It’s hard to describe the automotive element known as “stance” to a normal person. But for the rest of us, it is as obvious as the sunrise. Say good morning.

Taking a Classic ’61 Chevy into the Modern Age

Photos and Words by Roger C. Johnson

Let’s face it, the concept of cool-looking cars with hot engines is what makes our world go around. And one of the coolest of all was the GM “Bubbletop” design of 1961. It offered such fresh, clean, and appealing lines that more than a half-century later, it still sweeps us away.  Granted, the ’62 may have a more vocal following, but the ’61 model still has a more visually aggressive style about it.

The perfect example of the car before you happens to be powered by a “stroker” 409. This particular bubbletop has the beauty and brawn to leave many more long-lasting impressions in the years to come.

For owner Daryl Witt, this all started as a mere child when he recalls crawling into the engine bay as his dad worked on a 1956 Chevy pickup. By age nine, he was an expert at operating his dad’s Hurst-equipped shifter from the passenger seat. But like so many of us, Daryl’s enthusiasm for hot cars had to be tempered because of other responsibilities that come with adulthood. But, now he’s back with a vengeance. Let’s call it post-postponement reaction syndrome.

A stroke of good luck had his neighbor “Carlos” introducing Daryl to a local engine builder specializing in Bow Tie products, and renowned 409 guru Lamar Walden. That’s when things began to spiral upward.  Walden then built a small-block LS2 engine (with LS3 heads) for Daryl’s ’67 Pontiac LeMans street car.

Enter the Bubbletop

Shortly thereafter, our hero, Daryl, decided he just had to have a 1961 bubbletop Chevy, so he began the search. Another buddy told him about one for sale that had its original 283 replaced with a 327. It still had the factory four-speed, in great shape and within budget. It was irresistible on sight, so a deal was struck immediately.

The famous “bubbletop” design concept seemed to take hundreds of pounds off the car just because of its pure intuitive pen strokes. Classic five-spoke, polished aluminum wheels add a touch of class and performance in perfectly equal proportions.

Daryl always knew this very drivable Impala with the seductive red paint would just be the basis for the vision in his mind’s eye. That vision was a ’61 that looked beautifully stock at first glance, however enthusiasts would “pick up” on the minor changes he made to the car. So, now that he had possession of the beauty, it was time to add some brawn. Another visit to Walden’s shop was in order.

This time, they started with a fresh cast iron 409 block opened up to displace 482 cubes. Iron heads were selected and tweaked with the classic Lamar Walden magic that has been his trademark for decades. A Holley 750cfm double-pumper rides on top of an Edelbrock RPM Performer intake manifold, supplying air and fuel aplenty to this party.

Other things the average motorist would never notice about this car are a Be Cool radiator, dual electric fans by Derale, and a Vintage Air Super Cool AC system for the hot Atlanta summers.  This car’s factory frame was bolstered and supports tubular control arms from Pure Muscle, ADDCO front and rear sway bars, and front disc brakes by CPP. The car’s original 10-bolt rear was rebuilt and houses 3:36:1 gears, along with a Posi unit.

Under this car, you’ll also find a custom exhaust using 2.5-inch tubing with a pair of single chamber Flowtech mufflers. If that’s not enough to make a proper entrance, just switch open the Qtec electric exhaust cutouts. An Alpine stereo is available whenever Daryl decides he wants more conventional music. With regards to the interior appointments, Daryl wanted a little more flash inside, so his ’61 sports a Digital Dash package incorporating a very stylish analog gauge layout.

The most conspicuous elements in the Impala’s otherwise subtle transformation are the Coys C5 model wheels measuring 18×8 up front and 20×10 in the rear. Hankook tires capture that pavement with 225/40s doing the steering and 275/40s leaving their footprints behind.

The Impala’s stylistic combination of smooth contours and aggressive edges was early insight into modern automotive design. We can see its influence in almost any new car.

We first saw this iconic Chevy peacefully idling in 90-degree temperatures during a typical (read horrible) Atlanta rush hour. The windows were up, and the melodic idle of the big-inch 409 broke the boredom with ease.

Daryl drives his Impala every chance he gets. The mild southern winters mean almost every day is a possible candidate. Each time he starts this Chevy, Daryl offers a nod to Lamar Walden for the pleasure and the privilege of their relationship. One that ended too soon, but will be remembered forever.