1961 Chevrolet Impala
source: Wikimedia
The Chevy Impala was something of a personal luxury car, a first in the American carmakers’ industry. It boasted performance, but its focus was on accouterments and creature comforts. That changed in 1961, though, with the redesign and introduction of the third generation. Originally a landboat and a measure of excess, the new Impala of the 60’s was (relatively) compact, sporty, and fast standing still.
Restyled on the GM B platform, the new body was slimmer yet boxier than the previous iterations of the Impala. A “bubbleback” roofline, made popular on the Corvette, was present. A 2-door pillared sedan was made available, though it was rarely ordered. What’s most important for the Impala’s muscle car pedigree, though, is its single-year introduction of the Super Sport.
Yes, that Super Sport. The Super Sport, Chevy’s most iconic line of performance, a line that would span across nearly every single one of its V8-equipped vehicles – truck, sedan, and coupes alike. Not only did the Impala set the standard for comfort and value in America, it now introduced a standard of performance that would never be more recognizable in any other brand.
source: Wikimedia
The 1961 Impala also introduced the 409 engine, and it’s at this point that many agree the first true American muscle car came to be. It was marketed as a “highly personalized version” of the Impala, costing nearly $5,400. The Impala did not sacrifice its luxury feel in favor of power. Rather, it exuded it: Chrome wheel covers, heavy-duty suspension, metallic brake lines, a padded instrument panel, a Sun 7,000-RPM tachometer, and chrome for miles accompanied the SS. As the Beach Boys famously sang, “Nothing can catch her, nothing can touch my 409 … Giddy up, giddy up 409.”
The 409-equipped SS made just over 360 horses and could hit null to 60 in 7 seconds, flat – impressive even by today’s standards, and lightning fast for 1961. Only 453 Impala Super Sports were made in 1961, making this batwing-equipped coupe highly collectible. If not for its rarity, the ’61 Impala is stunning just by its looks. Extreme styling is found throughout its body, from the quad, chrome-bezeled headlights to the triple-grouped tail lights, also bezeled in chrome. Elegant swoops of chrome trim ride the car from the front quarter panels, wrapping around to the center of the decklid panel. Each cab pillar is also perfectly curved, matching beautifully sculpted glass that encloses the cab.
Yes, the 1961 Impala is perhaps the most visually stunning muscle car on this list, and it easily earns a top spot by way of its introducing the Super Sports badge, all other considerations notwithstanding.
