I don’t know about you, but whenever I hear about a 1961 Chevrolet Impala, I instantly think about the famous Super Sport. It’s because 1961 was the year that brought us the Impala SS, originally available as a $53 package and then becoming an iconic model whose main interest was the performance under the hood.
The 1961 Impala posted on Craigslist a few days ago hopes to impress potential buyers with a different package. It’s not an SS, but it still has a V8 engine for a thrilling ride to the supermarket.
Chevrolet offered the Impala with a 283 as the standard V8 choice. The famous unit, which became the most common choice for the 1961 model year, developed 170 horsepower thanks to a two-barrel carburetor or 230 horsepower when fitted with a four-barrel unit.
The top choice for the ’61 Impala was the almighty 348, which didn’t change much from the previous year. The top version developed 350 horsepower thanks to the Tri-Power setup.Chevrolet took everybody by surprise in February 1961 when it decided to introduce an even more powerful mill. The all-new 409 produced 360 horsepower, becoming the perfect choice for the Impala SS (though few customers ordered it).
If I’m not wrong, this 1961 Impala comes with a 283, though I can’t tell for sure given the quality of the pics. The owner doesn’t provide any specifics on the engine, but I wouldn’t expect it to work. The car has been sitting for the past ten years, and the seller claims it also spent some time in a barn before this. In plain English, it’s an Impala that hasn’t seen the road in quite a long time, so it now needs help to return to working condition.
The owner says they don’t have the energy and time to restore the car, so someone else will have to do it. It comes with new floors and a trunk pan, so in theory, the buyer won’t have to worry about the areas most likely to suffer from rust damage.You don’t have to be a diehard Chevy fan to figure out this Impala requires the typical metal work, including a full respray. The original paint, most likely white, is wrecked but still visible in some spots.
The owner doesn’t answer several key questions, such as whether the car is still original and complete, so book a ticket for Santa Rosa and go see the car in person before committing to a purchase.The owner did not reveal a price for their “pretty solid car,” so you must contact them with an offer if you believe the 1961 Impala is worth a second chance. Considering its overall shape, you’ll need a trailer to take it home