What’s the first thing you can think of when seeing a 1961 Impala? If you’re a diehard Chevrolet fanboy, you probably know that the 1961 model year brought us the famous Super Sport.
It debuted as a rather modest “performance” upgrade, so the first iteration didn’t necessarily include the SS goodies that everybody is drooling after today.
The package was available for only $53.80 and included mostly visual improvements, with the Super Sport growing to become a true performance upgrade during the next model years.
However, the 1961 Impala remains a head-turning machine even without the SS package.
The example in these pictures is living proof despite exhibiting a challenging shape.
This 1961 Impala has probably been sitting for a long time in what looks to be a junkyard, with rust already invading the undersides. eBay seller Guerrero’s Collectibles says part of the trunk floor, the lower quarter panels, and the floors come with partial metal damage, while the passenger side fender is already rotted out.
The car also sells without some parts, including the rear seats. However, you’ll get a complete dashboard, minus the ashtray, a glove box, and other miscellaneous parts to help with a restoration.
The engine comes with a little surprise for buyers who aren’t interested in an all-original Impala. The car rolled off the assembly lines with the lazy six-cylinder engine in charge of propelling it, but the original unit is long gone. The Impala now sports a 350 V8 engine, though no further specifics were shared. The owner says that “we were told it runs,” but it’ll require some fixes, including a new fuel tank or cleaning the existing one.
A 350 is clearly a better option than the standard six-cylinder unit, especially if you’re interested in a boost of adrenaline behind the wheel, but you’ll need a good mechanic to inspect the mill and determine its condition.
Based on the provided images, it’s safe to assume the restoration will focus mainly on redoing the interior, as the cabin looks worse than everything else. The car might have been a donor for another project, so you must inspect everything thoroughly for missing parts.
This 1961 Impala won’t sell cheaply, as the owner knows the car comes with nearly the complete package. They expect to get $22,500 for this Impala, albeit they also enabled the Make Offer button to leave the door open for further negotiations.
Meanwhile, if you’re committed to purchasing this Impala, you can find it in Bloomington, California. eBay’s statistics indicate that 23 people are watching the listing, meaning someone might already negotiate the price. The listing will expire in approximately 23 days, so you have plenty of time to determine if this car should be your next project.