Childhood Dream of a ’61 Chevy Bubbletop Becomes Reality
en Evans, from Conyers, Georgia, has been a car guy for as long as he can remember. His latest, this green and white ’61 Chevrolet Impala bubbletop is a sought-after car that has been on his mind for decades. Growing up in an automotive family, he recalls the time at about age 11 when his father purchased a new ’64 Henry J. It was the family car until five years later when Len became the new owner on his 16th birthday. It was the start of a wonderful connection and, as a young driver, he cleaned and polished the car at every opportunity, proud to call it his own.
It’s safe to say that the car planted a seed. Over the years more than half a dozen highly unique cars have been in the Evans garage, ranging from a ’23 T-bucket and a ’98 Ferrari Testarossa to a ’41 Willys Pro Street and ’55 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop drag car. Car club participation has also been part of the fun, enjoying membership in the National Street Rod Association, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, the Ferrari club, the Georgia Street Rodders, and the American Street Rodders. The old Henry J clearly started the ball rolling!
Although the original 350 V-8 underhood was still functioning, it was tired and needed to be refreshed. Thomas Racing Engines in Cumming handled the job, modifying the heads and then installing new JE 8.5-1 pistons and an Engle hydraulic cam. An Edelbrock 650 carb sits on a polished Edelbrock intake, MSD ignition lights the fire, and a 1-7/8-inch exhaust with a pair of Flowmaster mufflers and side tips added a new dimension of responsive power and reliability. Len added a 700-R4 automatic, Hughes torque converter, and TCI valvebody, then detailed the motor with red accents.
The elegant tan leather interior was accomplished by Mike George of Alpharetta, Georgia, using showy Chevrolet convertible seat patterns from Cars Inc. Len chose a custom-designed, leather wrapped, CON2R steering wheel on a Flaming River column, augmented with dash-mounted Teleflex gauges. Custom panels were designed for the trunk to hide the car’s air suspension components, then upholstered in leather to match the interior.
While the start date for the project was 2007, Len lists the completion date as “ongoing,” knowing that the car will be a work in progress for as long as he has it. It has already been successful on the show circuit, capturing multiple awards along with admiring glances from spectators. “The best part,” Len says “is watching people’s reactions to the car and hearing their favorable comments. Some want to know the make and year or the color, while many remember seeing the car when it was initially introduced.”
Maybe the best part? The cars in Len’s life have allowed him to return to a simpler time and place. He and Susan have met and made many friends through car shows over the years and their cool bubbletop has certainly expanded the list!