When a seller mentions that he doesn’t know cars, sometimes that can be advantageous for a buyer or vice-versa. But even with the owner’s perceived lack of knowledge about this 1961 Chevrolet Bel Air for sale here on eBay, this one seems like a fun driver just like it is plus there’s big block power, so if you’ve been on the hunt for an early sixties Chevy with that distinctive wrap-around glass it’s probably worth checking out. The Bel Air is located in Cape Coral, Florida, where 25 bids have presently taken the no-reserve auction to just a few dollars shy of 11k.
The historical value of the early Chevrolet big block engines is well-documented, but the why factor may be a bit less understated, with one of the key reasons for its inception revolving around the need for more torque to help adequately power trucks and heavier cars in the future. Redesigning the block did increase the outer size a bit, but this allowed for more cubic inches inside and higher compression options, along with additional flexibility for cylinder bores and more heavy-duty heads, resulting in the 348 big blocks being introduced in 1958. Two versions were available, the Turbo Thrust with a single Rochester 4-barrel, and the Super Turbo Thrust with a trio of 2-barrels, followed by the 409 which was first available in 1961.
Unfortunately, the seller tells us he’s not a car expert in general and specifically knows little about this one, but the trained eye will immediately notice a 409 discrepancy when looking under the hood here. The seller lists in his description under the heading a line that reads “1961 Chevy Bubble Top 409 Tri-Power”, but that carb setup from the 348 didn’t carry over to the 409, which itself came with either a single four-barrel or a pair. There were also a variety of engines available in the Bel Air for ’61, including the 348 with three two-barrels, and while the 409 was the top dog it’s never confirmed this is the original motor or even the same displacement the Chevy was equipped with from the factory. To further complicate matters, the seller mentions the valve covers say 409, but they read 409 horsepower, not CI, and that HP variant didn’t come around until 1962. The 409 and 348 also look a lot alike on the outside, but one key difference is the placement of the oil dipstick, which is on the driver’s side on the 348, and I’m sure not spotting the oil checker on the passenger side here, so unless I’m missing something crucial this one checks the boxes for a 348.
But back to the rest of the Chevy, some good news is it’s a big block and the car is stated to be a low-mileage original, which the seller says he obtained from an older gentleman a few years ago. It’s referred to as a good candidate for a restoration or fixer-upper, but there’s not much outside I want to tinker with as the exterior seems fine for a driver just the way it is. I’d just get behind the wheel and enjoy watching the car turn heads, as the seller claims it does right now.
We only get two shots from the interior, and while it’s not perfect, to be 60-plus years old now I’m not complaining about how anything inside looks. Also, if the odometer had rolled over I’d expect more wear and tear, especially on the driver’s area of the bench, so the 72k miles might be accurate. This one seems like a cool cruiser as it sits, and I’d for sure drive it around for a while before even considering taking the car to a higher level outside or in, how about you?
I’m kind of wondering about the transmission. If its original its probably a powerglide. But a powerglide with a 348 tripower or even a 409? I know you could get the powerglide with a 409 back then, but still, you’d lose some performance not having a 4 speed. It looks like a solid car with good bones. Im just wondering if it was originally a straight 6.
Could also be a Turbo Glide, which IMO, would be a better choice for all that torque. Just sayin.
I love an old Chevy, but nothing I hate more than a powerglide. My brother had one in a Corvair, it was the slowest dog I ever drove, that is until I had a girlfriend in high school that had a Vega with a glide.
Remember the old saying: ‘Slip and slide with a PowerGlide’!!
PG was never used on Vegas.
My girlfriend’s sister had a ’71 Vega with a Powerglide.
This is a cool looking Chevy. Either way if it’s a 348 or 409 is still a win. This is the first time I seen a tri-power setup on this type of Bel Air. I bet it can smoke them up real easy. The trans is the question. What is it. I wonder if you can put a Turbo 400 in it? That would be better for the big block. Otherwise I see someone is going to steal this ride! Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
You can build a pretty stout powerglide – that trans is still used in drag racing. But it wouldn’t be my first choice. A friend has one behind a 454 in a gm a body and it will snap your head back when it shifts
This is a 1961 model. That would be a cast iron Powerglide. The aluminum came out in 62. The aluminum one can be made into a strong trans but not the cast iron one.
It seems that I have been told that you can tell a 348 from a 409 external by certain features. For the life of me I don’t remember what they were. Maybe location of the dipstick or something similar. I am sure someone on here can expound on this
Read the write up, it explains your question.
409, big balancer, 6 quart oil pan with dip stick on the right side of the engine. It was the quickest way I was taught eons back when these cars rolled through the wrecking yard. Finally the block stamp code most 09s were QA codes.
348 or 409 doesn’t make much difference anymore.
The car is very tasteful. No exaggerations.
A perfect choice.
I always liked the flat roof on these cars.
I’m waiting for bench seats to come back in new cars. So roomy. Don’t feel like your hips are in a sling.
My 409 had the oil dipstick on the passenger side,348s on the drivers side.
Rockers and wheel wells are bubbling. Rally wheels are painted to match the car. Probably done when the car was repainted.
In 1961 the Turboglide automatic tranny was also available and was the last year it was offered.
