The mission was seen by many as impossible, but Impala and the other full-size Chevys needed just one year to turn the company into the leader of the US auto industry.

Impala gained series status in 1959, with the second generation remaining in production until 1960. The third-generation model went live in 1961 when Chevrolet also launched the famous Super Sport.

Initially offered with a $53 price tag, the SS package ended up becoming the main reason for getting an Impala for a significant number of buyers, especially when interested in a performance upgrade. Impala SS ended up spearheading the sales, with the Super Sport eventually making its way to other Chevy models, too.

A 1961 Chevy Impala that looks like it’s been sitting for a long time is now fighting for a second chance to return to the road if someone online is brave enough to begin a restoration project.

It shouldn’t take more than two seconds to figure out the obvious about this Impala. The car is rough, and the long tenure on the side of the road produced the typical problems, including the rusty floors. The car also comes with missing parts, such as the headlights, but the most disappointing news comes from under the hood.

The Impala no longer has an engine and a transmission, so if you hoped to bring the car back to factory specifications, the mission is much harder. You could still find a correct engine and attempt a full restoration, but the best way to go in this case is to build an SS clone. A more powerful engine, such as a big-block V8, could fit an SS clone like a glove, but any other powerplant would do it if you just want a daily driver.

The car looks intriguing, but I doubt anyone would commit to a purchase without inspecting it in person. Many parts are missing, which could be a deal-breaker for those who don’t want to spend too much time searching for components.

The good news is the Impala sells for cheap, though this was more or less expected considering the rough shape and the missing engine. You can have this hardtop for nearly the price of a maxed-out iPhone 15 Pro Max, as the seller is willing to let it go for $1,800. The vehicle is currently parked in Springfield, and considering its shape, the only way to take it home is on a trailer. Unfortunately, the car sells without a title, but you’ll get the VIN and the cowl tags to allow for a (bit) easier restoration to factory specifications