Few full-size Chevrolets stir interest quite like a genuine bubble top, and this 1961 Chevrolet Impala listed here on eBay brings that rare roofline together with a long-off-the-road California history. According to the seller, this is a real Impala bubble top, not a conversion, and it comes with both the door jamb VIN and the cowl tag still in place. The car is said to have been off the road for many years, making it a true long-term project candidate rather than a recently shuffled-around flip. Thanks for the tip, Mitchell G.!
Power comes from a 283 V8 paired with a 2-speed automatic transmission, both of which are reported to be present and believed to be original to the car. While the listing shows mileage as “0,” it’s clear that this reflects an unknown or undocumented reading rather than actual use. As with most cars that have sat for extended periods, the assumption is that recommissioning would be part of the next owner’s plan.
The car is finished in gold with a tan interior, and the seller describes it as very complete and original, which is a major plus for anyone taking on a bubble top restoration. These cars are prized not just for their dramatic roof design, but also for how well they lend themselves to different build directions. The seller openly suggests that this Impala would make a great restomod or patina-style build, and that flexibility is part of the appeal here. Whether someone wants to preserve what’s left of its originality or take it in a more personalized direction, the foundation appears to be solid and largely intact.
Another important point is that the car comes with a clean title, which immediately removes one of the biggest hurdles that often comes with long-term parked projects. Combined with the verified identification tags and California background, that paperwork makes it far easier for the next owner to focus on the actual restoration work rather than administrative headaches.
Bubble top Impalas occupy a special place in early-’60s Chevrolet history, and genuine examples are not especially common anymore—especially ones that haven’t already been fully restored or heavily modified. This one offers a chance to start with something still wearing its project status honestly, without disguise.
For the right buyer, this Impala represents the kind of long-term build that unfolds slowly and deliberately, guided by taste and patience rather than instant gratification. Whether it ends up as a subtle survivor-style cruiser or a fully modernized restomod, the rare bubble top roof ensures it will always stand apart.
Would you lean into a period-correct restoration on this bubble top, or take advantage of its blank-slate status and build something completely personalized?
You know, it’s tough NOT to start these posts off negatively, the author does a great job, despite the heinous price she wisely chooses not to disclose. I can be that “wet blanket”, they want,,gulp,,, $22,500 for this sun baked heap,( like the $500 may be negotiable),,,I,,um, you see,thing is,,,if anyone can say something positive, I suppose now’s the time to derail my negativity, but if we ever needed a poster child as to what has happened to the classic car hobby, this screams it. They seem to come through here with alarming regularity, and largely from California. Colorado isn’t any better. It’s not even funny anymore, more like a disease to think someone would actually restore this. Are we that numb to the fact of what a dollar buys, that this is acceptable?
I’ve asked this before in desperation, but do we have any “armchair” psychiatrists that can possibly explain this behavior, or am I truly alone here?
(crickets chirping)
Yes, it may very well be a disease. One I have been rightfully diagnosed with at times in my life. No, it won’t be me who restores this one, but someone certainly will.
I agree with you, when we see something likes of a 68-70 Charger That looks like something dredged from the titanic with big $$$, I frown.
But honestly, a walk around in pictures. Shows a pretty solid Chevy here. Yup, It needs everything restored, but there is not a single body panel flapping in the wind, many of the hard find pieces are there and California nice. This is one very desirable year and body style and restorable examples this solid do not come up often. Supply and demand, and yes, there IS demand for this one. I don’t know if it’s 22K demand, but it will still go for a strong number.I
Counterpoint to my above post: My thumb in the wind says these are certainly changing times. The market for special interest vehicles of the 60s is past its peak for a variety of reasons.
Generation of highest interest is passing on, lack of interest from the current generation and Skyrocketing cost of restoration.
Wild uncertainty of the economy as a whole in the country isn’t helping either. Other than a couple handfuls of people in the country with a healthy parts stash and an efficient shop this car would be a net loss $$ after restoration. As for the rest of us: You could get this car for free and still be underwater $$ at the other end. In the end, the market will speak and so far it is telling far lower number $$ than the asking on this one………,
It’s ignorance, people go to websites of people who claim to know the values of these vehicles and they listen to them when trying to figure out what to ask. People also use auction houses and websites that do actions as well. Then there’s the investors who overpay just because they have to have it, greed, when they go to sell they don’t want to loose money in their investment, so they up the price for the next buyer. People also have no restraint either, it’s in our culture, instant satisfaction, we have to have it and bam! we spend what we have to in order to get it. Businesses have sprung up to hoping to get some of the dough ray mee as well making our once affordable hobby where we actually drove them, worked on them, no longer affordable.
J, there are plenty of reasonably priced enthusiast cars if people are willing to look beyond 1960’s and early-1970’s Muscle cars. Over tthe last 50 years there have been countless makes and models produced such as 5.0 Fox body Mustangs, 94 through mid-2000’s Mustangs, most 1980’s through mid-1990’s F-body’s, C3 and C4 Corvettes, lots of pick ups, that doesn’t even touch upon imports.
The younger generations are still into older cars, they just don’t go to traditional car shows. You see them at my local track for the Wednesday night drag races, drifting events, but not weekend bracket races. You see them at more informal meet ups too.
