Vehicle Description
1961 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe
The term "bubble top" is defined as a plastic top to an automobile
that is rounded in shape. It was coined due to cars of the early
1960 era having expansive rounded and curved front and rear glass,
giving the visual that someone blew air into the interior and
expanded the glass in an outward way. A bubble if you will!
For consignment, a former California car that has made the trek
east back in 1991, was used a bit, and has sat in storage for the
last 20 years. Painted in Fawn Beige, it is showing some effects of
the storage on the paint with plenty of spotting and some slight
surface rust peeking through where the paint was previously
scratched or scraped. Chrome is in good condition and has weathered
the storage storm much better than the paint. All correct badging,
clean bubble glass, an interior that has a bit of wear, but a great
example of this 1961 Impala Sport Coupe. A survivor that will
require some TLC, but it can readily become a shower!
Exterior
Dual horizontal headlights, an egg crate grille, straight steel
bathed in Fawn Beige with the aforementioned faults this car is all
in for the original version. A white stainless trim spear runs the
length of the sides and accents the rounded glass seen on the front
and rear glass giving it its nickname. On back a styled V for the
trunk line, and then the triple taillights, which was to become a
permanent feature on Impalas to come. Our example has 15-inch rally
wheels which are nice and shiny, and raised white letter Dunlop
rubber. A bit of rust seen around the wheel wells and on the
rockers but mostly straight steel.
Interior
Bleeding early 1960's styling the door swing yields some stitched
and button upper beige vinyl panels. The mid-section of said doors
is horizontal ribbed gray broadcloth with torn and tattered arm
rests. The lower third is more smooth beige vinyl. Cranks and
actuators are all working. Slipping inside we greet horizontal
ribbed broadcloth in beige with darker stripes for the bench
inserts, and light beige bolsters in vinyl. The condition of these
seats is worn with some tears in the driver's seat that shows the
inner padding. The rear bench shows wear on the passenger's seat.
Simple jet age styling for the dash with a large angled dash top to
shade the gauges which reside in the dash front that is covered in
aluminum. An original two-tone steering wheel is fronting this
dash. Gold carpeting somewhat faded and dirty floods the floors and
the headliner is more light beige vinyl and tight but a bit soiled
in the seams from age.
Drivetrain
Under the hood which is a bit surface rusted with no insulation
remaining, we note an unrestored engine bay. Within this original
looking and aged space is an original 283ci V8. It is topped with a
single 2-barrel carburetor, and on back is a Powerglide 2-speed
automatic transmission. The rear axle weighs in at 3.08 ratio.
Undercarriage
A finer coating of surface rust is encompassing all surfaces
underneath. It remains structurally sound and no invasive rust is
noted. Independent coil spring suspension is upfront, and a 4 link
with more coil springs is on back. Drum brakes are provided on all
4 corners. A newer chambered dual exhaust has been recently put
on.
Drive-Ability
Despite its time capsule storage the engine fired up and ran
smoothly. It shifted smoothly and handled nicely. I noticed the
brakes will need adjustment because the left rear locks up quickly.
Also, the radio is not working, as well as the taillights, right
rear brake light and rear turn signals are not functioning.
We may very well have a diamond in the rough with this car, with 20
years of storage under its belt, it has left it preserved, but time
has taken a toll in that storage stint. Mostly cosmetic fixes, but
then it will be ready to show as an interesting piece of GM history
in the "Bubble Top".
VIN DECODE
11837L204098
1-1961
18-Impala V8
37-2 Door Sport Coupe
L-Los Angeles, Assy Plant
204098-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
07B-2nd Week July Build
STYLE 61 1837-1961 Impala Sport Coupe
BODY VN26820-Los Angeles Body #
TRIM 865-Fawn Cloth & Vinyl Bench
PAINT 920A-Fawn Beige
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.