National Award Winning Roman Red Impala Convertible 348 Tri-Power V8 T10 4 Speed

1961 Chevrolet Impala Description

SUMMARY

Nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration completed in March of 2014
Winner of multiple national awards
Correct 348 cubic inch Tri-power V8
Correct Borg Warner T10 4-speed manual transmission
Correct Roman Red paint
Correct Red and White interior
Sale includes restoration receipts, Eckler's judging sheets, an Eckler's Platinum Certificate and an AACA plaque
Power steering
Power drum brakes
Power top

Experience tells us some restorations are so nice there's simply no way we can charge enough to cover the cost of their build. And with early Impala convertibles being high dollar purchases as is, we can't imagine what it took to transform this killer drop-top into a 3-time national award winner. See, collector cars are all about passion. And the best metal is created when the goal is more than simply making a profit. Wrapping correct red and white aesthetics around a correct Tri-power/4-speed drivetrain, this slick ragtop is the kind of well-done classic that'll have you racking up trophies and dreaming of sunsets. If you're one of the many enthusiasts who's constantly torn between the cool feeling of cruising the strip and the proud feeling of rounding the show circuit, why not enjoy a little of both?

BODYWORK/TRIM

The proud recipient of 2014 AACA First Junior and Senior awards, this impressive Impala is only test miles removed from a 5-year, nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration. Discovered in long-term storage back in 2007, the car was promptly purchased, completely dismantled and fitted with new floors, new rockers and thoroughly worked quarters. With that metal solid and freshly blocked, bright white vinyl was stretched over a correct coat of Roman Red 2-stage. And, in March of 2014, the car debuted as a fully reborn classic that's poised to show and raring to go!

In the early '60s, Chevrolet's newly anointed line topper certainly did its share to pad the polishing industry. And, as with its sculpted body, all of this Impala's jewelry has been returned to glare-inducing condition. At the front of the car, a broad stainless grille hangs a bright Chevrolet crest between a bulleted bumper, four T3 headlights and clear parking lamps. Above that grille, a wide-set "CHEVROLET" script stretches between cool '60s Impala fender toppers. Below those toppers, jet-inspired trim hangs ornate Impala badging behind familiar door handles. At the tops of those handles, a power-operated roof rides between stainless-trimmed glass, a small bowtie mirror and an angled antenna. And behind that antenna, six Impala-exclusive taillights illuminate a second bumper and flat fins that terminate at a second Chevrolet crest.

ENGINE

When you tilt this Impala's hood, it's easy to see how the car scored 994 out of 1,000 points on its way to winning Best Engine Compartment at the 2014 Eckler's Classic Chevy International. Directly in front of you, 348 cubic inches of Super Turbo Thrust V8 proudly displays a correct "FA" suffix stamp in front of a correct 3755011 casting number. A staple of working-class luxury, this impressive, big torque big block is one of the many reasons the Impala enjoys such fantastic name recognition. And absolutely every item from its thick coat of Chevy Orange paint to its unique, bowtie-branded valve covers has been rebuilt, refinished or replaced. Front and center, a Satin Black, dual-snorkel air cleaner funnels wind in to a fully restored tri-power set up that includes three Rochester carburetors and a network of stainless fuel lines. At the sides of those carbs, restored exhaust manifolds allow the oversquare cylinders ample breathing room by funneling spent gases in to correct, true-dual pipes. At the back of those manifolds, a traditional points distributor sequences fire between a fresh coil and correct Radio GM plug wires. Cooling is provided by a beefy radiator, which sends water past correct tower clamps via reproduction GM hoses. Charge comes courtesy of a reproduction Delco yellow cap battery, which jolts a tagged Delco-Remy generator. And the car's Satin Black engine bay, which is as clean as the paint on its body, serves as an ideal backdrop for the mill's many different textures.

DRIVETRAIN

Park this Chevy on a lift and you'll find a solid undercarriage that, based on appearance, has never seen a drop of water. Fresh, Oxide Red floors ride on a sturdy X-frame that, during the car's extensive restoration, was carefully sandblasted and thoroughly powdercoated. A correct Borg Warner 4-speed spins a familiar GM rear end that literally sails the engine through its broad power band. Under that capable drivetrain, a bead-blasted and fully rebuilt suspension has been equipped with optional power steering and power drum brakes. At the center of the floors, an aluminized, true-dual exhaust system utilizes throaty turbo mufflers to weave an aggressive, full-throttle rumble into a subdued and classy idle. And, at the corners of the suspension, 8.00-14 BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls frame restored, original wheel covers.

INTERIOR

Decked in correct red and white vinyl, this Impala's stunning interior has been restored to factory-fresh condition in virtually every way. The wide bench seats feel newer than the car's 54 years would suggest, and present just as well now as the day they rolled out of the upholstery shop. At the base of those seats, like-new carpet is and tight and fade-free. At the sides of that carpet, 2-tone door panels hang straight stainless trim around traditional handles and modernist armrests. At the front of those panels, a restored dash, which is chock full of rebuilt gauges, carries a Straight Line Tuning pushbutton radio. In front of the driver, a color-keyed steering wheel laps a classic Impala centerpiece. And behind the passengers, a fully restored trunk seals a correct mat, correct jack and full-size spare tire below a fresh decklid decal.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

A vintage Owner's Guide
A stack of restoration receipts
A few restoration photos
The car's Eckler's Chevy Classics Club judging sheets
The car's Eckler's Chevy Classics Club Platinum Certificate
The car's AACA Senior National First Prize grille plaque
A large metal showboard
The car's original speedometer and odometer

When you add up all the ingredients that went in to building this killer Impala, it becomes obvious that someone really cherished the car. There are no shortcuts, no marginal parts and nothing that looks out of place on what is uniformly a high-quality piece. Of course, quality never goes out of style. And when you drive this drop-top, you can literally watch the crowds form!