The SS package is the first thing I can think of when looking at a 1961 Impala. 1961 witnessed the debut of the Super Sport Equipment Package, or as Chevrolet called it in dealership documents, the RPO-240 upgrade.
Sold by Chevy at just $53.80, the SS package brought a 7,000-rpm tachometer, upgraded springs and shocks, power brakes, and special-edition wheel covers. Super Sport models also sported the now-famous trim and logos in the cabin and the body.
The SS eventually became a superstar, providing Impala buyers with a significantly upgraded driving experience, especially when looking for increased performance.
Getting your hands on a 1961 Impala SS is mission impossible if the vehicle comes in tip-top shape and all-original condition. The same for a non-SS, as original Impalas typically sell for more than most of us could afford.
A 1961 Impala is also fighting for survival on eBay as its owner believes the car is still worth a complete restoration. I know what you’re thinking: where’s the Impala in the first place, and why would anyone spend thousands of bucks on a huge pile of rusty metal?
eBay seller kg4ever says the answer is the solid frame and the usable dash. The owner claims their Impala still comes with plenty of hard-to-find parts, though I’m not sure what they are. The car, if I can still call it this way, exhibits a horrible condition, and I doubt someone would ever attempt a complete restoration using it as a starting point.
It lacks an engine and a transmission, and based on the tear-inducing photos, it is a non-SS model that somehow ended up abandoned outside. The Impala rolled off the assembly lines as a convertible, but the removable top is a good memory today. As a huge Impala fan, I can’t imagine how someone can let a car so gorgeous become the useless pile of rusty metal that it is today. Rough Impalas are common but typically emerge from barns or garages where they spent decades waiting for a second chance. This isn’t at all the case with this horrible 1961 example.
The Impala currently sleeps in Georgia; you can bet it won’t move anytime soon. Of course, bringing a trailer is mandatory should anyone decide to take it home and start a restoration.