In the fifties, decorative quarter panels and overstyled rear sections were popular trends in the automotive industry, with the early Chevrolet Impalas featuring distinctive yet attractive designs in these areas. When the car was redesigned in 1961, it lost a lot of the prominent curvatures in these regions, but the new body was sleek and proved it didn’t need all the eccentric bends and slopes to look good. This 1961 Impala here on Facebook Marketplace in Macomb, Michigan, appears to be a very nicely preserved example, and it’s also had quite a few new parts installed recently. Barn Finds reader Ted liked this one too, and we’d like to thank him for sending us the tip here! The seller is looking to either pocket $16,000 in cash or is also very open to the idea of a trade.
The third-generation 4-door Impala was available in both hardtop and sedan form, with this one being of the more traditional latter variety, featuring the center side B-pillar and door window frames. Other than the unusual curved rear glass, the styling was a bit more tame than the Impala had worn in the past, but the side trim with just that small section of red paint is really effective at making this one stand out, while remaining somewhat conservative. It’s not specified whether this one’s ever received any bodywork or how old the paint is, but the exterior currently appears to be in excellent condition, and I’m not spotting any areas that look like they need attention.
Under the hood, things are clean, orderly, and nicely detailed, with this one having the entry-level size V8 measuring in at 283 cubic inches. It’s got an Edelbrock manifold with a Holley 4-barrel sitting on top, with the seller reporting that this Chevy runs and drives great. This one’s also said to have quite a few new parts, including a gas tank, steering linkage, plus a complete exhaust system. The car is also equipped with power steering and brakes.
Only one photo of the interior is provided, but it’s enough to surmise that most everything in here looks just as good as the exterior. I like how the car is mostly white outside with a subtle red section, but features more red than white inside, which is a tasteful contrast. I’m really not finding much not to like here, except the possibility that this one may have too many doors for some potential buyers. Is this 1961 Chevrolet Impala sedan worth the $16k the seller is seeking?
Aw come on, no wait, it’s why I’m here, this was my Grandpa Sams car after he totaled the Packard. I vaguely remember the Packard, but this was the 1st car I remember him with. It was blue, and may have been a BelAir, but close enough. We all knew, if he could have bought another Packard in 1961, he would surely have done so, but the ’61 Chevy was as American as he could get. Dinah Shore had a profound effect on his purchase, I’m sure. I know younger folks look at this, and think how outdated it looks, but rest assured, the ’61 Chevy was a hit, to the tune of over 1.2 MILLION cars that year. Gramps coughed up almost $2500 bucks for this car, got nothing for the Packard, I’m sure, but for $2500 bucks, you got the best chariot for the family. They were wonderful cars. Grandpa knew what a good car was, and passed that on to me.
I had a plain jane white ’61 Biscayne, a six with three on the tree and overdrive. It had the same exact body as this car and its interior was blue. I drove that car for a few years and never even gave it so much as a tune up, just oil and filter changes. It’s one of my many cars I wish I had back.
Don’t you drive a Jeep, Howard?
I drive a Jeep too Rex but rode around in these beauties throughout my childhood and owned 3. There is this pleasant, harmonic whine of a 283 or 327 mated to a power glide that sounds like nothing else and I’m sure Howard knows what I am talking about. Blue collar couples who recognized quality, looks and purpose purchased and drove these vehicles.
Very clean 4 door here with power brakes and steering and a v8 to go with it. price seems right. This would make a nice weekend cruiser! Leave it this way and no add on stuff such as wheels and A/C
Looks like a dual pot master cylinder has been added. A nice braking upgrade.
another crew cab. this looks really good in the color combo. looks like it’s had some mods done under the hood as well. looks to be a solid driver
I bought this exact car with the reverse colour scheme from a friend in Sept. 1983. My friend had dragged it out of a barn years before and we spent hours cleaning the mice out of it. What a stink. He got it all ship-shape and it went into storage. It sat for a few years I bought it and loved driving it daily. Then in November his mother wanted a new car so I bought her 1972 Olds Cutlass 2dr H/T (with factory 8 track), trading the ’61 back to my friend. The car went back into storage but last year his grandson took it for his high school ride. He has got to be king og the parking lot.
My father bought a 61 station wagon and it had the 3rd seat facing out the back window .
It was a 283 automatic and for a big car it moved pretty good.
Our next door neighbors had a ’61 Nomad in these colors, with a 348. It was a nice looking car, although being a Ford guy, I wouldn’t admit it. They also had four pretty daughters.