1961 Chevy 409 info wanted:

ss wannabee · 02-10-2009, 04:57 PM

Trying to figure out for my buddy and can't seem to find info....... 1. Was the 409 engine introduced initially or sometime during the model year? Any idea of what month?

2. Wasn't the 409hp (2x4bbl) engine available in the 1961 year, perhaps late? I'm talking about ordering a car with the engine not buying it at the parts counter. Most Internet sites I've searched list 360hp (1x4bbl) only. I recall a NHRA legal 1961 Impala hardtop racing in D/S during the '71 season with the 409hp engine and as many here will recall, rules were a bit tighter and cars HAD to exist then....NOT like today! Maybe 409hp was over the parts counter (at the time), and ALLOWED by NHRA in Stock? I know that 409hp was production in 1962.

3. If 409hp came in production late (1961), any idea how many 409hp cars built? Also, anybody know how many 1961 Super Sport 409 cars built? Total 1961 SS production was 453....many were 348 but?? Also, appears to be only 142 cars built with the 409 engine that year......in various body styles....pretty rare indeed!

02-10-2009, 04:57 PM	#1
ss wannabee Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 663 Likes: 0 Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts	1961 Chevy 409 info wanted: Trying to figure out for my buddy and can't seem to find info....... 1. Was the 409 engine introduced initially or sometime during the model year? Any idea of what month? 2. Wasn't the 409hp (2x4bbl) engine available in the 1961 year, perhaps late? I'm talking about ordering a car with the engine not buying it at the parts counter. Most Internet sites I've searched list 360hp (1x4bbl) only. I recall a NHRA legal 1961 Impala hardtop racing in D/S during the '71 season with the 409hp engine and as many here will recall, rules were a bit tighter and cars HAD to exist then....NOT like today! Maybe 409hp was over the parts counter (at the time), and ALLOWED by NHRA in Stock? I know that 409hp was production in 1962. 3. If 409hp came in production late (1961), any idea how many 409hp cars built? Also, anybody know how many 1961 Super Sport 409 cars built? Total 1961 SS production was 453....many were 348 but?? Also, appears to be only 142 cars built with the 409 engine that year......in various body styles....pretty rare indeed!