Rusty Bubbletop: 1961 Chevrolet Impala
The Impala became a series of its own in 1959 after starting out as a special edition of the Bel Air in 1958. For 1959-60, the cars were as wild looking as they came with flat tailfins that looked like a runway. Things would get toned down in 1961, giving way to a run of some of the best-styled cars to come out of Detroit. This ’61 Impala Sport Coupe has the “bubbletop” roofline, a single-year offering on the top series. This one once had a 348 cubic inch V8 which has been replaced by a non-running 396. Rust and all, it’s located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is available here on eBay for the first $5,000 (or Make Offer).
Chevrolet would build 178,000 Sport Coupes (aka Bubbletop) in 1961, but they were spread across both the Impala and Bel Air lineups. In 1962, the Impala switched to a more formal roofline while the Bubbletop would only be offered on Bel Air and then gone altogether in 1963. This roof design allowed for a lot more glass and visibility than other body styles. This Impala would have been rare if it was the limited edition Super Sport or had the new 409 V8, but used a 348 which likely saw fewer installations than the basic 283 small-block eight-cylinder.
At some point, the 348 took flight to be superseded by a 396 of unknown vintage, but not offered until 1965. We’re told there’s a 4-speed manual transmission present with the correct floor shifter. Little history is provided on the car other than it was likely last on the road nearly 50 years ago (1974 to be precise). The 396 won’t start and the odometer reading may or may not be accurate at 55,000 miles.
This once-Ermine White Impala has loads of surface rust and it may be worse than that in several places on the sheet metal. I’d be especially concerned about the viability of the rear quarter panels and the seller admits the Chevy will need floors, rocker panels, and a replacement of the trunk. Some of the interior pieces have been transplanted from later model Chevies, like the bucket seats, console, and steering wheel. To help the buyer get started on a restoration (?), as a bonus the seller is providing a new fuel tank, sending unit, and filler neck. Is this an Impala that you’d invest heavily into restoring?
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Comments
Restore no , customize maybe .
but this bubbletop matches well with the body, however, the most beautiful roof would come in 1962.
1962 Belair also had bubble top
Anyone else hear a banjo? Sorry, sorry, that movie falsely depicted the great folks of the mid-south, an image that took years to erase. This is the coolest post, and should garner a couple of responses. From the S-10 wheel( I didn’t know they fit a ’61 Chev) and other mismatched rims, to the generator, to the incorrect placement of the tail lights, to the standard no air cleaner, to the “racing mirror” on the right door, and none on the left door, the rust, oh so typical of my memories, and I don’t know where to begin on the interior. It appears, every owner added their “touch”, leaving the previous one. Why do all turn signal flashers hang below the dash? Pontiac overtones, a poor( maybe cool at one time) attempt at tuck and roll, gauges all askew, I’d put this on display, as the epitome, nay, tribute to the backyard mechanic,,clearly with a junkyard nearby.
It’s auction time again, oh, I love seeing these rich clowns peeing away a fortune. Granted it IS Las Vegas, but the vehicles are just over the top, not a stone in a tire, and Armour All( or equivalent) reigns supreme. Wouldn’t it be fun to display this, with a “do not touch” sign, as to show what the real world had and watch the reactions.
Again, special thanks to Russ for a great post.
Oh dear…
This is what most used classic cars used to look like back in the 1980’s. At least in the north east. Rusty beyond belief. But they usually still ran back then.
Points n Plugs … thing would be pretty snappy w/ that 396 OR a 348 …
I prefer Any day my wife’s 283 over ANY big block!
It doesn’t have points, it’s HEI
The older I get, the more I realize how insidious and nasty rust is. It usually makes working on a car an absolute nightmare. Little things, like bolts getting stripped because they’re frozen on. Then of course there are major problems like body integrity. I’d tread very carefully with this one.
Is not a 61 steering wheel.Alot of work.
1968 steering wheel, I think.
Looks like a good $500 parts car. There’s not enough there to restore. Even the incorrect engine appears to be seized. If not too far gone, it might make a good hot rod. Take a good look at the frame first. If good, blast the body, replace gone sections, and spray a 50/50 paint job. Rebuild the 4 speed and new clutch. Find a decent used engine to drop in. I think a 4.8 liter would be a good fit, and they seem to be plentiful. Front disc brakes from a newer Chevy and a stroll through the local pick & pull for whatever else you need. No worries being original, just whatever you like. Then drive it every day and have fun. I could have done a lot myself 40 years ago, and a kid today could have a lot of with it.
Hey Dave, take off Another 0 off the price & that would be more in the ball park for this Rust Bucket!!!
Rust bucket? C’mon guys. This is an environmentally friendly car. It’s trying to recycle itself.
