1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409

Buzz

Chevrolet revolutionized the muscle car scene in the early 1960s, particularly with the 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409. The Super Sport package, launched mid-1961, highlighted the debut of the powerful 409-cid V-8 engine.

Muscle Car Image Gallery

Priced at an affordable $53.80, the SS "kit" was available for any Impala model. It featured Super Sport interior and exterior styling, reinforced chassis, enhanced springs and shocks, high-performance brakes with sintered metallic linings, spinner wheel covers, and one of Chevrolet's first uses of narrow whitewall tires. The dashboard included a Corvette-inspired passenger grab bar, and the steering column was equipped with a 7000-rpm tachometer.

The SS kit was paired exclusively with Chevrolet's most robust V-8 engines. The 348-cid options ranged from a 305 bhp four-barrel to a 350 bhp tri-carb version. The standout choice was the 409, a high-performance variant of the 348, featuring forged aluminum pistons, an aggressive camshaft, and 11.25:1 compression. With a single four-barrel carburetor on an aluminum intake manifold, it delivered 360 bhp, cementing its place in automotive history.

In 1961, Chevrolet produced 491,000 Impalas, with only 453 featuring the SS package. Of those, a mere 142 were equipped with the legendary 409 engine. Its reputation spread rapidly, thanks to its 409 lb-ft of torque and the ability to complete quarter-mile runs in the mid-15-second range with the standard 3.36:1 rear axle and mandatory four-speed manual transmission. The Beach Boys immortalized it with the lyrics, "She's real fine, my 409," solidifying its iconic status.

©2007 Publications International, Ltd. The SS option, available on hardtop and convertible Impalas, included narrow whitewall tires, SS badges, a passenger grab bar, a steering-column-mounted tachometer, and upgraded suspension components.

The SS badge adorned iconic Chevrolets well into the 1970s before taking a long break. The 409 engine, however, was only available until 1965. Despite reaching up to 425 bhp and being offered in base models like Bel Airs and Biscaynes, its design roots in a late-1950s truck engine and limitations for performance upgrades led to its decline during the rise of modern high-performance engines.

In total, the 409 engine was installed in just 43,775 vehicles. Its legendary status, far exceeding its production numbers, highlights the significant influence it had during the early days of muscle cars.

Return to Classic Muscle Cars Library.

For more fascinating details about muscle cars, check out:

Chevy muscle cars

were at the core of high-performance, big-engine vehicles. Explore profiles, photos, and specifications of Chevy muscle cars.
Muscle cars came in various shapes and sizes. Discover features on over 100 muscle cars, including photos and specifications for each model.
Muscle cars developed their own unique culture. To understand it better, read How Muscle Cars Work.

Explore detailed profiles of these muscle cars, complete with photos and specifications for each model:

The 1961 Pontiac Ventura 389 stood out as one of the most elegant early muscle cars.
While fastbacks were common, none could match the speed of the 1966 Dodge Charger 426 Hemi.
The 1963 Plymouth 426 Wedge was so powerful that it came with warnings against using it on public roads.
Any '71 Chevelle could sport a Super Sport badge, but only the 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 had the distinction of displaying its engine size as well.

The engine defines the bold character of a muscle car. To understand everything about car engines, check out How Car Engines Work.
Horsepower is the lifeblood of muscle cars, but what exactly is it? Find the answer in How Horsepower Works.
NASCAR race cars embody the essence of muscle car power. Learn what drives these high-performance machines in How NASCAR Race Cars Work.
Considering purchasing a 2007 muscle car or another vehicle? Visit Consumer Guide Automotive for New-Car Reviews, Prices, and Information.

The 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409

Specifications

Wheelbase, inches: 119.0

Weight, lbs: 3,700

Number built: 142

Base price: $2,900

Standard Engine

Type: ohv V-8

Displacement, cid: 409

Fuel system: 1 x 4bbl.

Compression ratio: 11.25:1

Horsepower @ rpm: 360 @ 5800