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E-Davila-Photography — 1960 Chevy Impala SS
Published: 2008-12-23 16:19:42 +0000 UTC; Views: 6363; Favourites: 35; Downloads: 0
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Classic Auto GatheringElizabethton, TN
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Comments: 11
Really nice, but a FYI, the SS series didn't come out until 1961, the year the 409 was released!
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The Impala SS concept was introduced for the first time in 1958.
The engine on this one, is a 348 V8 (335 Hp). The 1961 Impala SS
marked the beginning of the new era in muscle car with the introduction
of the 409 engine. The Chevy Impala replaced the Chevy Bel Air.
The 1958 was called the Chevy Bel Air Impala. In 1959 it became the
Chevy Impala all by itself. Thanks for the kind comments.
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1958-1961 the 348 option was available, however the SS option was not released until 1961 and only a mere 142 were built and is considered one of the founding cars of what was to become the muscle car wars (myself I prefer 61 swiss-chese framed Catalina's) Read more below. We just sold out '60 convertible awhile back, now on to our Wildcat.
[link]
1961 would be the year that the first true muscle car was introduced, the Chevrolet Impala SS. This would also be the year that Chevrolet introduced its 409 cubic inch V8, the engine that would launch the Big Three auto manufacturers into the horsepower race that would last well into the 1970s. The 409 was actually a response to Ford's new 390 cid engine, which was outperforming Chevy's on the dragstrip. Although it put out "only" 360 bhp compared to Ford's top 375 bhp, those extra 19 cid gave it respect on the street and immortalized in song ("She's really fine, my 409"). Chevrolet introduced the Super Sport (SS) option package, which was optional on the 348 and standard with the 409, which would define Chevrolet performance for many years to come. The Super Sport package, a bargin at just $53.80, consisted of special body and interior trim, power steering, power brakes with sintered metallic linings, full wheel covers with a three blade spinner, a passenger grab bar, a console for the floor shift, and a tachometer on the steering column. The 409 engine came only with the four-speed manual transmission and only one factory axle ratio. Lower axle ratios were available from the dealer and owners could see 1/4 mile times in the high 15s, which was pretty impressive in 1961. Unfortunately, the 409 already came with 11.25 compression and a four barrel carburetor, and due to its wedge shaped combustion chambers was not very easy to improve performance further. But no matter. Although only 142 Impala SS 409s were built in 1961 (and most went to good customers that would run them at the local dragstrips), the legend was born and the horsepower race was on.
Production: Impala SS: 453 Impala SS w/ 409 V8: 142
Engines: 348 (4 bbl) V8 305 bhp. 348 V8 340 bhp. 348 (3x2 bbl) V8 350 bhp. 409 V8 360 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 409 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.
Performance: 409/360: 0-60 in 7.8 sec. 1/4 mile in 15.8 sec. @ 94.1 mph.
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Awsome photo. My Dad moved the family from Michigan to California, driving across country in the 59' version of this car. That was in 1970. He got rid of it. How I wish I had it now.
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They were cool looking cars, with the wings on the back!
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Yeah. The 59' had the long cat-eye rear lights too. Used to creep me out a little when I was kid.
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