Every once in a while, a listing comes along that reminds us of the raw side of the “barn find” world. This 1961 Chevrolet Impala, now listed here on eBay, isn’t tucked away in a climate-controlled garage or sitting under a dusty car cover. Instead, it’s wedged under a collapsed shed, pinned by a fallen tree, and slowly sinking into the ground. It’s not the kind of project for the faint of heart, but for the right buyer, it could be an unforgettable rescue. Thanks for the tip Mitchell G.!
The seller provides only the basics: the car is a 1961 Impala showing 23,455 miles, painted blue, and clearly in need of a full restoration. Beyond that, there’s no information on the drivetrain, the interior, or even whether the car can be accessed without first clearing the structure that’s fallen on top of it. The photos are the only clues, and they show a once-proud Chevy that hasn’t seen daylight or a set of keys in many years.
Pulling this Impala out won’t be as simple as loading it onto a trailer. Between the collapsed shed and the tree sitting across the roof, it may require specialized equipment just to remove the car from where it rests. The condition of the frame, floors, and engine bay is unknown. Likewise, there are no photos of the interior, so it’s hard to say what’s left inside. Given how long it’s been exposed, it’s fair to assume that everything will need attention—from bodywork and metal replacement to drivetrain, wiring, and upholstery.
On the other hand, the 1961 Impala remains one of the most iconic Chevrolets of the early ’60s. With its clean body lines, jet-inspired styling, and wide range of available trims and powerplants, the model has become highly collectible. Restored examples, especially SS versions with the right engines, are sought after, and even project cars often find eager buyers.
This one is clearly a massive undertaking. But for someone with the tools, determination, and vision to bring it back, rescuing a car in such dire condition can be just as rewarding as finding one preserved in storage. It’s a piece of history, and at this point, saving it would be nothing short of a heroic effort.
Would you take on the challenge of pulling this 1961 Impala back from the earth, or is this one best left as a cautionary tale of what happens when a barn find is left too long?
April 1 again? Seller should be PAYING for this extraction…
You are right, rather than trying to sell it, they should be happy if they can find someone to haul it away for free. They probably have a friend that is an “expert” in old cars that told them it’s worth a lot of money.
Steve R
Sorry folks, that’s a 1962 Impala. looks to have parts on it…
you are right it is a 1962 Impala big difference in style
Sorry folks, the barn is closed. The moose should have told you that!
Surprisingly, the top side of this car is probably the better side!
Three on the tree?
Tree on the three!
That’s a ‘62.
Low rider
A little suspicious we can’t access the car, but somehow it’s been determined to have 23k on it? Seriously Gracie?
How’d he get in the door, to check the mileage? And it is a piece…
Sinking back to nature!
Well..there are some decent looking emblems trim and other stuff..prolly worth at least 500 bucks worth of parts.So tell the owner if he pays you 250 bucks to pull it out you’ll give him 250 bucks :P
Now, That, is a barn find…
Came here to see the comments and they did not disappoint. What a piece of junk.
This is a new low, for car sales!
It’s in Canada. Opening bid is US$1448 with no bids. A buy it now at US$ 1800. The pole barn will have to be removed, looks like it is sunk in the ground up to the frame. A four door sedan, not even a hardtop. The least desirable body style. Offhand I would say at least $300 to get it out and onto a trailer, plus listening to this guy gripe about the mess left behind. Not even for free.
Looks like they already took off the tail lights and sold them. Probably the only easily accessible parts on this dog.
If only it were a CPO 427 with a 4 speed, bidding would be through the roof.
It is a 62 or why would anyone waste time trying to hang a 62 rear on a 61 must be a type o
Some people don’t know what they have and can’t look at the title to read what it is.
TITLE ??????????? No where is a title even mentioned for this ’62 Impaler .
Too bad it’s not a CPO 427 with a 4 speed. Bidding would be through the roof.
Beth Puck: It’s a 1962 4 door hardtop.
Or post.