I would say – $2,000.00 the way it sits. Tops. If that engine can be brought back to life without a total rebuild, you might have a fighting chance. As Bick Banter said “ rust is nasty “ so I would HAVE TO check the car out thoroughly before I handed over the cash. I love these cars and would love to have one but at the same time I don’t want to “buy into an impossible project “ BUT – there’s is hope! Especially with a 4-speed! Nice article.
It’s a plausible project, which needs a total frame off to identify all possible rust and required parts. If I was going to that extent, a return to the original state would be necessary for me. As I have mentioned numerous times on this site, regarding findings or locating viable cars that have NOT been restored, you are looking for a needle in the hay stack and seeing the final GASP of what remains of the greatest era of cars to roll off American assembly lines. In the next 2 years even these will be gone, gone for ever..then watch the prices go even more nuts! Good luck at that point!
If you don’t know to weld, buy this one. You’ll be an expert by the time you’re done.
The first car I can remember my Dad owning. Metallic blue with a blue and white interior. No ice cream was allowed to be eaten in that beauty!
this is just me rambling but back in the 80’s these cars were just 2 door hardtops. The 62 bel airs were known as the bubbletops. Somewhere along the way someone started calling the 61’s bubbletops. Whats next? are the 59 and 60 two door hardtops going to be called bubbletops? I don’t know why this perplexes me.
I had a 61 Impala same colors as this one with a 348 4 speed and it was a bubble top in 61 and yes the 59 & 60’s were also called bubble tops back then.
B.S. Paul. These were NEVER called Bubble tops in 1961. They were 2 Dr. Hdtps or 2 Dr. coups! I know. I was there & I bought a ’61 Convertible same color in 1962 from a dealership. NEVER did I hear the stupid term of BUBBLE TOP being used for the 2 Dr. HDTP!!!!!
Me too, Timothy! My wife is the original owner of a ’61 Impala same color minus ALL the BROWN!!!! Her parents bought it for her for High School graduation in June of ’61. Could you imagine what a salesman would have thought in 1961 if someone came into the dealership & asked to see their Bubble tops??? Sheeesh! Stupid name!
I had one in ’75 in south-east NY & people called it & the 62 bel air 2 door hardtop my friend had, bubbletop. They both had the same extra bulge or extension, whatever, in the top front of the rear glass. The 60 & 59 did not have the bit of extra glass there & glass curved down right after the metal ended. More of an even curve down on the 60/59. This seen better when looking down at the junction. In other words, the 60 & 61 rear glass is different. People then didn’t call the 60 a bubbletop. I noticed in the last 10-20 years in internet ads, people selling 60 Impala’s started calling them bubbletops, I think as a selling point rarity thing.
ONLY the’62 BelAir was called the bubble top! ONLY!!!
Sorry not worth restoring at today prices
That’s for dang sure, dogwater!!!!!
Well, stick a fork in it because it is done.Frame off I dunno, these are as flimsy as convertibles once the innards are eaten away. I have seen these bend and flex and the windshield or back glass pop out off the body frame. I recall a 62 Belair that came through the yard I worked in during the 80s. Rusty like this, when I picked the car up with the loader, the windshield popped out of the body. this is likely as bad or worse. On the flip side I put this driveline in a 62 hardtop in the 80s when they were a dime a dozen and that car rolls quite well.
Anything is fixable…if you have the time, patience and money. To restore this in my opinion isn’t worth it, but to get her running, patch her up a bit clean up the interior and drive her on perfect weather days..lol! Who cares what she looks like she’d be glad to get back on the road. I’m doing the same thing to a 63 GP a bit rusty, but she’s a complete numbers matching running 389. Interior is decent upholstery wise. It will be a budget built for sure. Just want her back on the road. Tires were last put on in 1978..while the last registration was from 2011, doubt she saw to many miles since 78…tires had barely any wear.
Rusto,sounds like you have a deep attachment to your car! If you are going to the extent to get her back on the road, you may as well give the ole girl the face lift she deserves! You are taking her to the dance, may as well ensure you finish the job!
There is no saving anything like this it’s junk scrap
No Face Lift in the world would help This Rust Bucket!
If your not a metalworker/welder it might be difficult to restore but otherwise restorable.
57 with all due respect, please give it a break! You have already made everyone aware of how to trash a car on this site! My comment was directed towards another car enthusiast, not toward your continous negative rant about a fellow car owner! A little respect would be greatly appreciated! As they say, if you have nothing positive to say, please keep your mouth shut!
You cannot even get scrap price for this. They pay for scrap iron not rust
John, I have noticed your negativity towards about every car on this site. I am not sure if you have ever had a positive comment regarding cars on this site? My Q is, why even participate on this site if everything is trash? Is it not a waste of your time?Why not go to another site where cars have been restored and comment on how they cost too much? Take care
Hey Danny & Not Again, When they print No Negative Comments in the Rules: Then I will oblige! Until then, we all the the right to exercise our First Amendment Rights! Thank you!