VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1961-1964 How to identify a true 1961 SS

Hi everyone,

I am looking at a car and need some help please.

How do you easily tell if a 1961 impala is a true SS? It has a P case POSI and a B-W T-10 4 speed in it. Also has power steering and power brakes Now here is the tricky part?! No engine in it and no emblems on it. I can't see the dash well enough in the pictures to see if it has grab bar and tach is missing or wasen't there to begin with....
Correct me if I am wrong:

1961 impala SS

Has to have 348 or 409.
Has to have big block emblems.
Has to have sun tach on column.
Has to have "Grab bar" on dash.
Has to have 4 speed tranny.
Has to have POSI rearend.

I don't belive the cowl tag will decode that its an SS or not??

Any help would be apprecaited!

Thanks

HR




This is the 1 Interior picture I have:

At this stage of life, you cannot tell if the vehicle was a REAL '61 SS from the factory.

You are correct on several accounts:

348 or 409 with proper codes
It could be a Powerglide (305hp only) or the correct 4-spd. (with proper codes)
If a 4 spd - how is the hole cut in the floorpan?
Posi rear with the correct codes
Metallic brakes
Unique front brake drums
HD suspension
Tach and associated hardware
Grab bar and braces.

I have only seen 2 real SS cars in my life - and both had the proper documentation to prove their history.

Emblems on the outside are easily changed and many dealers added the SS emblems to "sell a car".

Of course the VIN and Cowl Tag info is extremely important to prove a '61's pedigree.

I don't remember the 409 being installed in 1961s.
The only thing I saw in them was 348s.

1961 was the first year of the 409 :)

My take on 61 SS's is there's (likely) MORE of them NOW than there was
in 1961. Along the same lines as 340 horse 327 62 Corvettes.

Can you spell f-a-k-e! Man-oh-man, let the buyer beware!

Just my two cents....

this means mandatory (standard) SS options changed between 61 and 62