cruiser of its era. The Special Ride and Handling suspension, monochrome blacked-out styling, and center console-mounted shifter added to its appeal, making it a standout in Chevrolet's lineup.
Iglesias' particular Impala SS is a rarity. While over 41,000 units were produced in 1996, many were driven extensively or modified over the years. His example, however, is practically untouched, with under 1,000 miles on the odometer. Even the original window sticker remains attached, and the factory-fresh gray leather interior is still wrapped in protective plastic.
During their time together, Leno, a well-known car enthusiast, took the Impala SS for a spirited test drive. Though Leno typically prefers pre-1975 classics due to California's strict emissions regulations, he praised the Impala's handling and V8 power. Iglesias, meanwhile, was visibly nervous as Leno pushed the car to its limits, thankful that the protective plastic was still covering the carpeting.
The 1996 Impala SS represents the end of an era. It was one of the last body-on-frame, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered American sedans, sharing its fate with the Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac Fleetwood as GM shifted focus to SUVs. Yet, as Iglesias points out, it's a car that still commands attention on the road—not forgotten, just rare.
For Fluffy, this Impala SS isn't just another car in his collection—it's a time capsule from his high school years, a testament to the golden age of American muscle sedans.
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