Two-Door Conversion: 1961 Chevrolet Impala Project
You must sometimes look at the finer details to appreciate the thinking involved in a project build. Take this 1961 Chevrolet Impala as a perfect example. The seller is well on the path to completing what appears to be a two-door sedan build, but the fact it started life as a four-door makes the work impressive. It is a similar story under the hood, with its period-correct small-block V8 featuring a modern twist. The finish line is in sight for this build, requiring a new owner to see it through to completion. The Impala is listed here on eBay in Festus, Missouri. Bidding sits below the reserve at $9,500.
Chevrolet introduced its Third Generation Impala in 1961, with the new model featuring significant styling changes that made it appear more square and modern than its predecessor. This car started life as a four-door, with the seller performing a two-door conversion during their build. This is not the first example of this process I have seen, but it rates as the best. The finish level looks high, suggesting the work was performed to a high standard. It is always worth performing a meticulous inspection in such cases because we are discussing a process that involves tampering with a car’s structural integrity. The seller has a YouTube channel with a comprehensive collection of videos tracking this build. If any readers are serious about pursuing this classic further, wading through them could be worthwhile to gain insight into the conversion quality. Looking good is only part of the equation because substandard work could be dangerous if things go wrong. I’m not suggesting that’s the case here, but safety must be a priority. With the panels straight, the seller applied a sparkling coat of Arbor Green enamel that shows no signs of flaws or defects. Rust isn’t an issue, and the glass is spotless. The chrome is acceptable for a driver-grade build, and the wider wheels with dog dish hubcaps add a touch of subtle muscle.
This Impala’s drivetrain combination includes a 283ci V8, a three-speed manual transmission, and power steering. There is nothing out of the ordinary, with this combination placing 170hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal when the Impala was shiny and new. Performance would have been adequate but hardly startling. However, the story may be significantly different when examining the finer details. The engine exhales through a set of headers and a dual Flowmaster exhaust, and improved breathing will always unleash additional power. However, hiding under that unassuming air cleaner is an updated intake and a throttle-body fuel injection system. That should help this motor’s cause further, but it is unclear whether there are also internal upgrades. Further changes include lowered front spindles, front disc brakes, Chrysler screw-in ball joints, and a Borg Warner quick-ratio power steering box. The seller says this beauty runs and drives, and it seems it is another aspect of this build that only requires minor tinkering to produce excellent results.
The “needs finishing” theme continues when we focus on this Impala’s interior. The poor quality of the single interior shot makes it challenging to assess its overall condition, but the carpet is new, and the seat and door trims appear free from wear and tear. I can’t spot any issues with the dash and pad, and there are no signs of aftermarket additions. The seller states that most components required to install an under-dash air conditioning system are included, which may be the new owner’s only major task.
This 1961 Chevrolet Impala is a fascinating classic, and it would be interesting to know the motivation behind its conversion. The visual indications are that the work was performed to a high standard, but only an in-person inspection will confirm that. It appears to need little for the project to reach its conclusion, which might be why it has received ten bids. I would typically expect that total to be higher, but it might be that some people feel unsure about the concept or execution of this conversion. Taking the time to plow through the YouTube videos might be worthwhile because it could mean the difference between pursuing this Impala further or leaving it for another enthusiast to finish. That type of research costs nothing, and it will be interesting to see if any readers are swayed to the point of submitting a bid. So, over to you.
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Comments
Nice car. Whether body on frame or unit construction the B panel is strong enough to hold the rear doors and should be more than adequate with the rear doors welded in to keep body strength.
Well, I’m not plowing through YouTube videos, I’m a busy man,( cough), but seems to me, to convert a 4 door to a 2 door, is a big task. And then, if to go through all that trouble, why not the usual 409/4 speed that is the big seller today? I mean, it looks great, even zooming in on the pics, I can’t tell, but I’d have to think 2 door, ’62 Chevys aren’t that rare. Column shift? Oh boy, that should be funny to watch. Still, a really nice job.
Hey, my first time driving lesson was a, 3 on the tree tranny, Chevy. It was an interesting drive, for sure. My first driving test was on a hill in a manual transmission. The State drivers license inspector was old school and bemoaned current “kids” that could only use automatic trannys.
