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1961 Chevrolet Impala SS

Indiana

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Vehicle Details

Make

Chevrolet

Model

Impala SS

Year

1961

VIN

TLW1019CL

Body Type

Hardtop

Transmission

Manual

Description

1961 Chevrolet Impala SS Bubble Top – Big Block Beauty Classic Bubble Top Muscle This stunning 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS Bubble Top is a beautiful restored example with serious performance upgrades. The iconic Bubble Top styling combined with a powerful big block makes it a true standout. Powered by a built big block engine dressed in billet, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission for an engaging driving experience.

Key Features: Aluminum radiator Disc brakes Billet wheels Beautifully restored condition throughout A head-turning classic Impala SS that’s ready to show or drive. Body Style: Hardtop
Doors: 2

Chevrolet Impala SS Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Mike Sullivan

Muscle Cars

1961–1969

~2 min read

Updated Apr 2026

The Chevrolet Impala SS brought Super Sport performance to the full-size car — combining the appeal of a premium Chevrolet with available 409ci, 427ci, and 454ci engines that made the big car go like few others in the muscle car era.

This guide covers

✓ 8-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 4 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full Impala SS Buyer's Guide

Chevrolet Impala Market Overview

Based on 169 Chevrolet Impala listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

169

Listed Now

$45,623

Avg. Asking Price

1958–1996

Year Range

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 60%

Manual 24% ◄

Condition Distribution

Excellent 14%

Good 12%

Fair 4%

Poor 1%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 169 listings →

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Chevrolet Impala SS Buyer's Guide

Mike Sullivan here, and the Impala SS occupies a unique space in the performance car world. Most muscle cars are mid-size or pony cars — the Impala SS was the full-size alternative for buyers who needed room for a family but didn't want to give up performance. It's a different kind of muscle car, and it produced some genuinely great machines.

The Impala SS name covered the 1961–1969 model years, and each period has its character. The early cars with the legendary 409ci engine are culturally immortal — the Beach Boys made sure of that. The mid-decade cars with the 396 and 427 are capable performers. The 1969 cars are the most refined and the last of the classic Impala SS era before the nameplate went into hibernation until the 1990s.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Trim Tag SS Code — Verify the Super Sport option code on the trim tag — required to authenticate as a factory SS.

✓

409 Engine Numbers — On W-engine 409 cars, verify engine block casting numbers against documented 409 W-engine references.

✓

Cowl Rust — Inspect cowl area at windshield base — structural rust here is expensive to repair.

✓

Rear Quarter Panels — Probe lower rear quarters and trunk floor — these rust consistently on northern-state B-body cars.

✓

SS Interior — Verify bucket seats, center console, and specific SS gauges are correct for the year and original.

✓

Broadcast Sheet — Check under the carpet for the broadcast sheet — confirms factory build options.

✓

Rocker Panels (1968–1969) — Check lower rockers on late cars — water intrusion from the lower edge seal causes hidden rust.

✓

Muncie 4-Speed — Test all gears on 4-speed cars — synchronizer wear is common and expensive to rebuild correctly.

Common Issues

Misrepresented non-SS Impalas with added SS badging — trim tag verification is essential. Cowl area rust from windshield seal failure. Lower rear quarter and trunk floor rust. W-engine 409 availability for restoration parts — less common than the FE or big-block Chevy parts. Worn Muncie four-speed synchronizers on SS 4-speed cars. Incorrect or replaced bucket seats and center consoles on "restored" examples.

What to Look For

Verify the SS designation via the trim tag — the Super Sport code must be present to authenticate an SS. On 409-equipped cars, verify engine codes against the W-engine reference list. Check the cowl area, lower rear quarter panels, and trunk floor for rust — the full-size B-body platform rusts in these specific locations. On 1968–1969 cars, inspect the lower rocker area. Verify all SS-specific interior components (bucket seats, console, specific gauges) are present and correct for the year.

Price Guide

1961–1964 SS 409 (documented): $35,000–$75,000. 1961 bubble-top SS with 409: $50,000–$100,000+. 1965–1967 SS 396: $22,000–$45,000. 1967–1969 SS 427 (documented): $40,000–$85,000. 1967–1969 SS 427 L72 (425hp, documented): $60,000–$120,000. Base Impalas misrepresented as SS: avoid without documentation.

Did You Know?

The Beach Boys' 1962 hit "409" was written after Brian Wilson's friend Dave Marks bought a 1962 Chevrolet with the 409ci engine. The song was recorded quickly to cash in on the hot rod craze and reached #1 on the Billboard charts, making the Impala SS the only car to have a Number One hit written specifically about its engine. The 1961 Impala "bubble top" (named for its low, curved rear roofline) is widely considered one of the most elegant full-size American car designs ever produced.

Also Consider

Similar classic cars shoppers also browse:

Ford Galaxie (88) Plymouth Fury (29) Pontiac Catalina (26) Buick LeSabre (15) Pontiac Bonneville (14)

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1961 Chevrolet Impala SS

Indiana

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