I had been looking to find a 61-63 Biscayne or Belair for some time. Thought I’d share a few pics of the car I picked up. It is a true little old lady owned car, (and yes the plastic Jesus was hers!) sold new at Seip Chevrolet in South Chicago, and she had the car serviced just North in Sawyer Michigan until 1993. When she passed the car was sold at an estate sale. In 2002 It changed hands to a guy in Florida that started a light restoration keeping the mostly original paint, original interior, but pulling the body, removing the undercoating that preserved it. Did a red oxide underside ( a little gloss), painted the chassis, changed the 6 glide to a “year two” stout 62 327 and a 4 speed, and new carpet. He didn’t get the car finished and sold it 4-5 years ago when it got finished up with station wagon wheels, fresh chrome on the bumpers, and some nice detailing. Car is rock solid and drives great. I’ve got minimal changes planned. Will be putting on some painted steel 327 valve covers, and maybe change the intake to a 63-65 GM aluminum intake if I can locate one.
Congratulations on your great 1961 Chev. The car looks better than new and they are a really great car. My brother & I learned to drive with our Dad's 1961 Chev with a 3 speed standard. I got to drive it slow on the back roads with my Dad while he was hunting for a deer or moose before I was able to get a license. I got to shoot the partridge. Good memories.
Wow!how‘s that for an early X-mas present! You must have been good! That‘s a beautiful car and my favorite color of the 61-64 Chevys… my first car was a 62 Impala with under 16k of miles in just that same color… I‘ve had for 25 year now and it stay until I‘m gone . Have fun with your 61!
That thing is clean. It's nice to see someone is remaking the Bel Air interior, my g/f had a '61 sedan top like yours years ago. It was her only car in the mid to late 90's, sold it needing finishing as she wanted a wagon....I miss that thing.
That is a nice one. I like the way it is done up too. Not far from what a guy who snagged one off a car lot might have done in the mid/late 60's. My grandparents bought a Biscayne Wagon the same color combo in 1961 Trading a really nice 54 Chevy 210 two door post for it. Great car with a 283 and a glide. We did a lot of grandparents and grandkid road trips in that one.
My cousin was the service manager for Seip Chevrolet from the early 70s until they closed. They were a busy shop and a good family to work for.
Dang! That is a tight little ride there. Underhood area looks terrific. Hoses and little pieces grab my eye. Those GM correct tower clamps & marked heater hoses don't cost much more than parts store stuff. But are the only ones to have. Sleepers were discussed on the HAMB recently. Some said ''stealthy'' cars were soon outed, rarely catching others off guard. Your car could do it. Slide up at a light next to a hot shoe making lots of noise. Jump the green 'cause he wasn't even thinking you were a player. See him fume in your rearview trying to catch up. Good times!
Very nice! I have always loved a 61 sedan. I tried to buy one about 30 years ago for a long time sitting in someone’s backyard in town until it finally just disappeared one day. Looks like you definitely got a solid one! Congrats!
Bucket list car. I did have a '61 4-door, but it had serious rust issues. It did run amazingly well with the 283 and PG.
Nice car! I love wide rims and poverty hubcaps. Nice sleeper look that can be backed up. I have a '64 Belair, unrestored, with that same look and color, now faded. Nice job!
I always have liked the roofline on 1961 GM sedans. My first car was a '61 Catalina four door sedan; I don't know what Chevy called them, but on Pontiacs it was a 'Vista Roof'. p.s. I still have the windshield and back glass out of that car, if you need spares.
Great ride you have there.Had a friend in high school who snagged the same color combo as yours only it was an Impala with a 348. I think I’ve only seen one more Impala flat top sedan since ..you did good, congrats.
That is one fine ride. Matter of fact, it's quite impressive. I see that it is still running with a single reservoir master cylinder. Might consider changing that to a duel. Just saying.
Your car is in such great shape that you most likely never have a problem with your brake lines or hoses. With the single master cylinder, if you do blow out a line or hose, you lose all braking instantly. You've got nothing, zip...nada. The dual master cylinder divides the fronts from the rears. So if you have a problem with the rear brakes, you still have the front brakes to help you stop. And vice versa.
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