I’ve often sat and contemplated whether there is any such thing as automotive perfection, and that is a question that is difficult to answer. A car that ticks all the right boxes for one person might leave another feeling cold. If you happen to be a fan of the 3rd Generation Chevrolet Impala, this 1961 model might come perilously close to achieving that elusive perfect score. A previous owner performed a meticulous restoration which has left it presenting superbly, while its drivetrain is the stuff of dreams. The current owner has decided to part with the Impala, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Modesto, California, and the bidding has headed beyond the reserve to sit at $55,000. Once again, Barn Finder Larry D shows us that he has an excellent eye for desirable classics. Thank you so much for referring this one to us, Larry.
When you look at this “Bubbleback’s” recent history, its overall condition is no great surprise. It appears to have spent most of its life in California, which will have helped its cause when it comes to preserving classic steel. A previous owner performed a meticulous restoration on the Impala, completing the process by repainting it in its original shade of Roman Red. The paint appears to be flawless. There is no evidence of chips or defects, while the shine is about as deep as you could hope to find on a car of this type and age. The owner doesn’t mention rust issues, and I would be surprised to find any after the amount of TLC that the Impala has received. Accentuating its appearance is trim and chrome that looks factory fresh and wide steel wheels with standard hubcaps. The defining feature of the Impala is its bubbleback roofline and enormous expanses of glass. This was a styling triumph because while the Impala is a relatively big and heavy beast, Chevrolet managed to make it look light and airy. All of that glass can be prone to marks and damage, but it appears to be perfect on this car. So far, then, there’s a lot to like about this classic.
The positive vibes continue when we survey the magnificence that is this Impala’s interior. As with the outside, there’s not much to fault with this interior. It is upholstered in a combination of red and white cloth and vinyl. There are no signs of any wear or physical damage, which is hardly surprising when you consider that the vehicle has clocked less than 8,000 since the previous owner completed the restoration. The trim and plated components shine perfectly, while the dash and wheel are in as-new condition. A factory AM radio occupies its rightful place in the dash, and there have been no aftermarket additions. That shifter poking through the floor provides a hint that this Impala’s drivetrain could be something pretty special.
While Chevrolet offered more powerful engines in the ’61 Impala range, the 348ci Tri-Power V8 was one of the most desirable. It punched out an impressive 350hp, breaking that magic mark of one horsepower per cubic inch. Bolted to this V8 is a 4-speed manual transmission that feeds all of those horses to a 3.08 10-bolt rear end. While it was no porker, the Impala still tipped the scales at 3,635lbs. That made the ¼-mile ET of 15.9 seconds look pretty impressive in 1961. While he doesn’t specifically say so, I believe that this Impala could be numbers-matching. The presentation of the engine bay is as impressive as the rest of the vehicle and would seem to need nothing. It appears that it doesn’t flatter to deceive. Thanks to that 3.08 rear end, the owner says that it cruises comfortably at highway speeds. That’s excellent news for any potential buyers searching for a turn-key classic that combines comfort and muscle.
Okay, bow-tie fans, does this 1961 Impala come close to securing that title of automotive perfection? There’s no question that it presents superbly, and its drivetrain combination was one of the most desirable that potential buyers could choose in that model year. The ’61 Impala was also a massive a sales success, and 177,969 buyers chose the two-door Bubbleback version. Values took a hit during 2020, but they have begun to head back in the right direction. This improvement shows no evidence of tapering, which could make cars like this a solid long-term investment. Whether or not you consider this Impala to represent perfection, do you find it desirable enough to pursue it further?
Very beautiful Impala. The only thing I would do would be to put on the full Impala wheel covers. While the dog dish hubcaps would be perfect on a Biscayne or a Bel Air, they look out of place on an Impala to me. Plus, the full wheel covers are really nice looking.
Yes, and whitewall tires.
I never saw an Impala back in the day with dog dish caps except maybe a dedicated drag car.
Thick whitewalls – thin ones appeared on GM cars in ’62. But wrong for this year or not, this car, in this color, would look incredible with redlines!
Apparently I am in the minority who much prefer dog dish hub caps and blackwall tires…..even if they are on an Impala. I find that whitewalls make the wheels look smaller and less “solid”.
I agree with LarryS, no one I knew would have driven an Impala in 1961 with dog dish caps and Blackwell tires. Just was not done !! Race car yes, street car no way.
The ’61 is definately the ‘pala of my dreams, + with this driveline and in such a condition it shouldn’t really be possible to nit-pick.
