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You must sometimes look at the finer details to appreciate the thinking involved in a project build. Take this 1961 Chevrolet Impala as a perfect example. The seller is well on the path to completing what appears to be a two-door sedan build, but the fact it started life as a four-door makes the work impressive. It is a similar story under the hood, with its period-correct small-block V8 featuring a modern twist. The finish line is in sight for this build, requiring a new owner to see it through to completion. The Impala is listed here on eBay in Festus, Missouri. Bidding sits below the reserve at $9,500.
Chevrolet introduced its Third Generation Impala in 1961, with the new model featuring significant styling changes that made it appear more square and modern than its predecessor. This car started life as a four-door, with the seller performing a two-door conversion during their build. This is not the first example of this process I have seen, but it rates as the best. The finish level looks high, suggesting the work was performed to a high standard. It is always worth performing a meticulous inspection in such cases because we are discussing a process that involves tampering with a car’s structural integrity. The seller has a YouTube channel with a comprehensive collection of videos tracking this build. If any readers are serious about pursuing this classic further, wading through them could be worthwhile to gain insight into the conversion quality. Looking good is only part of the equation because substandard work could be dangerous if things go wrong. I’m not suggesting that’s the case here, but safety must be a priority. With the panels straight, the seller applied a sparkling coat of Arbor Green enamel that shows no signs of flaws or defects. Rust isn’t an issue, and the glass is spotless. The chrome is acceptable for a driver-grade build, and the wider wheels with dog dish hubcaps add a touch of subtle muscle.
This Impala’s drivetrain combination includes a 283ci V8, a three-speed manual transmission, and power steering. There is nothing out of the ordinary, with this combination placing 170hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal when the Impala was shiny and new. Performance would have been adequate but hardly startling. However, the story may be significantly different when examining the finer details. The engine exhales through a set of headers and a dual Flowmaster exhaust, and improved breathing will always unleash additional power. However, hiding under that unassuming air cleaner is an updated intake and a throttle-body fuel injection system. That should help this motor’s cause further, but it is unclear whether there are also internal upgrades. Further changes include lowered front spindles, front disc brakes, Chrysler screw-in ball joints, and a Borg Warner quick-ratio power steering box. The seller says this beauty runs and drives, and it seems it is another aspect of this build that only requires minor tinkering to produce excellent results.
The “needs finishing” theme continues when we focus on this Impala’s interior. The poor quality of the single interior shot makes it challenging to assess its overall condition, but the carpet is new, and the seat and door trims appear free from wear and tear. I can’t spot any issues with the dash and pad, and there are no signs of aftermarket additions. The seller states that most components required to install an under-dash air conditioning system are included, which may be the new owner’s only major task.
The visual indications are that the work was performed to a high standard, but only an in-person inspection will confirm that. It appears to need little for the project to reach its conclusion, which might be why it has received ten bids. I would typically expect that total to be higher, but it might be that some people feel unsure about the concept or execution of this conversion. Taking the time to plow through the YouTube videos might be worthwhile because it could mean the difference between pursuing this Impala further or leaving it for another enthusiast to finish. That type of research costs nothing, and it will be interesting to see if any readers are swayed to the point of submitting a bid. So, over to you.
