1961 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport Bubble Top

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Description

(SOLD) This 1961 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport Bubble Top was a result of a banner year for GM to offer the Super Sport, Bubble Top, and the 409 engine. Only 450 Super Sports were produced, of which, only 142 were built with the 409 engine. This Bubble Top has undergone a comprehensive, no expense spared, restoration to the highest level. The previous owner spent years sourcing NOS parts before even starting the restoration. It is finished in two-tone with Sea Mist Turquoise #917 with the complementing, correct White Bubble top. The interior features the beautiful Sea Mist Turquoise SS interior with contrasting silver trim.

The cabin incorporates a split front bench seat, Impala trim, a cluster of small instruments including a temperature gauge, fuel gauge, and clock, correct SS passenger grab handle, the original floor-mounted shifter with console plate, all the correct emblems and badges, and a working, original AM push button radio with front and rear speakers and dual antennas on the rear fenders.

At the top of the powertrain offering was a new, factory built, matching number 409ci W-Series Chevrolet V8 engine. It featured a 4.3125-inch bore and a 3.5-inch stroke. With an 11.25:1 compression ratio, it developed 360hp at 5,800 rpm. Like the rest of the car, the engine compartment and 409/360 hp engine are clean and well-detailed with all correct accessories and surfaces. Both the engine bay and undercarriage are highly detailed and ready for showing.

The Chevrolet additionally comes with a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission on the floor, 336 Posi Traction rear end, a 7,000 rpm Sun tachometer system that is mounted on the steering column, aluminum intake manifold, dual exhaust, power steering, heavy duty drum break with sintered metallic linings and power assist, dual snorkel air cleaner, tinted glass, correct hose clamps, heavy-duty police suspension (which included stiffer springs, heavier shocks, a beefier front sway bar), and NOS spinner wheel hub caps with whitewall tires. It also comes equipped with the original carburetor, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, and distributor that are all date Coded 1961. Featured in the SS are five matching 8.00-145 BF Goodrich thin white wall tires as well as an original style battery, washer bottle refill with sticker mounted by the radiator, and all the correct tags, stickers, and markings displayed throughout the engine compartment. The full-size Chevrolets were all new for 1961, featuring a 119-inch wheelbase chassis, revised powertrains and a new performance-oriented Impala SS model.

It comes with the original owner’s manual, show sign, trophy, documentation of the previous awards, spare tire, and jack. This Impala was well cared for and maintained over the years prior to its restoration, and since the restoration has only been driven under 20 test miles, it is in immaculate condition. As a testament to its high quality, it won the Gold award with a score of 981, in its 1st showing at the National Impala meet. In its 2nd showing, it won 1st in Class at the San Marino Motor Classic in June of 2019. This is one of the finest examples available in the world today, this will not be a disappointment.

History

The year 1961 was the first time Chevrolet offered the Super Sport package that would come to define Chevy muscle throughout the 1960s. Introduced midway through the model year, the Super Sport package was offered on all body styles in the entire Impala line. For the first time in several years the full size Chevy was finless! The '61 Impala still sat on the GM "B" body platform and rolled on a 119-inch wheel base. The Impala body was now 1 ½ inches shorter, giving it a trim and boxy look. The Impala line stuck with its signature three taillight designs. The Impala and Bel Air two-door sport coupes each featured new roofline styling. This new roofline line would become known as the "bubbletop." 1961 was the only year for an Impala two-door sedan model. Very few were produced, and it is a scarce collectible today. The big news for '61 was the mid-year introduction of the Super Sport model and the new monster 409 ci engine. These two new entries to the Impala lineup were an instant success! Factory production numbers for the new "SS" for 1961 are approx. 453 units; with approx. 142* of these featuring the new Turbo Fire 409 ci engine. Although the Super Sport 409 package was available on any Impala it is unlikely it appeared in anything but sport coupes and convertibles. Engine choices included the single 4-barrel-equipped hydraulic-lifter 348 CI big-block V-8s rated at 250, 280, 305 and 315 HP, a triple 2-barrel solid-lifter tri-power-equipped version rated at 335 HP, and the new-for-1961 409 CI Turbo-Fire engine. The 409 was a serious performer: a bored-and-stroked version of the 348 with a single 4-barrel on an aluminum intake manifold, 11.25:1 compression and a solid-lifter cam combining for a factory rating of 360 HP. Power steering and brakes, heavy-duty tires on station wagon wheels, special springs and shock absorbers, and sintered metallic brake linings formed the basis of the SS package.