1961 was the big year when the Super Sport came to be, paving the way for performance upgrades that turned the Impala into Chevy’s number one full-size superstar.
Sales of the Impala were already on the rise, so the introduction of the SS, first as an option package available for just $53, made the car even more appealing for customers particularly interested in performance.
The Super Sport strategy worked like a charm, eventually expanding to other models, including the Nova and the Chevelle.
1961 Impalas have, therefore, become highly desirable classics in the collector’s world, especially if they wear the SS tags, come with everything original, and exhibit a tip-top shape.
The 1961 Impala posted on eBay by seller sixtysfordguy is the opposite on all fronts. It’s no longer a perfect 10, as the vehicle has likely been sitting for many years, becoming a project whose option is a complete restoration. The SS tags are not there and have never been, as the car rolled off the assembly lines as a standard 4-door hardtop. The all-original magic has already been lost, with the Impala now becoming a Chevrolet soup that includes parts donated by other models.
However, it’s still a very solid project for someone who wants to build a daily driver or go for a restomod. The engine under the hood comes from a 1968 Chevrolet. It’s a 350 V8 that turns over by hand, though no other specifics are available. It’s impossible to tell if the engine can be brought back to working condition without an in-person inspection, but a mill not yet seized is generally good news for a professional restorer.
The car comes with a 400 Turbo transmission and uses new seats donated by a later Impala. It also has a console with a floor shifter but no longer sports the front windows, possibly as they made their way to another Impala project.
The Impala sells with many extra parts, paving the way for a potential overhaul, though you’ll have to go check everything in person to determine their condition.
The metal also looks solid, though the Impala still exhibits the typical rust problems. I couldn’t get a clear look at the floors, but I believe they’re not yet wrecked, though I still don’t expect good news in this regard. If you can install new floors and maybe a new trunk panel, it’s the right way to go, especially if you want to use this Impala as a daily driver.