Vehicle Description
Cruisin Classics is proud to present this truly exceptional 1961
Chevrolet Impala to you. It's not every day that you see a
bubble-top Impala of this caliber! This Chevy was obviously treated
to a frame-off restoration at some point in its recent past, though
we have no service or restoration records for the car. No matter
what, the all-around quality level of this car speaks for itself.
This Impala comes to us dressed in its original colors of Roman Red
and Ermine White (973 paint code) . The paint is about as close to
show-quality as you can get - deep, lustrous, and eye-poppingly
beautiful. The paint is beautifully accented by stunning chrome and
brightwork that is so plentiful you don't know where to look first.
Up front, you'll find "CHEVROLET" lettering across the lip of the
hood, a bright horizontal chrome grille with a colorful
"cross-flags" crest at the center, dual side-by-side headlights
with bright bezels, and a mirror-finish chrome bumper with an
overrider and a set of rubber-coated dagmars (bullets). Between the
bumper and the overrider is a Chevy bowtie logo that serves as the
hood release when pulled outward - a very cool feature. Adding
further to the front ends' eye-catching design are
aviation-inspired fender-top ornaments. As you move around to the
side of the car, the stylishly curved A-pillars and "bubble-top"
design really stand out. All of the windows are framed with chrome
trim, and all of the glass appears to have been replaced during the
restoration. Chrome touches abound with drip rail molding, elegant
door handles, dual side mirrors, wiper arms, and gas fill door
ornamentation. Chrome spears begin at the front end and widen as
they travel to the rear, with the center portion filled in with
Ermine White paint - a stunning accent against the Roman Red body.
Inside the spears at the rear quarters are bright "cross-flags"
badges and "Impala" script badges that look new. Completing the
whole look are a set of 5-spoke American Racing wheels all wrapped
in Dayton Daytona HR tires. If you peek through the wheels, you'll
see that this Impala has been upgraded to disc brakes with red
calipers and drilled & slotted rotors on all four corners. The
stylish touches continue around back with faux chrome vents beneath
the rear window, swooping accent trim that carries over from the
side-spears, a centered "cross-flags" badge on the decklid, a
rear-angled antenna, and circular taillights with bright trim rings
and cool conical lenses. Beneath is another gleaming chrome bumper,
this one with four vertical bumper guards. A quick look underneath
reveals an impeccable undercarriage dressed in black with a newer
gas tank and exhaust system as well as fantastic-looking
professionally-installed floorpans.
When you lift the hood, you're certain to be impressed by the clean
and organized engine bay. The firewall is the same slick Roman Red
as the body, the inner fenders are gloss black, and there are
chrome fill-panels with "Chevrolet" and bowtie logo engravings
covering the area between the radiator and the grille. Sitting
proudly at the center is a bright orange 348ci V-8 topped off with
orange valve covers and three 2-barrel Rochester carburetors, all
capped with chrome air cleaners with Chevy bowtie nuts. The
excitement doesn't stop there, though; there's also power steering,
an Edelbrock water pump, cast exhaust manifolds, an aluminum
Be-Cool radiator with aluminum overflow cannister, and a Sanden A/C
compressor that powers the working Vintage Air system. The hearty
V-8 is mated up to a 4-speed manual transmission that shifts
smoothly and sends power to the rear end. Stopping power comes
courtesy of 4-wheel power disc brakes with a CPP master cylinder
and proportioning valve.
When you swing open the driver's door, dual overhead courtesy
lights come on to illuminate a gorgeous red and white cloth and
vinyl interior that matches the cowl tag (Trim 873). This interior
is truly a feast for the eyes, and it's in keeping with the
outstanding condition of the rest of the car. The door panels are a
blend of red and grey vinyl with chrome accents and cranks for both
the regular and vent windows. The bench seats look freshly
re-covered and feature an OEM correct pattern blending red striped
cloth and both red and white vinyl. Sitting on the front seat is an
aftermarket red vinyl armrest/storage box with cupholders (this is
simply strapped in place and is easily removed if desired). The
front bench also has chrome trim in good condition on the base and
outside edges, adding to the look. The rear seat features a speaker
cover (speaker inop) at the top-center with chrome trim and an
Imala cross-flags badge. The rear package tray is uncut. Overhead
is a tight white vinyl headliner and two red visors, while
underfoot is very nice red and black speckled hook & loop carpet,
kept looking good with red rubber bowtie logo floormats in front
and back. All windows are framed in chrome, as are the A-pillars.
Just ahead of the front seat on the floor is a ribbed chrome plate
with cross-flags badging, and rising up from it is a chrome Hurst
dog-leg shifter with a white pattern ball and a black rubber boot.
Ahead of the driver is an aftermarket aluminum steering wheel with
a red outer ring and a working horn button on a tilt column. The
wheel frames a ribbed chrome gauge bezel that accents the glossy
red body-color dash. A horizontal 120mph speedometer sits above the
gauge bezel, and the odometer on it reads 2,692 miles (which we
suspect is the mileage since the restoration). Located within the
bezel is the knob for lights, a temp gauge, an inoperative analog
clock, a fuel gauge, lighter and ashtray, and lastly a
Retrosound-style AM/FM stereo that plays through a speaker in the
top of the dash. Below these gauges are a vent pull knob, a knob
for the working 2-speed wipers, the ignition, and the HVAC
controls. The Vintage Air system that was installed utilizes the
Impala's original slider controls, and it cranks out cold A/C and
hot heat with a strong fan that blows through four under-dash
vents. In the center of the dash is a glovebox with a ribbed chrome
doo,r and inside are the instructions for operating the HVAC
controls. The passenger side of the dash sports another colorful
cross-flags Impala badge. Located discreetly under the dash to the
driver's left is a battery cut-off button (kill-switch). Around
back in the fully carpeted trunk is a trickle charger, a car cover,
the original steering wheel (in good condition), and a lift-up
panel that hides a space to store a spare tire.
Whether you're an Impala fan or just someone looking for a classic
60's cruiser, you're going to love this 1961 Impala! This
bubble-top really checks the boxes - stellar paint and brightwork,
a 348 V-8 with tri-power carb set-up, power steering, power
four-wheel disc brakes, a 4-speed manual transmission, cold A/C,
and an interior that's to die for! Words and photos just can't do
this car justice - you need to come here to Columbus, Ohio, and see
this incredible ride in person! Give our friendly staff a call
today and make this Impala your own!
ENGINE
348ci GM V-8
Three 2-Barrel Rochester Carburetors
Orange Valve Covers
Cast Exhaust Manifolds
Edelbrock Water Pump
Power Steering
Be-Cool Aluminum Radiator with Aluminum Overflow
Sanden A/C Compressor and Vintage Air System
Well-Detailed Engine Bay
TRANSMISSION
4-Speed Manual
Dog-Leg Hurst Shifter with White Pattern Ball
Rear Wheel Drive
BRAKES
4-Wheel Power Disc Brakes
Red Calipers
Drilled and Slotted Rotors
CPP Master Cylinder and Proportioning Valve
...for more information please contact the seller.
