The Legacy of "Supernatural's" 1967 Chevy Impala: Cars, Controversy, and Fandom

A decade back, something major went down that caught everyone's attention online—though it actually happened on TV. The show "Supernatural" wrapped up, and its iconic '67 Chevy Impala, a true star in its own right, had its heavenly send-off. Yes, angels included.

Now, to really get why this was such a big deal, we need to dive into the world of "Supernatural," the wild tales of its internet fandom, and a little something known as Destiel. And yes, I’m talking about that "Supernatural" that kicked off in 2005. It’s been around forever, without any reboots—just a good old-fashioned long-running series.

Let's kick off with a quote straight from the show about their beloved black Impala: "On April 21st, 1967, the Hundred millionth GM vehicle rolled off the line at the plant in Janesville. Three days later, another car rolled off that same line. No one gave two craps about her, but they should've. Because this 1967 Chevrolet Impala would turn out to be the most important car... no, the most important object in pretty much the whole universe."

This car isn’t just any old vehicle. In the "Supernatural" universe, it’s got a 327 engine and four-barrel carbs. But hold onto your hats—because in the real world, the hero car from the show packs a 502 big block engine and sports a Hotchkiss performance suspension. It even sounds like a bowling ball in an industrial dryer, if we’re to believe a spot-on description from driving.ca. And guess what? The sound department on set? Not fans of the noise.

In the storyline, this Impala is the trusty steed of Dean Winchester, demon hunter extraordinaire. Forget his brother Sam for a minute because, in this tale, he’s not our focus. Dean and his trunk full of demon-hunting gear tear across the country, taking out hellspawn left and right, with the Impala playing a pivotal role from the very first episode. It's a hit with fans, turning car nerds into Supernatural aficionados, and broadening the appeal of classic cars.

But here’s a twist—by the final episode (and watch out, because here be spoilers), the car ends up in heaven. Yeah, Dean meets his end (again), this time post-God smackdown during a vamp hunt. And there in the afterlife, he's reunited with the Impala and a host of familiar faces. It's the kind of bizarre, over-the-top twist you expect from "Supernatural," but not without its controversies—namely, the absence of a proper sendoff for the much-discussed relationship between Dean and the angel Castiel, or Destiel as it’s affectionately known.

So, why is this show such a never-ending story? After the mainstream buzz died down, a solid core of superfans kept the love alive, especially on Tumblr. These fans found a lot in "Supernatural" to keep them hooked—handsome leads, a killer soundtrack, and yes, that cool car. They were part of a bigger trifecta known as SuperWhoLock, a mega fandom spanning "Supernatural," "Doctor Who," and "Sherlock."

This fanbase wasn’t just watching; they were creating. Writing, sharing, and devouring fan fiction that spun tales far beyond what the show offered, particularly around LGBT relationships that mainstream media often ignored. Destiel, featuring Dean and Castiel, became a cornerstone of this creative outpouring, highlighting a hunger for representation.

As the series progressed, it began to dabble more openly with LGBT themes, culminating in a controversial moment where Castiel's love for Dean was finally made explicit—only for Castiel to be killed off moments later. This trope, where LGBT characters meet tragic ends, stoked the ire of fans who saw it as a step back for representation, despite the show's gestures toward inclusivity.

In essence, "Supernatural" tried to walk a fine line, embracing its groundbreaking elements while not alienating other parts of its fanbase. But in doing so, it sparked a conversation about how far a show can go in representing something before it starts to retract, equivocate, or undermine its own efforts.

And that’s the wild ride of "Supernatural"—a show that gave as much as it took, celebrated as much as it was critiqued, and left a legacy as complicated as the tales it told.