While there’s really nothing wrong with a red ‘pala (…or black or white for that matter) I’d PERSONALLY rather see it wearing one of the less common colors from the ’61 palette with color-matching upholstery – I have a real soft spot for both the Arbor Green and Corona Cream hues…
61 Bubble Top 348 Tri-Power 4 Speed. What’s not to like other the price it will likely go for!
My Grandpa bought one of these used. It was a white convertible, same trans and engine though. Got it in 1970 to commute to his job at the University. Paid $300 bucks. Grandpa was 68 and damn near deaf by then. He would rev that thing up till he could hear the motor and dump the clutch. Laid rubber for an easy 50 feet down the driveway, facility parking lot, bank drive thru. Never got to ride in that one, but loved seeing him do burnouts! Never got over 6 mpg, sold it, got a VW fastback with an auto.
Thanks for the memories always.
One of the best looking series of cars GM ever built. With my favorite power plant in it it ticks all the boxes. The ’59 Corvette without an engine and trans has the proper sized whitewalls but I still like the slightly thinner ones that came out the next year..
Owned a ’61 convert in a light blue /white top. 283/glider but what a sweet car. Growing family forced a new suburban! 396 of course.
The color and power train are a great combination. At least this Impala didn’t end up as a low-ridder, in East LA or in a LAPD impound. May of them did. Like Honda Civics in the 80s, at one time, 1960 through 1966 Impalas and Caprice were the most stolen cars in SoCal.
Nice car !! PLEASE call it a “Bubbletop” that’s the proper name, since I own the Ultimate one a Beautiful 1962 (last year production) 409, dual quad , 5 speed,positraction version. I’d be honored to send pics and videos if youd like. Thanks
Yup, we all reckon this roofline as Bubble Top and it’s a fitting name indeed – however it’s still just a nick. ’61(’62) GM (Chev) sales literature would not utilize such a nomenclature for this beautiful and iconic greenhouse design
What is commonly termed the Bubble Top today Chevrolet called the Sport Coupe.
Please stop saying “ticks all the right boxes”. That is all.
Too bad it’s not an SS; would have had 4:11 gears and posi.
The icing on the cake would be if it was a Bel Air instead! 2 tail lights, not 3, & abbreviated side moldings…OH YEAH!!! In Honduras Maroon!
Money Car! Its nice to see a vehicle that has not been hacked up. Someone is going to have a nice vehicle.
The late, great Dan Gurney campaigned a ’61 SS 409 in England back-in-the-day!
Can it get any better? (Leaving aside the issue of the IRA busting price of admission) And yes….it’s an Impala and those hubcaps are misleading but I get the look the restorer was going for. Stripped down; but hard to do with 3 tail lights and side chrome :)
Arthur Hankel said these would be valuable when he got his Bel Air in 1970. It was a beautiful beige, and I could be wrong, but I remember it having a three speed on the floor. With the big block. I haven’t seen him for forty years, but if anyone could hang on to one that long it would be him. Ðusted everyone except new 454:s.
Really beautiful car. I always loved the look of the steering wheel. Pure class.
Yeah mark396 still my all time favorite factory steering wheel had a white 61 Impala same red interior as this one 348/4sp really miss that car
Perfect just the way it is. If I could swing it I’d jump on this.
I love those “Bench Bend” 4 spd shifters . .
Jim
My first car when I was still in college! A1961 maroon used bel air in perfect condition with a 6 cyl and 3 speed on the tree. A lovely highway cruiser that looked better than a caddy!lol
Well 61 is a close second, but my choice is a 62, Hardtop Convertible Coupe, SS with bucket seats an 4 speed, 283/4 brl.
If it is located in Modesto, isn’t it 3 years too new?
A lame attempt at a movie joke, I know……
Of course, it could have still been in the movie, since it takes place in ’62.
Perfect 1961? I had a friend back in the day who went to order a brand new 1961 Impala with the 348-350 HP Tri-power option. (there were several power levels offered in the 348s). He specifically asked the salesman if there were any power upgrades in the pipeline. He was told no. He bought the car just like this photo but with whitewalls and spinner hubcaps. A month after he took possession they came out with the Super Sport option and the 409 engine. Boy was he upset.
I am tempted to say blackwalls are on this car because you can buy new overseas ones today for this car for under $45 ea, while domestic made wide whitewalls can cost several hundred dollars each! Back in the day, upgrading a blackwall to RWL, redlines, or even double or triple! thin whitewalls was very very inexpensive.
I know of a black over red with a 348 one owner that has been stored now for many years because of an engine fire in the wiring. Used to dream of owning it when it cruised down main street when it was new