The Impala’s signature three taillights would be a staple on the model until 1966.

In 1961, Chevrolet may have been participating in the racing scene, but the company’s main source of profits did not come directly from selling high-performance vehicles. The lion’s share of Chevrolet’s income can be attributed to family Patriarchs, who were buying reliable transportation for their family. Many times, that purchase involved a B-body car.

1961 Chevrolet Impala SS

Chevrolet’s three B-body models: Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala, were all built on the same platform, and provided the buying clientele with a total of 20 models to choose from. Most models were available in a two- and four-door hardtops or sedans, as well as both six- and nine-passenger station wagons.

This year, the big fins disappeared, and many feel that made the body lines much smoother. One feature that did not change was the traditional cluster of three round tail lights on the Impala. The Bel Air and the Biscayne only had two taillights on each side. The Impala and Bel Air two-door sport coupes each featured new roofline styling, which would become known as the bubbletop. This year was also the only year for an Impala two-door sedan model. Very few were produced, and it is a very-rare collectible today.

The two-barrel equipped 283 cubic-inch V8 engine delivered 170 horsepower.

In February 1961, a Chevrolet corporate memo announced the introduction of RPO-240 — the Impala Super Sport Equipment Package. The SS equipment package was available on all Chevrolet models, except for the Nomad Wagon, but it appeared mainly on two-door hardtops and convertibles.

The 250 horsepower 348 cubic-inch engine.

The upgrade was a bargain, at just $53.80. The SS option was offered on any Impala, and included Super Sport trim inside and out, chassis reinforcements, stronger springs and shocks, power brakes, spinner-type wheel covers, and one of Chevy’s earliest uses of narrow-band whitewall tires. Finally, the dashboard made use of a Corvette-type passenger grab bar, and mounted to the steering column was a 7,000-rpm tachometer.

Most Impalas left the dealer’s lot, equipped with either the 135 horsepower 235 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine, or the two or four-barrel equipped 283 cubic-inch V8 engine with 170 or 230 horsepower respectively. Once again, the 348 cubic-inch engine was the big engine of choice when the 1961 Impala was released. Available in the same configurations as in 1960, the 348 cubic-inch engine delivered 250 horsepower (9.5:1 compression ratio and single four-barrel carburetor), 280 horsepower (9.5:1 CR with Tri-Power), 305 horsepower (11.0:1 CR and single four barrel), 340 horsepower (11.25:1 CR with single four barrel), and 350 horsepower (11.25:1 CR with Tri Power). Shortly after the model-year release however, something more could be had.

The big news for 1961 was the February introduction of the Super Sport model, and with it came the new 409 cubic-inch engine. This new engine combined a cylinder bore increase from the 348’s 4.125 inches to 4.3125 inches. The stroke was also increased from 3.25 inches to 3.50 inches. Visually, the dipstick location can help differentiate a 348ci engine from a 409ci engine. The 409ci engine had the dipstick on the passenger’s side, and 348ci engine had it on the driver’s side. This isn’t a fool proof though, as the oil pans are interchangeable. At 360 horsepower, the 409 came with an 11.25:1 compression ratio, and a single four-barrel carburetor.