Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics presents are proud to present an exceptional
example of this extraordinarily rare and collectible 1961 Chevrolet
Impala SS 2 door Convertible with the 348 CID 350HP 3x2 BBL V8
Tri-Power engine matched to a 4 speed manual transmission and
finished in its original 'Ermine White' factory color (code 936)
paint and original 'Red & Ivory' (trim code 874) interior
and a White color power operated soft top with 14" wheels with
spinner wheel covers, Bias Ply whitewall tires, fenders skirts,
power brakes, power steering, tachometer, SS grab handle dash, soft
ray glass, heavy duty springs and shocks, electric clock and push
button AM radio! Complete nut and bolt, frame-off older
restoration. Rust free. Original factory cowl tag defining SS
option and crossed flags mounted behind passengers side grab bar.1
of 453 Super Sport Impalas built in 1961W - 348/350HP V8 with 3x2
Tri PowerTO327FH stamp with correct designated 1961 FH suffix code
for 348/350HP 3x2BBLS V8 with manual trans, High Perf, solid cam4
speed manual transmission Power steeringPower convertible topPadded
dashCorrect SS-only spinner wheel coversNew bias-ply white stripe
tiresNew dual exhaustDual antennasFront and rear bumper
guardsCorrect Sun tachometer and control boxFunctional push-button
AM radioSS Grab bar dash7000 RPM Sun TachometerHeavy Duty Springs
& ShocksSS BadgingTissue dispenserRestored
conditionFinished in the original color combinationFactory code 936
Ermine White with code 874 Red and White interior This is the very
rare and collectible factory SS 348/350hp with a 4-speed, power
steering, power brakes and power convertible top. 1 of only 453
original SS Impalas built by Chevrolet in '61. They had to be a 409
or 348 with power steering, power brakes, 4 bumper guards on rear
and the big drum brakes from the factory. This is the only way a
true SS was delivered from Chevrolet and officially known as
RPO-240. This particular car has had a complete nut and bolt
restoration a few years ago on a reportedly all original sheet
metal body, rust free southern states car. Original colors inside
and outside. Everything works as it should. Runs and drives as good
as new and a super rare car obviously. The 1961 full-size Chevrolet
model was totally revamped for the new year. As with all other
full-size GM lines, the new cars finally finished with the
knee-banger, wrap around windshields and tailfins and shed some of
the length and width that had been popular in the prior three
years. The front end sported a full width grille with dual
headlamps mounted at each end with the turn signals and parking
lamps mounted above the headlamps. The car boasted all the regular
Bel Air equipment plus Nylon pattern cloth seats, electric clock,
full carpeting and dual backup lights.The Impala was restyled on
the existing GM B platform for 1961. The new body styling was more
trim and boxy than the 1958-60 models. Sport Coupe models featured
a 'bubbleback' roof line style for '61 and a unique model, the
2-door pillared sedan, was available for 1961 only. It was rarely
ordered and a scarce collectible today. The rare Super Sport (SS)
option debuted for 1961 and was retired in 1968. It is hard to find
a car as exceptionally rare as is this 1961 Chevy Impala SS
convertible, especially considering 1961 was the first year of the
third generation and the very first year Chevrolet offered an SS
package. Only 453 SS Impalas were built in 1961 with 142 of them
being 409's and just a handful were convertibles. Offered in the
spring of 1961, the mandatory dealer options included as high
performance W engine with a minimum of 305 HP. It is reportedly
estimated that no more than 5-10% of the original 453 remain in
existence today (i.e. 22-45 cars)! When you throw in the 348
Tri-Power and all the SS extras, you get the absolute top of the
line for class and refinement in 1961 with a 4 speed manual
transmission, power steering, a power convertible top, the SS
correct Sun tachometer & separate control box or sending
unit (aka EB-9A Box), dash grab bar, dual antennas, front &
rear bumper guards, and fender skirts are all factory options for
the car, and a few are SS exclusive options as well. Restored to
its original paint colors of Ermine White with the Red stripe down
the sides and the correct trim of red and white vinyl bench
seats.This car must be seen and driven to be fully appreciated -
the engine is extremely strong and responsive, the 4 speed manual
transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the engine
temperature always remains cool.In summary, this this car is a true
piece of history and an American classic car collector or muscle
car enthusiasts collector's dream car, a truly splendid and
wonderful example of a very striking 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 348
Trip Power 4 speed 2 Door Convertible in turn-key ready daily
driving and daily head-turning condition, most definitely one very
collectible and attractive all American classic car!
