I’m not trying to become the Barn Finds oddball specialist, really I’m not. But after writing about the “Lincoln Mud Truck” last week, I just thought it the only right thing to do to profile this 1961 Impala-turned-4X4. We got the tip on this one from TJ, and if you want the car, or truck (it’s built on a 1977 Chevy Short Bed chassis), you’ll have to find your way to McCloud, CA, which is way up by the Oregon border, near Mount Shasta. Before you make that trek, you’ll buy the car here on eBay. Be warned that 25 people have already bid, though take comfort in the fact that the reserve is not met at $4850. However, you must decide fast: the auction ends on Monday.
This one actually makes much more sense to me than the Lincoln, for several reasons. For one thing, any person who saves a 60s four-door (yes, I am aware they are getting more popular as the supply of coupes and two-door hardtops is depleted) has some good karma coming to him. And this one is not just saved. It’s pretty nice both inside and out, though in one picture, it looks like there’s rust in a rear fender. That usually means other spots have bubbles under the decent pain coming in their future, though the seller says that it’s not rusty, but rather that the clearcoat is coming undone. No surprise if the paint job dates to the year of the car’s construction, 1996.
For two, this actually looks useable, if still a bit silly. It’s not a mile high, so you’re not going to induce sciatica pain just getting up and into the cabin. There’s lots of space for all your friends, and a huge trunk. It’s not snowy in much of California, but apparently it is where this car resides, and likely where a lot of readers live, too, so you can take comfort owning this that you’ll be able to get out to the store when the white stuff flies.
For three, I’d say that this car, if it does nothing else, reminds me of a 1950s-60s “gasser,” and that’s just plain cool. A gasser has its front wheels relocated forward of stock, usually a solid-beam axle, and other mods. Not saying that this Impala is set up for the drags, but rather that it looks a lot like the front end of those classic drag racers. So if you’re up for “the ultimate SUV,” as labelled by the seller, then why not? It has a 400-CID engine and automatic transmission, and the brag is that it “will go anywhere.” Maybe that anywhere is your neck of the woods?
Why?
What a shame. A 1961 Impala deserves better.
A 77 Chevrolet short bed deserves better also .
If a guy had this in Upper Michigan, he could pick up all the women he wanted. Downside is that it would rust out after the first winter. I’d buy it anyway.
Less than the sum of its’ parts.
I’m truly surprised at how nice and stock the body and interior are, usually these are modded throughout.
9:19 EST to many Bourbon’s to commit tonight
I have ridden in a 67 Satellite, on a lifted Blazer frame, with 34in mud tires. Was a real workout getting in and out of.
I like
Being the same age as this car I may be slipping a bit but I think it’s been posted before…..
Put some good-sized rock sliders on this — it’d make it easier to get in and out of too — and do some trail rides with this.
I think this kind of sacrilege is a lot of fun. Kudos for the original thinking.
This is the best looking 4X4 conversion I’ve seen. Not ridiculously jacked up so high as to make it mostly useless. I think you could drive this regularly. It looks like it was too nice to do this to but we don’t know how long it’s been done. This car was worth very little money at one time and could have wound up being a derby car. I like it like it is but it’s so nice I find myself daydreaming about putting it back on a late model car frame to have the good handling, driving, and braking that most late model cars have now.
Says no rust. What is the bubbling over the tire on the l/r fender? At the lower corners of the passenger doors
GREAT Overlanding Vehicle!!!
Just the thing for picking up your soy latte at the Starbucks, and navigating the parking garage.
What a waste! If you want a 4WD go buy a jeep.
Finally! A four door with real 4 wheel appeal !
Taco?
I totally agree with Todd & George….What a Waste & a SHAME!!!!! My wife is the Original Owner of a nice ’61 Impala 2 dr. hdtp. If I did this to her car, I would be searchin’ for my Head!
The builder took the joke of turning all old Impalas into Lowriders a bit too seriously,
I think it’s great! IT’S A 4 DOOR! If you restore it, you’re underwater or everyone says “nice car too bad it’s a 4 door” Why not make it cool and have some fun with it?? Great job!!
Remember the episode of Dukes of Hazzard in which they turned the General into a 4 x 4? This was also the one which had three different colored CJ’s flying around… each bad guy, or actually gal, drove one. Great stuff. Here you go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwW_Xg9-kCI
Looks to be well done, I like it…
This vehicle was on this site last year for sale .
When do we go for a ride?