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Black 1961 Convertib

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Hello,! 7-8-24

I am new to the forum. I had a brand new 61 Impala convertible in July 1961. 348. 3-speed. Black, on Red. White top. In 64, I installed a T-10 4-speed. Installed the SS counsel, grab bar ,and the three outside trim SS's. (bought through the Chevrolet parts department). Rebuilt engine too. Bored 30 over. H.P Pistons. bigger heads. exhaust manifolds, the 409 intake and AFB. Early 409 cam. Essentially when completed, it was a 340 H.P. + set up. Installed a 411 Posi traction too. In those days, the total rebuild/upgrade was under a $1,000.00. Still, in 1964, a lot of money. Kept the car till 1967. Sold the car for $950.00. Bought a new 1967 RS/SS 325 hp 396. car.

Should have kept them both. I am looking for a black 61 convertible to purchase. Any help is appreciated.

Black 1961 Convertible
 
blkblk63ss

blkblk63ss

Well Seasoned Member
Supporting Member 5
Black 1961 Convertib said:
Hello,! 7-8-24

I am new to the forum. I had a brand new 61 Impala convertible in July 1961. 348. 3-speed. Black, on Red. White top. In 64, I installed a T-10 4-speed. Installed the SS counsel, grab bar ,and the three outside trim SS's. (bought through the Chevrolet parts department). Rebuilt engine too. Bored 30 over. H.P Pistons. bigger heads. exhaust manifolds, the 409 intake and AFB. Early 409 cam. Essentially when completed, it was a 340 H.P. + set up. Installed a 411 Posi traction too. In those days, the total rebuild/upgrade was under a $1,000.00. Still, in 1964, a lot of money. Kept the car till 1967. Sold the car for $950.00. Bought a new 1967 RS/SS 325 hp 396. car.

Should have kept them both. I am looking for a black 61 convertible to purchase. Any help is appreciated.

Black 1961 Convertible
Click to expand...
Welcome to the site. Yes, famous last words among many of us , "should have kept them,".
 
B

Black 1961 Convertib

Member
Sadly, TRUE! 7-8-24
I am Curious! The 305 HP 348: I do not know of, or heard of anyone ever having a 1961 305 HP 348. Back in the day, 1961-1965, I had the Chevrolet Repair cataloged that in those days was published by Helm? That "book" also listed the 305 HP for 1961. My basic understandings of the 305 was a 250HP engine, with the following changes:
1. Bigger heads
2. Big exhaust manifolds.
3. Different intake.
4. AFB Carb??? (I thought the AFB came out in 1962?)

I wonder if it was just a carry over" in the literature, Parts, book, repair books from earlier years?? Anyone out there ever seen a real 305 HP 348 from 1961?

Bill, (Black 1961 Convertible)
 
1964SuperStocker

1964SuperStocker

Well Known Member
Supporting Member 3
There is a 61 Convertible that just went up for sale (project) that looks like most body work is done. I think it was $28K. Facebook market place. I just sold a rusty 61 Conv with no title, just vintage and original drive train for $12K. The only other car I can think of which would be more expensive for an entry level car to start with would be a 1959 Impala Conv. Good luck in your search and welcome aboard.
 
oldskydog

oldskydog

Well Seasoned Member
Supporting Member 10
Black 1961 Convertib said:
Sadly, TRUE! 7-8-24
I am Curious! The 305 HP 348: I do not know of, or heard of anyone ever having a 1961 305 HP 348. Back in the day, 1961-1965, I had the Chevrolet Repair cataloged that in those days was published by Helm? That "book" also listed the 305 HP for 1961. My basic understandings of the 305 was a 250HP engine, with the following changes:
1. Bigger heads
2. Big exhaust manifolds.
3. Different intake.
4. AFB Carb??? (I thought the AFB came out in 1962?)

I wonder if it was just a carry over" in the literature, Parts, book, repair books from earlier years?? Anyone out there ever seen a real 305 HP 348 from 1961?

Bill, (Black 1961 Convertible)
Click to expand...
There were two different versions of the 305 hp engine in 61. The first version had solid lifter cam, AFB, and HD powerglide trans. It was replaced later in production by one that had a 250 hp short block with 1147 heads, AFB and standard trans or HD powerglide.
 
Last edited:
B

Black 1961 Convertib

Member
Hello OldSkyDog! 7-8-24

I am intrigued with this motor. I have never seen nor heard of anyone having one. Fron what yopu haev said. Both were basically 250 hp, low compression pistons. However, you mention a solid lifter version. What cam would have gone in that basically 250 hp block? The 340/350 cam?

I get the bigger heads, exhaust manifolds, different intake and carb to get from 250 to 305. BUT, the you add the solidlifetr cam. And on tyopof that, only with a power glide. Something seems amiss here. Assuming these 305 engines were assembled in Flint. do we have an RPO number for those two engines???

Bill
 
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Don Jacks

Well Seasoned Member
Supporting Member 3
The 305 hp engine first appeared in 58.It featured,afb carb,soildlifter cam,11 1/4 compression,better intake and bigger exhaodelut mmaniFolds.ThE AFB first came out in 1957 by the way.Often called ''Police Intercepter''engine ,remained this way thru the 60 model year.In 61,as Old sky dog said was thee base engine for the 61 Impala SS option.
 
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oldskydog

oldskydog

Well Seasoned Member
Supporting Member 10
Actually, the 305 hp 348 was introduced on 3-23-1959 at the same time the revision to the solid lifter engines that increased the 300 hp version to 320 hp and the 315 hp was revised to 335 hp.

1959-Advanced-Information-13.jpg

59 305 ho 348.jpg
61 348 engine line up:61 348 engines.jpg
 
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