Cars with a strong following will continue to be popular, at least for the foreseeable future, those without will become value purchases, where price and condition are what matter, you can see this happening in many cars from the 1930’s through 1950’s. Rough cars like this will stop being restored unless they are truly special, they will revert back to parts cars.
Watch popular culture, when it stops showing characters in cool vintage cars that’s a sign of a coming drop in the market. That hasn’t happened and likely won’t for decades.
Steve R
And this ones been posted on here before…..still looking for a buyer……
Sounds menopausal !
Lowrider or rat rod
This is being sold by a dealer in Texas that has had their cars featured, often more than once, on this site countless times. Every single one is priced at the top of the market it above. This 1961 Impala was featured on this site on January 10th of 2025, in what appears to be the same ad and with the same asking price. This is not the only car on the website they have had listed for that length of time, it goes to show if you buy something cheap enough then mark it up enough you can just wait for however tong it takes for a buyer to come along.
This car is rough, obviously it’s priced beyond too high based on its condition. That’s too bad, these are among some of the most beautiful looking cars of the 1960’s, it would be nice to see a set of capable hands tackle this as a clean sheet of paper build.
Steve R
My favorite of the 60’s Impalas. Two decades ago? This was a $3000 car, tops. And I’ll bet it was in the exact shape it is today.
I once bought a running and driving ’61 4 door hardtop that looked much cleaner than this for 35 bucks! (ok it was 53 years ago but still…)
Could it be that TV auctions of collectible cars, with wealthy bidders running prices up be responsible for selling rust heaps for the value they MIGHT attain after they are re-built supper fine? Owners “know what they have” maybe with little idea of the real labor or cost of building one. Just a guess
Overpriced cars are nothing new. In the early-1980’s me and a couple of friends would meet at the local 7-11 after class every Friday and buy copies of that weeks local Trader Trader, one of the highlights was laughing at all of the overpriced cars. This was well before the internet and televised coverage of auctions, most people didn’t even know about auctions.
This is a dealer that has been overpriced for years, it’s their business model.
Steve R
you think this is outrageous, take a look at the 68 charger they are peddling for 32K. Sheesh!!!
I totally get what everyone is pointing out and not trying to be “that guy”
BUT, it is also a one-year GM masterpiece with original drivetrain…California car. Most of the trim is in good shape and someone took really good care of the rearend of this thing. Not so much can be said for the front, but there is nothing missing or overly corroded that’s not replaceable. I am only referring to the vehicle itself, not the price. They stopped making these things 65 years ago!
Seeing big tin worm holes in (at least) the trunk, under the rear seat, and front floor make me wonder about the “California car” designation. Maybe it drove though there once.
Gee theres a very nice convertable gran prix that is clean and doesnt need a complete work over for $25,000 which might come down a couple grand to $23500.00 ,,,or one that needs alot of work and money $22,500.00 just to buy it and yrs trying to get it done,,MMMMMMM think about that choice is that a hard decision?
Yes Jeff, this car makes that Gran Prix look practically irresistible for the money!
That’s why it sold within 2 days. Serious buyers don’t mess around.
Steve R
It amazes me how a car can get in such a horrible condition. It appears that someone would have to go out of their way to destroy such a beautiful car!
I don’t understand the comment in the ad about a bubble top conversion. It’s a choice between either a two door hardtop or a two door sedan with different roofs. I’ve owned two of the hardtops and one sedan and every one of them was a great car, but I’m too old now to take on such a massive project.
“Finished in gold”. More accurately, “The gold is finished”.
this clapped-out impala has been for sale by this dealer for a while and no wonder its overpriced. yeah, it’s a bubble top but its beat down and will need 50-75k to bring it back. the juice is not worth the squeeze on this lemon
Now, I realize that there is currently some sort of automobile love affair going on between car folks and the “bubble top” Chevrolets, but I have only one thing to say about that and this sad old gal. What’s love got to do with it? It would take a brave soul indeed to drop that kind of foldin’ money on this car. I have been a true Chevrolet fella for my entire adult life, and I happen to be somewhat of a fan of this year and body style, but I’m afraid that this particular example is not worth anything even approaching what these folks are asking.
Thousands, thousands.not hundreds.for junk.this is laughable! Really! I would like to have a picture of the guy that buys it.americas funniest is where I would submit it to along with a pic of the car.Step right up!
Don’t know about California but it sat in Ft. Worth Tx for years. I tried to buy it many times. Found it in CL one morning and found it sold same day for $6000.
I would have been happy with it at that price.
Been with this seller awhile.
Thanks for the information on the cars history.
Steve R
This comment just drives home Steve R’s point. If we just based the pricing of these old heaps based on the ones that are featured here by the same clump of over-priced EBay sellers, we would make the incorrect assumption that everything is overpriced.
The reality is that a motivated buyer that does their homework and legwork will be able to unearth a bargain or two.
You are right, it takes time and effort to find good deals. There is a reason many of the sellers featured on this site multiply times. Everyone has friends that have a knack for finding cool and interesting cars, that’s not blind luck. That effort by potential buyers doesn’t just lead to better prices, it leads to a better selection of cars to choose from.
Steve R
Add a little bit more money and you could buy one already finished.
you’re right, it’s usually better to save up a bit more & be patient. Every time I buy something a bit hasty & a bit overpriced I see a better one for the same money a month or two later & kick myself!