Hello all!
My name is Mike and I've been the caretaker for a 1961 Impala 2 door sedan for 6 or 7 years now. My grandfather bought it from the original owner (sold in SC), sold it to a buddy who was begging him for the car, bought it back right before I got it with the intention the my dad would buy it from him. Turned out I loved driving it so I bought it from my dad shortly after we got it home.
Known:
What I want to do:
I'm sure I'm missing some information. Below are the couple pics I have handy and a link to a youtube video of the car. I'm a father of 3 young children so the "want to do" items are mostly pretty far down the road, the priorities right now are keeping it safe and drivable, no major projects that will keep it off the road for years.
My name is Mike and I've been the caretaker for a 1961 Impala 2 door sedan for 6 or 7 years now. My grandfather bought it from the original owner (sold in SC), sold it to a buddy who was begging him for the car, bought it back right before I got it with the intention the my dad would buy it from him. Turned out I loved driving it so I bought it from my dad shortly after we got it home.
Known:
- It was originally a 283, column shift automatic.
- 2 door sedans are very rare and this is a one year body style for the Impala trim.
- The original color was Corona Cream.
- The previous owner put a 267 🤮 in it with a 3 speed column shift manual.
- Rebuild the rear drums
- Front disc conversion
- All new stainless steel hard lines and flex lines for the brakes
- Booster with dual reservoir master cylinder and rear pressure adjuster.
- Painted the engine bay using POR 15
- All new parking brake cables and lubricated the parking brake assembly
- Replaced the steering column upper bearing and everything related to the turn signal assembly
- Replaced the 267 with an older built mild 283.
- Replaced the stock wheels with hubcaps with aftermarket chrome rallies to clear the calipers.
- Replaced the fuel filler neck along with any rubber parts.
What I want to do:
- Replace all suspension and body rubber parts. I have some already.
- Replace/rebuild the steering system. It all works and isn't overly sloppy but just tighten everything up.
- A/C
- LED lighting
- Install a 348. I already have the engine but have to tear it down and rebuild it.
- Install a 4 speed Super T10 floor shift.
- Have the few minor rust spots fixed and the paint blended in. I actually like the color it is now, it's unique at car shows.
- Recondition/replace all of the chromed items.
- Air suspension to maintain the great ride and stock ride height and let it sit lower while parked.
I'm sure I'm missing some information. Below are the couple pics I have handy and a link to a youtube video of the car. I'm a father of 3 young children so the "want to do" items are mostly pretty far down the road, the priorities right now are keeping it safe and drivable, no major projects that will keep it off the road for years.