The 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 – Survivor
This car is all original. It has not been changed since it rolled off of the showroom floor in the fall of 1961. It is complete with the 409 engine, 4-speed transmission, and the Super Sport package. This survivor is one of 142 ever built. This car comes with both the Muncie and Borg and Warner 4 Speed transmission.
This car in magazines: https://wonderclub.com/magazines/AMERICANRODDERmagAMERICANRODDER199310.htm#
More pictures: http://www.mjpropix.com/Cars/Impala-Super-Sport/
Chevrolet brought real power to the people during 1961, and did so with style. The midyear introduction of the Super Sport option package showcased another new arrival, the 409-CUIN V8.
The SS kit was offered on any Impala. It included Super Sport trim inside and out, chassis reinforcements, stronger springs and shocks, power brakes with sintered metallic linings, spinner type wheel covers, and of Chevy’s earliest uses of narrow band whitewall tires. The dashboard gained a Corvette type grab bar, and the steering column got a 7000 RPM Tachometer.
Only Chevy’s toughest V8’s were offered with the SS package. It was available with 348-CUIN with four-barrel or tri power. The other choice was the 409. Essentially a larger displacement 348, its upgrades include forged aluminum pistons, a wilder camshaft and 11.25:1 compression. A single four-barrel mated to the aluminum manifold. It made 360 bhp. It also made history.
Chevy built 491,000 Impala for ’61. Only 453 had the SS package and of those, just 142 got the 409. But word spread quickly. Here was a mainstream Chevy V8 with 409 lb-ft of torque and the ability to turn mid 15 second quarter-miles with the standard 3.36:1 rear axle and mandatory four-speed manual transmission.
Specifications
Wheelbase, inches: 119.0
Weight, lbs.: 3,700
Number built: 142
Base price (1961): $2,900
Standard Engine
Type: ohv V-8
Displacement, cid: 409
Fuel system: 1 x 4bbl.
Compression ratio: 11.25:1
Horsepower @ rpm: 360 @ 5800
Torque @ rpm: 409 @ 3600
Representative Performance
0-60 mph, sec: 7.8
1/4 mile, sec. @ mph: 15.8 @ 94.1
HIGHLIGHTS