I bet most kids under 50 never heard of one(3 speed manual column shifters)let alone drove one.
Ah, for the golden age of driving……
Nice conversion…great bodyman involved
As others have stated, the conversion appears to be well done. Still wondering….why? There are still as-born 2 doors to be found. I guess if you can do the work yourself it would be pretty cool to say “I did that.” If you have to pay someone else it would be insane to do this.
Wouldn’t the builder have had to use the doors (and probably several other parts) from a 2-door to achieve this build? I haven’t looked at the videos, but it seems like it would be a lot easier than lengthening the original doors and still having to address the windows and winder mechanisms. Just askin’ for a friend…
I’ve seen two conversions like this, the latest on a Datsun 510 race car. The builder, who is a very good welder and painter, trimmed the inside framework down to where he had lateral support of the outside door skin and welded it into the original space. No loss of strength but a good loss of weight good for a race car. As for why you would do this, could be a ton of reasons, but if you had it sitting around doing nothing and you were a first class body worker, why not?
The roofline is completely different between the 4door hardtop and the 2 door bubble. Looks a bit like an 63-64 with that square quarter window. Maybe he wanted something unique?
Watch the video’s Chevy 2 door hardtop mega money. Roof is different, door glass different no swapping parts on this build. Excellent build
Look at it from this perspective…. regardless of whether the return on the builder’s investment ends up in the black, the quality of the execution getting out in the public may yield larger future benefits. Finding those who are truly gifted in the craft is getting tougher.
4 doors are cheap and plentiful . everyone wants a two door.got it?
Really? 2 doors are not wanted at ALL by today’s younger drivers – would explain why we went from EVERY!!! amer car(an incredible selection of models & body styles – espec in the ’60s) prior to ’76 being avail as a 2 door – to just ONE! old design current mustang(forget cheap stripper versions) & 1 ugly amer sports car remaining at the start of 2024. Don’t be surprised if many of our beloved 2 door classic cars are converted to 4 doors!!, or just discarded in 20 or 30 years or so by today’s/future gens. They do/will not like climbing in the back seat of a 2 door. much less cranking windows down by hand .
& don’t expect any entry level 2 door electric cars – ever – either, like the old EV-1. The upcoming EXPENSIVE new electric charger may look like the 2 door concept, but i would bet for sure it will be a 4 door.
That’s very confusing; I wondered about the shape of that top; it’s a 4 door Hardtop converted to 2 door hardtop. A factory 2 door hardtop had the very desirable ‘bubble’ rear window. A 2 door sedan has a narrow rear pillar with a wrapped around rear window. The 4 door Hardtop has the larger rear pillar, and less wrap around. Very interesting conversion. One could be the only guy at the cruise-in with that look.
It’s a one-of-none car with the roofline GM should’ve used on the 62-64 2 door hardtops instead of the lumpy, frumpy faux-convertible look.
But I still would’ve executed the conversion in Photoshop or at most 1/25 scale styrene and kept the actual car a 4 door.
Lots of time and skill went into this. Why not finish it? Shame is it will never sell for more than a 4 door in similar condition. Beware, there may be a good reason the project isn’t finished.
It does have a nice and different look that sort of rivals the look of the -bubbletop 2-door HT. It might turn the heads of a few old-timers out on the cruise circuit. I think that if this were mine, I’d probably install a big-block and a 4-speed.
Definitely a one and only. Builder did a nice job. I’ve seen some 2dr conversions where the builder just welded up the rear doors, filled in the seams and handle holes and called it a day. When I was a kid (’70-’72) a neighbor across the street had a ’61 2dr Biscayne w/ a six and P.G. It had a bad valve, ran on 5 cyl. Even with a decent body it went to the junkyard. Nobody wanted it. If we all had bought the cars we could have for 100 bucks back then and held on to them we could afford to retire now. I’m retired but I can’t afford it.
Don’t remind me. I once passed on a very nice, running, driving, 1957 Chevy convertible for 300 bucks because someone had removed all the side trim and filled in the holes. I’ve been regretting that one for 50 years.
