General Motors is set to launch a new Chevrolet Impala for the 2014 market, but in order to celebrate the arrival of this vehicle, it has called on a private owner and his classic car.

Michael Smith's 1965 Chevy 409 Impala is in pristine condition after having been restored to a high standard. It is also incredibly rare, because even General Motors itself does not actually own one.

GM president, Mark Reuss, actively searched for this particular car in order to launch the new Impala at the New York International Auto Show last month.

Mr Smith said that he was as surprised as anyone to be contacted about his classic car, with GM actually asking for his permission to use the vehicle, rather than offering it to him as some kind of opportunity.

Mr Smith said that his Impala has won awards in the past, with its performance at a show two years ago, earning it wider attention and eventually leading to the call up from GM.

A number of premium tickets to the New York International Auto Show were gifted to Mr Smith and his family and his 1965 Impala was put on show, alongside its modern equivalent, in front of the world's media.