As a big Impala fan, the 1961 model year is one of the most compelling releases of Chevrolet’s superstar. The year witnessed two big moments in the history of this nameplate.
First, it marked the debut of the third-generation Impala. The first model launched in 1958 as the top Bel Air version, while the second generation debuted a year later when the Impala gained series status. It was produced for two years, with the third generation getting the green light in 1961.
Second, this year witnessed the introduction of the Super Sport. If you’re a diehard Chevy fan, you certainly know what the SS means for the GM brand, providing customers with sporty upgrades (initially, all these upgrades were limited to cosmetic goodies but later included performance improvements, too). The SS package could be had for just $53 in 1961.
The 1961 Impala that made its way to eBay this week courtesy of seller murfs39 doesn’t sport the SS tags but comes with something else that’ll catch everybody’s attention. The car has just 23,000 miles (approximately 37,000 km), and it’s believed the mileage is original.
A low-milage Impala is a desirable classic, especially when it’s still complete and sporting only original parts. It’s unclear if the car we have here has everything in place, but despite the occasional rust, it’s otherwise a solid restoration candidate.
The photos reveal the typical rust on the floors, though I can’t tell from the pics if the floors and the trunk pan can be saved. Patches will certainly be needed, but the seller says the rust mostly results from the car not getting “regular driving.”
Now, let’s talk engines.
The vehicle comes with what looks like a V8 under the hood, but the owner claims in the eBay listing summary that their Impala flexes a 350 big-block unit. If correct, the car no longer has the original engine, as a 350 was not available for this model year. Hopefully, it’s just a typo, as the 1961 Impala was available with a 348 as the big-block option. Later in the middle of the year, Chevrolet also launched a 409, essentially the 348 with a cylinder bore increase, pushing the maximum power rating to 360 horsepower.
The Impala has already caught the attention of many people online, with 12 bids received at the time of writing. The top offer is $10,200, but the reserve is still in place. Bidders who no longer want to fight for the car and get their hands on it can trigger the Buy It Now option, available at $15,000. Those who want to take it home must drive their trailer to Santa Rosa, California, as the car doesn’t look like it’ll be moving anytime soon.
