This Chevrolet Impala got away, but there are more like it here.

540-Powered 1961 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe 4-Speed

Sold for $98,000 on 6/1/22

540-Powered 1961 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe 4-Speed

This 1961 Chevrolet Impala “bubble top” sport coupe was refurbished and modified during prior ownership in the mid-2000s, and work reportedly included refinishing the frame, repainting the bodywork in black, reupholstering the interior, and installing a 540ci V8 paired to a Borg-Warner T10 four-speed manual transmission. Additional modifications include an Edelbrock intake manifold, a Quick Fuel Technology carburetor, Kooks tubular headers, an aluminum radiator, power-assisted hydraulic four-wheel disc brakes, coilover suspension components, and staggered-width wheels. The car was produced at GM’s Janesville, Wisconsin, facility and spent time in New York, where it was acquired by the seller in 2019. This modified Impala is now offered with the removed Chevrolet hood and 348ci V8 engine as well as a transferable New York State registration in the seller’s name.

The third-generation Impala was available in a variety of body styles, including a two-door pillarless “bubble top” coupe that was only available for the 1961 model year. The body on this example was refinished in its current black by Island Musclecar & Restoration of Amityville, New York, during the refurbishment according to the seller. Features include a cowl-induction hood with hood pins, chrome hardware, and “Imapala SS” badging on the rear panels. A ceramic coating was applied to the body in 2020 according to the seller, and the finish is shown up close in the photo gallery below.

The car rides on 15″ American Racing Torq-Thrust wheels fitted with 225/75 redline whitewall tires up front and 15″ Weld Racing wheels wearing 275/60 Mickey Thompson tires out back. Power-assisted Wilwood disc brakes are fitted at all four corners, and the Bernie Schacker-updated multi-link suspension system features Aldan American double-adjustable coilovers. The car is equipped with power steering.

Black leather upholstery with red piping covers the dual bench seats, which are accompanied by matching wool carpets and bright trim. Further additions include a leather headliner, a Hurst shifter, and a fire extinguisher mounted in the front passenger footwell.

The engine-turned instrument panel houses AutoMeter gauges including a 160-mph speedometer and a 10k-rpm tachometer. The digital odometer currently shows approximately 1k miles, while total mileage is unknown.

The trunk was re-trimmed to match the interior upholstery and features a battery disconnect switch.

The 540ci V8 was built and installed by Gary Sharkey of The Performance Engine Shop in West Babylon, New York, and is mounted by an aluminum mounting plate. Features include a Quick Fuel Technology carburetor fitted atop an Edelbrock intake manifold, and additional equipment includes a custom fuel tank, an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, polished valve covers, replacement vehicle wiring, and a custom-fabricated aluminum firewall panel. The exhaust system features Kooks headers linked to side-exiting dual pipes equipped with Vortex mufflers. Dynamometer test results from a May 2008 session are provided in the gallery below. Per the seller, the car was last serviced in August 2020 with an oil change and replacement of the spark plugs.

The removed 348ci engine features a Holley carburetor and will accompany the car along with the removed hood.

Power is routed to the rear wheels via a cast iron Borg-Warner T10 four-speed manual transmission fitted with nickel gears, a Hayes clutch and flywheel, a Lakewood scatter shield, and a 4130 seamless chromoly driveshaft connected to a 9″ Chassiworks FAB9 rear end with 4.10:1 gears and Moser Engineering axles. Additional photos of the underside are presented in the gallery below.

Photo Gallery

Auction Result

Winning Bid	USD $98,000 by willyz33
Auction Ended	June 1, 2022 at 11:44AM PT
Bids	39

14,897 views

631 watchers

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