In many ways, the 1961 Chevy was a bridge car between the 1950s and 1960s.
The late 1950s was the height of the fin car era and subsequently became associated with the rear tailfin fad.
1960 Chevy models held onto their unique 1950s horizontal tailfin style for one more year before they were replaced by the 1961 Chevy and its completely new body design.
Jim Sutherland
The 1961 Chevy had the last vestiges of the famous tailfin design, although it was reduced to a very subtle contour on the rear deck of the car. The result was the ’61 Chevy separated from its recent predecessors (the 1959 and ’60 Chevys) in overall design but had enough of their lineage to ensure people recognized the car as a newer version of the older Chevy models.
However, the 1961 Chevy was also an entirely new model that embraced the new decade in terms of a more modern style during an era when new-look car models were built every year to make the previous models seem outdated to potential customers.
As a result, the 1961 Chevy was built to put its predecessors in its rear-view mirror in terms of an overall shift in style. Mission accomplished in our opinion here at MyStarCollectorCar because the ’61 Chevy looks fast and furious at a standstill, particularly in its 2-door hardtop Impala version, the one known as a “bubbletop” because of its large and unusual rear window.
A 1961 Chevy Impala 2-door hardtop is a solid platform for a resto mod because of its sleek retro design, as evidenced by Doug Mann and his family’s bright red ‘61 Impala that has undergone a major upgrade.
Doug’s father-in-law purchased the car in 2013 and the Impala became the first car in his collection of very cool automobiles. Eventually his father-in-law gave the ’61 Impala to Doug so it could become a family heirloom in the Mann clan.
As mentioned, the Impala has undergone a serious resto mod process and now sports a Corvette LS engine coupled to a beefy 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission. The result is a spectacular blend of modern performance combined with a very cool retro Impala design from the early 1960s.
The Impala can easily keep up with today’s traffic because of its modern powertrain and is comfortable at 70-80 mph (roughly 112-130 km/h) on the highway. “It rides nice”, according to Doug.
The dual electric fans on the engine help keep things cool under the hood of the ’61 Impala resto mod. Additionally, the car now has power front disc/rear drum brakes to help it slow down in a hurry when the situation warrants it, along with a more responsive steering system to handle today’s roadways.
Doug’s ’61 Chevy still has its original seats, although they have been reupholstered and still look like they are brand-new in the car.
MyStarCollectorCar readers will also notice the retro-style mag wheels on the ’61 Impala, a perfect fit with the sporty style of the car.
The Manns have no plans to sell the 1961 Impala because “it’s still a thrill”, in Doug’s words. It’s a sentiment shared by his entire family.
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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