Photography by John Jackson
ARTWORK by Tavis Highlander
f there was ever a ’61 Chevy Impala bubbletop that has captured hot rodders’ attention nationwide it’s Dan Duffy of Marietta, Georgia’s Chevy built by Big Oak Garage (BOG). It should also be mentioned that it has brought home the awards to warrant this attention. The ’61 Chevy Impala bubbletop has taken home Goodguys Custom of the Year, helped BOG, under the direction of Will Posey, take home Builder of the Year, and a Meguiar’s Top 12. It was also a multi-award winner at the Grand National Roadster Show by capturing the Sam Foose Design Award and the Sid Chavers Stitch of Excellence honor. Added to this it won the “Go For The Gold” Award at Darryl Starbird’s National Rod & Custom.
However, there is one more significant award to mention and one to hope for. The ’61 Chevy also won Triple Crown of Rodding’s Best Street Cruiser award and as such received an automatic invitation to the Barrett-Jackson Cup in Scottsdale, Arizona, held in January 2023. Here it will compete for $20,000 and other notable prizes.
OK, you are thinking, “Where was the sheetmetal taken out of the front of the car?” It wasn’t. The wedge section was installed, not removed, from the rear to accommodate the 409 W motor. What? Yep, because of the packaging requirements of the 409, which as we all know is noticeably taller than any of the conventional modular motor powerplants.
This ’61 Chevy Impala owned by Dan and impeccably displayed around the country by BOG has left crowds speechless. Well, other than the incredible sigh once your eyes take in this build.