Turbo glide was available until 1963 gm sold a kit to re place the turbo glide with a powerglide in the shop where I worked we converted quite a few the last one I remember doing was a 1963 impala turbo glide was a junk transmission
Turboglide’s last hurrah WAS in 61; anyone who thinks otherwise is mistaken. A lot were replaced with PGs ‘cuz the TG was not bulletproof like the PG, they were expensive to repair, and in some cases it was cheaper to switch one out than to fix it. The main problem was that guys drove them like a PG, using the GR (Grade Retard) position like the L on a PG. GR was ONLY for extra downhill braking, they were not a L, and would disintegrate quickly if they used for any other purpose. They were not a performance tranny, however they were extremely smooth since, like a Dynaflow, they didn’t shift. I owned two 61s with Turboglides, one in the 60s, one in the 90s. Both were behind a 283 4barrel motor. I had no problem with either of them, but they were not ‘hot-rodded’. They are frequently confused with the Turbo Hydramatic due to the similarities in name.
Turbo glide was installed only 1957-1961.
The 409 was not available with ANY automatic in 1961 or 1962. Nor was there a three-two-barrel option for the 409, ever. 348 intakes will NOT fit a 409, except for the 1963 or later 340 hp hydraulic lifter 409. This ‘61 seems to be misrepresented. Who knows what else is wrong with it?
Scam…. stay away
I agree.
If the V-8 trunk emblem is original to car then it is a 348 or possibly 409.
The 283 was also available, and would have the same trunk emblem.
But not with the crossed flags.
I don’t think this is a “bubble top”…..but then again, I’m a Ford guy.
The Turboglide was a problem transmission back in the day. However, I understand that some transmission shops today can rebuild them and give them good performance and durability.
Is the statement “I don’t know much about cars” the sellers way of telling the buyer later on “I really didn’t know I was conning you.” I was watching BJ Auction a few years ago when a ’62 went across the block and the commentator says we now have more 409s than we had in ’62. It was something special [accessories] and there was only six built in ’62 and they had seven at the auction. So buyer BEWARE.
Driver’s side dipstick; 348, passenger side dipstick; 409. Also 409 valve covers were painted silver, 348’s were painted orange. This is a nice car but it needs an in-person inspection for sure.
FWIW you can see the dipstick in the Ebay listing on the drivers side…
Cobbled car. Base Biscayne with a 6 cylinder originally I bet. The trunk emblem came from a 1961 Impala SS 409. Fun car but FAKE. Needs a 4 speed Muncie with the 1961 Chrome/crinkle black top shifter plate and red bucket seat interior. Paint it Black!
Definitely a 348. Although the 409 was available that year it only came with a single carb at 360 HP. The 348 could be had w/ 3 deuces for 10 HP less at 350 HP. Also, 409 valve covers were all painted silver.
I’m thinking a nicely built PowerGlide would be my choice, they make parts for those that can just about make it almost bullet proof, now if cruising is the thought I suggest using an add on overdrive… so strip use the PG, cruising and want decent fuel mileage use the o/d on the highway. If that don’t suit you there’s always that 700R4, the early ones used a cable for line pressure/shifting stuff and they do make valve bodies to make them manually shifted, so u won’t have those pesky electronic shifting issues… or if you really want bullet proof use the Chrysler 727, and if ur particular u could always use a 42 or 46RE which gives u O/D also but use the early type with the mechanical governor
Powerglides are still popular on the dragstrip but, who wants a 2 speed trans in a street car??
Nice car but definitely NOT a “bubble top”. THe bubble top was a 2 door hardtop. This car is in fact a 2 door sedan. Had one with 4 doors and what turned out to be a 327 in it… ;-)
I was wondering how this could be an Impala. One thing Chevy did consistently from ’61 through ’65 was: two taillights for the Biscayne, three taillights for the Impala. You can swap the emblems, but unless the car has 3 taillights on each side, it’s a Biscayne, and didn’t start out as an Impala.
This body style is referred to as a flat top, not a bubble top. The bubble top has a more rounded roof with a rear glass more or less follows the curve of the roof and an extremely narrow C pillar, and it is a hardtop car as mentioned above.
Ron: did you mean, bubble tops are hardtops, which they are. This 61 “post car” is called a 2-door sedan & called flat tops also.
348/280 horse
Outside rear view mirror?
As I remember, Chevrolet didn’t make driver’s side outside rearview mirrors standard until the 1966 model year. Before that, they were dealer-installed options.
I have always liked this style roofline better than the bubble tops.
Well since it’s already been molded and if it doesn’t get stupid expensive you have “permission” as it were to modify it some more.
The 4 speed or even a 5 speed with a cue ball shifter know, disc brakes, updated steering, and away we go.
I’d love it.
I was always under the impression that 409’s have chrome valve covers, though i admit im not positive, but everyone ive ever seen had them
Depended on the year and horsepower rating.
sold for 22 and change
Turbo glide was installed only 1957-1961.
Turbo glide, junk! I had a 59 convertible with this 348 3×2 Turbo glide setup…awful. I sold that car and bought a fully loaded 283 pg convertible that I hold to this day. I also had a blue Belair version of this 61 with a 283 with a 3 on the tree with power steering, a tissue box, light dimmer and a power seat. It was fun to drive and one of a few I sold in the 90s for at the time was great money for tired looking somewhat rusty car. Mine even still had it dog dish caps on it back then. I paid 75.00 for it.
sold for $22,655.