For their first major makeovers since 1977, in 1980 Chevrolet repackaged the Impala and Caprice and declared them “right for the ’80s.”

For the 1977 model year, the Chevrolet Impala and Caprice were treated to their most radical changes yet, as nearly a foot of length and 700 lbs were carved out of the General Motors B-body platform. The engineers went after weight a second time for the 1980 refresh, managing to find another 100 lbs through the greater use of aluminum. Meanwhile, the Chevy stylists were able to reduce aerodynamic drag and develop a more boxy, formal look at the same time. The styling changes were indeed right for the ’80s, but speaking just for ourselves, we still admire the ’77-’79 coupe greenhouse with its bent-glass backlite.

For 1980, the Impala/Caprice also ditched the venerable inline-six base engine, replacing it with Chevy’s 90-degree V6. Displacing 3.8 liters (229 CID), the V6 was essentially the 305 CID small-block Chevy V8 with two cylinders amputated, using a split-journal, 18-degree offset crankshaft to quell vibration. Its 115 hp was not that impressive, but the EPA highway fuel economy rating of 26 mpg was. The other available engines included small-block V8s of 267, 305, and 350 cubic inches and up to 155 hp. California cars got the Buick V6 as the base engine, while for the wagons, GM’s diesel V8 was an option. For the story from Chevrolet’s perspective, check out the video below.