With a redesign in 1961, the styling of Chevrolet’s full-size cars was more mainstream. For example, the “batwings” that characterized the 1959-60 Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala models were gone. This ’61 Chevy is the mid-range Bel Air that was a family car with four doors (is that really a bad thing?). As a survivor, it looks sharp enough, but the engine compartment could use some detailing. With just 36,000 miles, this Bow-Tie is looking for a new home in Allen, Texas, and is available here on craigslist for $20,000. Our thanks go to T.J. for another fine tip!
The easiest way to tell a Bel Air from an Impala was the use of twin taillights vs. triples. That distinction also applied to the Biscayne, but it had less exterior bright work. The seller’s car was far from a basic Chevy and is equipped with a 283 cubic-inch V8 and a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission (which we assume are numbers matching). It was also ordered with full tinted glass but no factory air conditioning (which was still rare in those days in a lower-priced automobile).
We’re told the interior is original and seems okay, but there’s no mention of whether the paint has been redone. This Chevy sat in a barn for more than two decades, so it must have been dry in there as the Bel Air is said to be rust-free. The car was last inspected in 1981, and the vehicle’s mileage appears to have been held to a minimum.
What the seller does not get into is the Chevy’s running condition. What did it take to get the car going again and is more needed? The shape of the exterior and interior may warrant the seller’s asking price, but I would have spent some time and energy in getting the engine bay to look equally as attractive.
It looks like it has a new gas tank in the adds pictures. Looks to be an original survivor in all the pictures!
Quite a beauty actually. Ok for that price i’d expect a niftier engine bay. This is the kind of job any gearhead could do over a nice week-end with a couple of brushes, degreaser and few can’s of paint. Calling all cars here, although my knowledge of that era is a bit fuzzier but that don’t look like the original air cleaner. Am i wrong that the 283 had more of a long snorkel type unit and that perticular wide mouth unit was more on the 348/409 job’s. Correct me if i’m wrong
My mom had this in Parkwood station wagon form, same color. As kids we hated that car, with all of it’s rattles and squeaks. We spent a lot of time in the “way back” on a foam mattress, no seatbelts as we road tripped. Now, I’d love to have this car in my driveway, but $20k is a little high for my taste.
Fantastic car the way it is, though the engine compartment looks like it could use cleaning up.
Ya think! Only comment I have is why didn’t the owner take a picture of the dash.
I remember guys my age that used to take the speedometer cable inner cable out of the outer cable at the transmission.
This car has more miles on it than what the owner claims. IMO.
Plus it’s about a $8k car.
A word of caution I just finished going down that road, bringing up a long term storage vehicle back to life. Couple things. I will never do it again. You can’t really know what it needs until you get it running. Once that is done every time you drive it will be a test drive. Things that look like they are new will fail, for no apparent reason. Allott depends on how well it was prepared for its long nap. But Usually when it was stored the owners did not consider preparing it for a long time coma. If it was prepared correctly that’s good, but I doubt that ever happens. Just from my experience I would not pay 20 K for this. That was the number I started and by the time I sorted it out, that number had doubled! By then you’re so deep you can’t get out. Only buy it because you love it and hopefully want to own it long term. I may sound bitter “Oh Yeah ,I am !” Be ware do your homework. I wished I wouldn’t have fallen in love and asked advice from someone who has been there done that! Maybe that’s why the divorce rates are high.
That’s exactly how I grew tired of my last toy that sat before I got it, a 71 Olds Delta 88 Convertible. It was fun to drive, but always needed something, parts are scarce or unavailable, so things had to be rigged, which I hated doing. Finally sold it to someone else, I think in Kentucky.
You’re spot on, when I was driving the Studebaker purchased from the widow of the previous owner (and which had been stored in her garage for years), it was a bit of a white knuckle experience, listening to every squeak and rattle and feeling every vibration, wondering,”OK, what’s going to happen on this trip?”
Why do you think they’re selling it?
Grandkids want $$$$$$$..for the latest electronic gadgets!!
I always liked the tight lines of the ’61 GM cars. The wrap around rear window adds to the appeal.
Too bad this is not. A TWO DOOR HARDTOP belair
4 door hardtops are better!!!!!!!!
Wow on the outside its beautiful looking. But the engine compartment scares me. Especially that master cylinder!! I would not trust it going 2 blocks! And what’s with that enormous muffler! $20,000 sorry too much!! Maybe if the 283 and everything else was cleaned up and painted correctly and no issues!!! Yes that would be a fair price. Buyer beware….🐻🇺🇸
Ya think! Only comment I have is why didn’t the owner take a picture of the dash.
I remember guys my age that used to take the speedometer cable inner cable out of the outer cable at the transmission.
This car has more miles on it than what the owner claims. IMO.