VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1961-1964 1961 bel air sport coupe (bubbletop)

Hi everyone,

I own a 1961 bel air sport coupe (bubbletop). It is originally 2 tone (sateen silver and ermine white). My questions is are most bel air sport coupes 2 toned or a single color? Also is the sateen silver a "rare" color because I can't find any pictures of that color.

Thanks
HR

There was no break down of 1961 BelAir Sport Coupe models. All I can say is that it was probably less than 12,000 to 15,000. (almost 453,000 of Spt Coupes made with Bel Air and Impala combined.)
Silver and white was not a popular combination on any of the 1961 models. Fr some reason it sseems like I have seen a lot of B.A. coupes in that combination though.
Generally speaking most sport coupes had the two tone option.

BA sport coupes are just rare. Unlike Gene I had never seen a silver one or even enough of them to say what was the 'common' color of the few that I had seen in yards, I did not see any two tones or silver, Fawn Beige on three of them, two were red, and one was that medium blue/green color.
They are rare, the four door htps are even rarer
John

Hey High Roller,

I'm meeting a gal for coffee tomorrow (Thrs) at 930am at Monti's. Across the street from The Chevy Store. 87th and SE Stark. Why don't you show up at 1030am and we'll go across the street to The Chevy Store and check things out with Kibby.

When I was there today, among other stuff I saw was a Sixty-TWO 409/409 Bubble Top

Let me know here if you can make it; or just show up. And, obviously, bring your '61...

Bill.

Hey 42 Bill,

Sorry I didn't see this posting in time to meet you.

Would love to show you the 61 but I am in the middle of doing a frame off restoration on it. Hopefully by August she will be all dialed in. She is currently red, but I am going to take her back to the orginal 2 tone colors of sateen silver and ermine white.

Do you have any classics or muscle?

Talk to you soon.

Adam

John,

How are the 4 door hardtops more rare than a sport coupe??

Total production of '61 Belair Sport Coupes was:
1537 (6cyl): 8671
1637 (V8): 9686

There were 310,000 Chevy bel airs made in 1961.

Probably because there were 452,251 sport coupes made and only 177,969 sport sedans.
Where did you find themodel break-down for the Bel Air coupes?

I just think that they did not survive. I don't know the prodution numbers, so I will not speculate, I have been into these cars when they were considered used by most and I would always travel to Junk Yards just taking in what I could and I know I never saw one in a yard. I only had seen one in my life at an AACA meet in Binghamton, that same car was featured in Cars in Parts around the same time I had seen it, and it was fawn

http://www.348-409.com/1961factpage.html is one of the sources. Also another forum has a member who has collected bel air information for 25 years and it putting together a bel air book. I won't post the other forum out of respect for this one.

And I misspoke earlier. There were 330,000 bel air's in 1961


Hmmmm the sport sedan may be more rare...I will have to look into it more.

Adam,

No problem missing my note about coffee. I didn't get it posted til evening time.

I have 3 'classics,' no muscle. Are you right in Portland?? Do you go to Beaches @ PIR on Wed's??

Bill.

Bill,

What classics do you have? PM me if you don't want to post here.

Yes, I am right in Portland. Live near the U of P.

Haven't been to beaches yet....on wed night anyway. Do you go every week? I am going to start going as soon as this rain stops!

Adam

Adam,

Beaches is great. I go pretty much every Wed. Disappointed when first one of the season was rained out this last Wed. We're having way too much rain lately. We've already passed average rainfall for the entire month of June.

The 3 'classic' are a 37 4 dr sedan; a 51 "tin woody" Deluxe wagon and a 54 Bel Air hardtop.

Take care. Maybe see you next Wed. So far weather forecast looks OK....

Bill.

Bill,

Looks like we have rain again wed. If it goes away than I will be there. How will we find each other?

Here a few pics of my 61 before I did anything to her.

Adam,

It looks like you're starting with a good '61. They're definitely neat cars.
Have you seen the '62 409/409 at The Chevy Store?? $60 big ones; but no
work. Always trade-offs in everything.

Wed weather forecast is not good. 59* and rain. UGH. If we ever get
these Beaches cruises off the ground, I'll be the guy in the 51 wagon.
It's Viper Red with "wood" painted on the exterior... a "tin" woodie. HA!
I usually get there pretty early, so most likely in the "front" row.

What'll you be in?? Finters crossed for this wek; but doesn't look good.....

Bill,

Yeah she isn't to bad. Can't wait till she is all done!

I have seen pictures but have not looked at it in person. Have been meaning to go there!


Yes, hopefully wed night is like tonight! I won't be in anything special. I am a pretty "young" guy so only 1 classic for me.

Adam,

Due to the weather forecast, I don't hold much hope for tomorrow,
Wed, @ PIR. Whether it's this Wed or next, look for the '51 red
wagon described above.
Hope to see you....

Bill.

Bill,

Rained out again :(

Hopefully next week. Look forward to meeting you.

Adam,

Too dang much rain! Looks good for the wkend. Maybe go to the Rose Cup
Races cruise-in on Sunday.

Looks like good weather for next Wed, so we'll be able to meet up then.
Take care....

Bill.