RWDrifter: it’s a sedan, not a hardtop. The 4 dr sedan’s side windows have a door frame around them, hardtops don’t.
how do you expect them to know that when the can’t even get the year rt it’s a 62 not a 61
Too much effort for something that is not terribly desired. I believe that the missing tail lights were removed before “the tree incident” . As they are unbolted from inside the trunk. So it was a parts car BEFORE it became a “collectable in distress”.
I look at that and laugh at all the comments on here. I have picked up WAY worse with trees grown though them sitting for 40+ years in the woods yet still brought it back to roadworthy just because I wanted to and my labor is all free and adapting parts tends to be cheap. Its a better project for a younger guy not a old man that just shuts down any project that looks too hard.
Well sure if you approach it from a fun challenge direction. Go for it!
“Buried Treasure” eh? Whoever writes the headlines should be doing standup as a career.
1961 had fins on some trunks, hard to tell if 61-62-63 most had 3 tail lights depending on models, I like the 63 Impala SS with 409.
Hard to tell 61-62-63 apart?? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Easy peasy. Anyone born before 1955 should be able to spot them at a simple glance.
So, basically the owner wants someone to pay him to clear out his collapsed pole barn and haul away a crushed, sinking vehicle? Seems legit.
piss poor listing. now after all this time the want to sell it. they should be paying somebody to do that. lot needs to be done to get that pos out of there. most likely no floors left and frame damage from being on the ground. have at it
how to figure the total milage. you count the rings on the tree and count backwards from now and there you go . junk
I agree with Tony definitely a 62 NOT a 61 but 4 door post probably a 6 nothing much desirable even for parts maybe the bumpers and grill ?
Certainly not in my wheelhouse of interest
$2,000 current bid and $2500 buy it now somebody sees way more potential in this demolition derby car than I do
I think it’s already been demolished. No derby entry required.
I can tell that it’s a ‘62 4 door sedan- and I’m a Ford guy.
The ask is too high. Cheap enough it could be a “first car” project. Maybe the seller will adjust accordingly when it doesn’t sell. 🤷♂️
He doesn’t even know what year his car is. Does he know how to look at the title and read it? ’62 is a desirable year, and after putting $60,000 to $80,000 in it this 4 dr sedan could be worth maybe $20,000 to $25,000. Rotsa ruck.
Back in ’76 I had a ’62 Belair 4door with a 283 and PowerGlide. It was a 50 dollar beater. Drove it for a while and junked it in trade for 2 Chrysler rims for my fathers Cordoba. I guess I should have kept it, I coulda been rich.
I need some wood for my smoker
Unless there are the perfectly preserved remains of Jimmy Hoffa, Elvis Presley, and John the Baptist, along with 1,000 pounds of gold bars plus George Washington’s original ax, in the trunk (The car’s, not the tree’s), I would most likely pass on this opportunity.
Aside from all the above, there are two too many doors for it to be worth while assuming the buried portion is in one piece. I’ve seen caskets that same color, buried for that same period of time, and they were not in good shape.
Apparently im the only one in this comment section that likes this thing. Has a nice patina look. If the frame was ok it wouldn’t be too bad. Im sure floors need some sheet metal work and then drop a junkyard LS in there with a old 4 speed and it would be a cool cruiser. I dont need a title and i dont care how many miles are on it.
Well Luke it’s all yours go for it!! LOL good luck with that
Im already currently deep into a project that I have from barnfinds. ……one in way worse shape to start with.
Just give me a chain saw, spud bar, estwing hammer , I have that mess cleaned off the car by noontime, 👍 not much there. Honestly, you can show the roof collapse, but then show pictures of the car after it’s been dug out, after all isn’t the car the focus here ?
Buried treasure? Looks like a lode of fool’s gold to me. I’m with Stan: 1-800- The Hook!
What makes some of the commenters think this ‘ 61 / ’62 Impaler has a title, none is mentioned in the sparse E-BAY listing ?
What makes some of the commenter’s think this ‘ 61 / ’62 Impaler has a title, none is mentioned in the sparse E-BAY listing ?
I think the seller put this up to get laughs, and commentary. He has a lively sense of humor.
Can you call it a Barn Find if you can’t find a Barn?
Great comments. Love this website!
Most “commented” listing!