1961 Chevrolet Facts



"The car with 24 different ways of saying GO!"


Totally new body design for 1961. Cars were shortened from 210.8 to 209.3 for this year. Wheelbase remained at 119 inches. All powerplants of 1960 were kept again for this year with a new addition, the 360hp 409 which arrived later in the model year. (production began in January of '61) This accounts for it's low production number of only 142!

1961 was a very important year not only due to the 409 engine but also because of the new Supersport option (RPO 240) which was actually designed to showcase the 409. Introduced in the middle of 1961, only 453 factory built Supersports were ever made. There was however a Supersport trim option package available that could be used on regular Impalas to dress them up. Many dealers did this to help sell cars. (these are not real Supersports however) The Supersport option was available on the 1800 series Impala's and all body styles including 4 doors (excluding the Nomad wagon) however only 2 door hardtops and convertibles were ever known to have recieved it. The 348 or 409 engine was mandatory for all Supersports. More information on Supersports can be seen on our FAQ page.

All station wagons for 1961 were available in 6 or 9 passenger form. This year, a 2 door sedan was available on the Impala model however it would be dropped after this year making it the only year for this style.

Standard engines for 1961 were the 135hp 235 six cylinder or the 170hp 283 V-8. Optional engines included; 230hp 283, 250hp 283, 250hp 348, 280hp 348, 305hp 348, 315hp 348, 320hp 348, 335hp 348, 340hp 348, 350hp 348 and 360hp 409.


Some highlights for '61 include:

  • Optional 360hp 409
  • Optional Supersport package (available mid year)
  • 209.3 inches long with 119" wheelbase
  • 15 solid and 10 two tone exterior paint colors available
  • Parallel action wipers

    Misc. option pricing:

  • Optional 360hp 409 $484.00
  • Optional 305hp 348 (Turbo thrust) engine $209.85
  • Optional air conditioning $457.00
  • Supersport equipment $53.80
  • 4 speed transmission $188.30
  • Deluxe heater $74.25
  • Push button radio $62.45
  • 2 speed wipers $17.25
  • Power brakes $43.05
  • Power steering $75.35
  • Padded dash $18.30
  • Tinted windshield $21.55
  • Posi traction rear $43.05
  • H.D. rear springs $2.70
  • H.D. front springs $1.10
  • H.D. front/rear shocks $1.10
  • Tachometer $48.45
  • H.D. metallic brakes $37.70
  • 8.00-14-4 ply narrow whitewall tires $51.30



    Model #/Name Base Price Weight Production #'s Special notes
    1111 Biscayne 2 door sedan (6 cyl) $2,172 3,400    
    1121 Biscayne 2 door Utility sedan (6 cyl) $2,172 3,475   3 passenger
    1135 Brookwood 4 door wagon (6 cyl)     31,711 6 passenger
    1145 Brookwood 4 door wagon (6 cyl) $2,726 3,900 4,127 9 passenger
    1169 Biscayne 4 door sedan (6 cyl) $2,313 3,510    
    1211 Biscayne 2 door sedan (8 cyl) $2,282 3,395    
    1221 Biscayne 2 door Utility sedan (8 cyl) $2,282 3,470   3 passenger
    1235 Brookwood 4 door wagon (8 cyl)     12,359 6 passenger
    1245 Brookwood 4 door wagon (8 cyl) $2,836 3,895 3,531 9 passenger
    1269 Biscayne 4 door sedan (8 cyl) $2,423 3,505    
    1311 Biscayne Fleetmaster 2 door sedan (6 cyl) $2,227 3,495   Bought primarily by commercial customers-dual armrests, sunvisors and cigarette lighter were standard equipment
    1369 Biscayne Fleetmaster 4 door sedan (6 cyl) $2,281 3,580   Primarily bought for taxi cabs and commercial fleet-dual armrests, sunvisors and cigarette lighter were standard equipment
    1411 Biscayne Fleetmaster 2 door sedan (8 cyl) $2,337 3,415   Bought primarily by commercial customers-dual armrests, sunvisors and cigarette lighter were standard equipment
    1469 Biscayne Fleetmaster 4 door sedan (8 cyl) $2,391 3,500   Primarily bought for taxi cabs and commercial fleet-dual armrests, sunvisors and cigarette lighter were standard equipment
    1511 Belair 2 door sedan (6 cyl) $2,381 3,505    
    1535 Parkwood 4 door wagon (6 cyl) $2,459 3,950 23,779 6 passenger
    1537 Belair 2 door sport coupe (6 cyl) $2,459 3,485 8671  
    1539 Belair 4 door sport sedan (6 cyl) $2,551 3,620    
    1545 Parkwood 4 door wagon (6 cyl) $2,847 3,915 3,419 9 passenger
    1569 Belair 4 door sedan (6 cyl) $2,435 3,525    
    1611 Belair 2 door sedan (8 cyl) $2,491 3,435    
    1635 Belair 4 door wagon (8 cyl) $2,569 3,480 52,277 6 passenger
    1637 Belair 2 door sport coupe (8 cyl) $2,569 3,480 9686  
    1639 Belair 4 door sport sedan (8 cyl) $2,661 3,555    
    1645 Parkwood 4 door wagon (8 cyl) $2,957 3,910 12,211 9 passenger
    1669 Belair 4 door sedan (8 cyl) $2,545 3,520    
    1711 Impala 2 door sedan(6 cyl) $2,533 3,445   1961 is the only year for a 2 door sedan in the Impala series
    1735 Impala 4 dr wagon (6 cyl) $2,594 3,485 1,443 6 passenger
    1737 Impala sport coupe (6 cyl) $2,594 3,485    
    1739 Impala 4 door sport sedan (6 cyl) $2,659 3,575    
    1745 Nomad 4 door wagon (6 cyl) $2,989 3,935 600 9 passenger
    1767 Impala convertible (6 cyl) $2,594 3,605 64,6241  64,6002  
    1769 Impala 4 door sedan(6 cyl) $2,587 3,530    
    1811 Impala 2 door sedan(8 cyl) $2,643 3,440   1961 is the only year for a 2 door sedan in the Impala series
    1835 Impala 4 dr wagon (8 cyl) $2,704 3,480 15,719 6 passenger
    1837 Impala sport coupe (8 cyl) $2,704 3,480    
    1839 Impala 4 door sport sedan (8 cyl) $2,769 3,570    
    1845 Nomad 4 door wagon (8 cyl) $3,099 3,930 7,761 9 passenger
    1867 Impala convertible (8 cyl) $2,704 3,600 64,6241  64,6002  
    1869 Impala 4 door sedan(8 cyl) $2,697 3,525    


    1-From the MSA 1958-70 Impala booklet (these numbers include both 6 cylinder and V-8 cars)
    2-From the book entitled, "Sixty years of Chevrolet" (these numbers include both 6 cylinder and V-8 cars)




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