1961 Chevy Impala Bubble Top with Super Sport option. I purchased the car about 20 years ago and then restored it (body-off frame) 5 – 10 years ago. At the time of purchase, the cars had all factory original badging, options and configuration included in the Super Sport package except the metallic brakes. The cowl tag identifies the car as built in Van Nuys, CA and factory painted midnight blue. Finding and verifying an authentic 61 SS is rare and difficult. This is the closest example I ever found. I cannot verify its authenticity, but it’s all there except for the metallic brakes.
Body: Restoration included two new front fenders and left rear quarter panel. All other sheet metal, including floor and trunk, remains original. Paint is base/clear matching the original midnight blue. All exterior stainless trim is scratch free and polished. Grill is NOS. Interior upholstery and door panels are from Cars Inc. All interior aluminum trim is scratch free and polished. Grab bar, tach and shift console is factory original. Hub caps are Super Sport without the punch-out for the typical black plastic cross flag medallion. Floor cut out for shifter is original. All window glass is new with correct LOF label etching. Window frames have been re-chromed. All weather stripping is new. Bumpers were re-chromed. Side trim is new. Headlights are reproduction T-3’s and battery is reproduction Delco correct to car.
Drive train: Engine is a 350 HP / 348 CID. Engine block is a correct replacement block. Heads are correct casting #1147 hi-performance dated Jan 1961 with 2 ½ inch exhaust manifolds. Intake manifold and water pump are dated January 1961. Engine has correct 3 x 2 carburetors with correct factory vacuum linkage and air clearer with NOS AC air filter. Bell housing is correct #553 aluminum bellhousing and the distributor is the correct #019 dual point. Cam is solid lifter 350 HP / 348 cam. Engine was rebuilt using 9.5 pistons. The transmission is a rebuilt Borg Warner T-10. Case is cast iron dated Dec.1960, and the aluminum tail shaft is dated Jan.1961 The rear axle is a 3.7 ratio posi-traction. It has been rebuilt with new bearings and clutches.
Chassis: The frame was sandblasted and painted with black self-etching primer. Gas tank is new, all brake parts are new. Master cylinder is rebuilt with stainless steel sleeve. Brake booster was also rebuilt. All suspension parts (front and rear) are new including springs, ball joints, tie rods and bushings. Power steering cylinder and pump rebuilt. All electrical wiring, including fuse block, is new and factory correct
Thank you for considering this Chevy bubble top beauty.
