1961 Chevrolet® Impala™
"Pulses quicken and so does Chevrolet"
In many ways, the 1961 Chevrolet set the direction that the division’s full sized autos would take for the rest of the decade. Because the early 60’s began the auto industry’s move towards diversification, (compact, intermediate, sports compact, and muscle) the importance of the “regular” Chevrolet is sometimes overlooked. Yet during that time period, the Biscayne™, the Bel Air™, and especially the Impala meant much more to the American motorist than the basic transportation. The full-sized models were, in fact, the lifeblood of the industry, and in 1961 pulses were quickening.
The following year under the guidelines of Chief Designer William L. Mitchell, Chevrolet pushed the classier, crispier envelope even further. Riding the same 119-inch wheelbase that the 59’s and 60’s full-sized models had (would continue to throughout the decade), the m’61 model was actually a bit trimmer in length and width
The Horizontal fins were virtually gone, though a sculpted trace remained in the rear fender and trunk lid styling, while the side trim was a bit reminiscent of a folded wing. On the hard top coupes, a new “bubble top” featuring thin c-pillars and complex curved rear glass lightened up the greenhouse. Following the tradition set by the ’58 and the ’60 models, taillights appeared in clusters of three (Impala) or two (Bel Air and Biscayne). Interiors were refreshed with a new instrument panel, while athletically fresh but not faddish. By comparison, cross-town rival Ford took a step back towards its squarer, ’59 styling. Plymouth stepped off the planet with a look that was more spacey than space-age. The Bow-tie™ guys hit a home run.
Chevrolet had built a reputation for offering a wide variety of engine options across the full-sized model range. Buyers could order anything from a six-cylinder, manual shift darling of the fleet Biscayne to a 348 V-8, high performance powergluide, automatic boulevard hustling Impala. While GM did not officially sanction racing at this time, you’d never guessed it by reading the 1961 spec sheet. For some real hustle in the sleigh, buyer could ask Santa for the sizzling 348-cid endowed with tri-power, that delivered 350 bhp linked to a to a Warner T-10 four speed manual tranny made Chevrolet a sensational power-plant.
But five months into the ’61 model year, life got even better. Two options debuted that would make the Impala the stuff of early muscle car legends. The Super Sport™ (or SS™, as it would come to be known) package offered buyers both appearance and performance goodies. For about $54, the Impala SS owner walked out the door with power steering and power brakes with special metallic brake linings, heavy duty suspension , special exterior badging, 8.00 X 14 narrow stripe whitewalls with spinner wheel covers, a 7000-rpmn tach, a chrome floor plate for the 4-speed, dashboard padding, and a Corvette inspired passenger dash grab bar. The SS package, while supposedly offered on all Impala body styles, in reality appeared on the Sport coupe and convertible. Five engine/transmission choices were available as well.
For an engine bay that was the envy of every motor head, Chevrolet introduced the phenomenal 409-cid Turbo-fire power plant, which , with it’s single four barrel, produced a whopping 360 bhp and 409 ft/lbs. of torque. Topped by a dual snorkel air cleaner, the beastly engine featured aluminum pistons, Carter AFB carburetor, solid lifters, and other exotica, enough to propel an Impala to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, enough to make it a terror at dragstrips across the nation! Although the 409 was available in any Chevrolet, it seemed most at home impala SS, where its raw power complimented the car’s sporty image. Of the 142 409s optioned in ’61, most of them did, indeed wind up in the Impala SS.
The 1961 models especially the Impala (SS or not) rang in a new era for Chevrolet, one which collectors today are eager to own a part of. List price for the Impala line ranged from $2,536 to $2,954
