When Chevrolet unveiled the 1961 model year, the Impala was already a sensation, but the GM company realized that continued refinement and improvements were necessary to sustain the rising sales.
The business made the right decision, and it unveiled the first Super Sport in 1961. The Impala SS was created as an optional package that was available to everyone for $53. It was the first version of what would eventually prove to be the best option for anyone seeking more adrenaline while operating a Chevrolet, rather than the performance-obsessed Super Sport that most people are familiar with.
The 1961 Chevrolet Impala that made its way to Craigslist not long ago is not a Super Sport but hopes to impress the audience with good bones paving the way for restoration.
The car is undoubtedly rust, so whoever plans to overhaul this Impala must be up for some serious work, especially in terms of metal. The rust wrecked the floors and the trunk pan, so what you’ll find are now huge holes letting the air get in. The rusty undersides suggest the vehicle has been sleeping outside for a long time, so expect similar damage in other parts.
The interior is probably the main selling point, especially because it still looks mostly complete. It’s hard to tell just by looking at the pictures if everything is in place, but the Impala still comes with all the seats, the door panels, and the dash, though it’s unclear if it’s already cut.
It’s not all bad news that the engine and transmission are gone. It’s hard to know if the car was born with a V8 under the hood because the vendor withheld any details and the VIN code, but the absence of an engine leaves the door open to other, more potent mills. The best option in 1961 was the 409, which had a four-barrel carburetor that produced 360 horsepower.
The famed 348, which Chevrolet stopped using in the 1962 Impala after it was the best unit on the Impala and the Bel Air for a number of years, was more popular than the 409.
It’s not for the timid, and I think there’s a greater possibility this Impala will be donated to other worthy causes.