Vehicle Description
Classic Chevy Impalas are about as closely associated with car
culture as asphalt itself and in its early days the model went
through a fairly unusual trajectory, graduating through its first
two generations in just three years as Chevy sought to get things
just right. In addition to its eventual ascendance to boulevard
aristocracy, the car would go on to set sales records, and
specimens like this 1961 Chevrolet Impala Bubble Top, with its
distinctive vintage styling, played a huge part in setting the
stage for that success.
Representing the third generation of its model, this '61 is
noticeably trimmer than those before it, especially as far as its
more reined in rear fenders and tail. The sharp looking Victory red
shade it wears sits in place of its original beige paint, adding a
substantial amount of visual impact over its predecessor. You'll
notice its unique "Bubble-Top" styling right away. The
aggressively-curved front windshield and sizable pillarless sides
really make it stand out in a crowd - especially with the windows
rolled down. Impalas of this era feature prominent stretches of
trim on their sides that widen into contrasting panels toward the
back to proudly display scripted "Impala" logos and they're looking
particularly sharp here. Up front, the grille - with its pair of
dual headlights and long horizontal ribs - sits nice and level,
while in back, the dual triple taillights look very fresh as they
straddle a great looking Chevy emblem mounted on the center of the
deck lid.
The interior has been refurbished in red and white cloth that's
very much in keeping with this classic's vintage identity while
adding an air of customization. The bench seats in front and back
are still in good shape, sporting plenty of padding underneath
their tuck roll surfaces that are matched by the door panels and
quarter trim in back as they sit over an expanse of still-fresh red
carpeting. The dash area features chrome accents that provide a
great contrast to the red steel just behind them, and its factory
gauges - all of which are functional - are joined by a column
mounted tachometer and oil pressure gauge that fit in nicely with
the assortment of control switches on board. A level and uncracked
dash pad sits just above. The trunk area in back is roomy,
bordering on cavernous, and with no lining covering its floor, you
can see that it's in solid shape.
Underneath the hood a 409 cubic inch V8 sits at the center of one
seriously clean engine compartment, sporting a Holley 4-barrel carb
underneath its chrome air cleaner and a pair of chrome valve covers
on its sides. The engine was one of the premium powerplant options
when this Impala came out and it's in great form here, providing
plenty of pickup, as well as a very appealing exhaust note, and
it's paired with a 3-speed automatic TH400 transmission that's
shifting with slip-free precision. The brake system has been
upgraded with power disc brakes at all four corners for fade
resistant stopping power and with new rear shocks recently
installed, this vintage Chevy rides impressively well. Power
steering makes for easy navigation as this iconic cruiser prowls
the asphalt on its 15" wheels outfitted with BF Goodrich T/A
radials. The undercarriage below is quite a sight - it would be
considered reassuringly solid for any vintage car, let alone one
that's more than 55 years old.
This 1961 Chevrolet Impala Bubble Top represents the rare
opportunity to own a nostalgia-inducing classic that's looking
sharp and is ready, willing and able to hit the road just as soon
as you bring it home. Call today!