When I was 15 in ’72 my brothers friend had a very nice 61 Biscayne with six and 3 speed on column it was a 2 door and super clean. He wanted 140.00 for it and my Dad would not let me buy it, even with my own money. Two months later when I turned 16 I bought a 1965 American Rambler.
In 1962 my uncle was selling his ’55 BelAir convertible he bought new for $150.00 and my father wouldn’t let me buy it. I had just got my license and my dad said why do you want that old car, mind you, it was 7 years old. My friend bought that car and still owns it today!!!
It’s nice for sure but I can hear and see the window leaks from here.
61 Impala 2 door was Never made by the factory with this roof line. Bel-Air, yes, but it had a post. Bel-Airs had only 2 tail lights per side, not 3. I dont know why you would do this as no production car was made like this. Preferable Bubble-Top for Impala.
Why oh why. In 61 Chevy built a lot of 2 dooor post Impalas. And they look better than this style wise. This iseems just wierd.
It’s well done this one of none. I’m glad he didn’t make a one of none 3 door. One single left door and 2 right doors.
Or, thank goodness he didn’t decide on a one of none Impala with gull winged or van style sliding doors!
Then it would be called a “Frankenpala”.
Why did he seem the front doors when a two door /door would have been easier.
I can’t believe how much work this guy put into this, (go to Utube and see his work) – he must do it for the love of it and the challence or works for $4.00 an hour. I admire his skills !!!
Just saw on Craigslist a ’61 Impala 2dr. with roof cut off. Owner wants 11,500 for it and its a non runner. I don’t know what he started with, just hope it wasn’t a bubble top. How many ’59 and ’60 Cadillacs have had their roofs cut off to make 1 of 1 “parade car” Breaks my heart when I see that.
Watch the video, you will have your answers, chevy only made a two door in a bubble top or 2 door post both these cars have different doors and rooflines. He’s started with 4 door hardtop a different roofline. Again watch the video this guy has skills
You know I was looking at it and really liking the way it looked. After reading all of your guys comments all my questions were answered. It’s like he took out that ugly bubble window that I can’t stand and made his own 2 door 1961 Impala. I’m a Lowrider guy and I just love this car. And you guys are right it’s going to turn a lot of heads. I would love to see someone low ride with all the low riding bells and whistles.
You know what’s missing is all the chrome that an original 1961 Impala has on it. I wish I had the room and the Money I would jump all over this car. It’s Beautiful. You really have to look at it. I bet he took the top and the back window off of a 62 or 63 Impala to get that nice look . Great Build
The car is a 61 & the top used is from a 62 2dr sedan
Wow, a lot to unpack here but here’s where sentiment comes into play. I learned to drive a manual trans on a ‘60 Chevy, 3 on the tree, same color. Grandpas retired car that we brought home (at 14) to drive in the fields behind my house. Being kids, we engineered replacing the non-existent floorboards by cutting plywood to fit and tying rope through the seats bolt holes to reattach them to the floor. Safety was not our priority, also evidenced by the gas can in the front passenger seat with a hose in it to fuel the beast. (Whoever rode shotgun had to hold the gas can between their feet so it didn’t tip over.) But back to the car for sale, being a ‘61 is one I’ve always sought, being a ‘61 myself, with the column shift I learned on so many moons ago, in the same color and with a (more securely mounted) quintessential bench seat for pulling my sweetie close to my side, no monstrous gas guzzling engine under the hood, this is actually right up my alley. There’s an a$$ for every seat, & I might just be that a$$ 😀
Wow ! That’s alot of work to do something like this, I know from experience. He did it because he traded for it with his work, for painting a guys truck so no cash money ! He definitely has the skill set to do a quality job and he did, watch his YouTube video’s. One of one car for sure ! with it’s formal roofline. Chevy 2 door hardtops were all bubbletops and are worth a small mint and a 2 door post is not far behind. So why not ! Watching the video the car has more body strength than it did stock. Very well thought out. One nice conversation and something that’s going to draw alot of attention, I can see people scratching there heads on this one.
“I mean you have to look at it this way…..you just hat to look at it”.
>Ed Bassmaster ;)
Did not meet reserve.