Ridler Great 8 Finalist One-Off 1961 Impala Wagon EFI 473ci V8 Air Ride

In a crowd full of bolt-on builds and display-only shells, this '61 Impala wagon claims its own spotlight. Known as the “Double Bubble”, this car isn't just a build, it's a statement. Born from a wild vision and brought to life over several years with a reported seven-figure investment, this one-off stunner was crafted with zero compromise, it's the kind of machine that makes experienced car builders quietly take notes. It's part concept car, part showpiece, part street machine, and 100% jaw-dropper.

The idea? Take a '61 Chevrolet Impala, one of the more celebrated full-size offerings from GM, and completely reimagine it as a two-door wagon. What came to life is a one-off masterclass in fabrication, led by the award-winning Greening Auto Company with design work from the one and only Eric Brockmeyer. The mission? Build it for a shot at the Ridler Award, and it didn't miss. In 2016, “Double Bubble” earned a place in the prestigious Ridler Great 8 at Detroit Autorama.

The original plan called for grafting a second roof onto the car, but the final execution went even further. The entire roof and fully functioning rear hatch were hand-fabricated from scratch. The signature twin-domed silhouette gives the car its name, and a multi-ribbed rear surface nods to the iconic 1955 to 1957 Nomad. The roof was chopped 3 inches and supported by hand-formed pillars. The glass is flush-mounted, the door handles are shaved, and every single line has been tweaked, sharpened, or massaged for balance. This is coach-built elegance on a muscle-bound platform.

The sheet metal tells the rest of the story: custom side trim, hand-fabricated fender flares, a lengthened hood with a raised cowl, and a fully hand-built rear hatch. Even the exhaust was given special treatment, exiting cleanly through the customized rear bumper. From recessed taillights to the 'DB' logo worked into the chassis, interior, and engine bay, every element plays its part in the grand design.

Finished in a white BASF Glasurit finish that nails the balance between subtlety and show-stopper, it rides on staggered custom 18" and 20" Schott wheels that echo the factory Impala style but with way more attitude. And speaking of attitude, the hood? It's electronic. A press of a button lifts the hood, exposing an engine bay that's been honed down to pure artistry.

Underneath that hood is where nostalgia meets modern muscle: a 409ci V8 stroked out to 473 cubes, Edelbrock heads, and a slick eight-stack electronic fuel injection system. Even the intake and valve covers are custom-painted, split between satin and gloss tones, and carry the DB branding. Power is transferred through a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission. And exhaust runs through custom manifolds into a full stainless dual system with Flowmasters.

The whole car sits on a heavily modified Art Morrison chassis, two-toned and detailed with the same level of intent as the rest of the body. It's got a triangulated 4-link rear with CNC-machined hardware, rack-and-pinion steering, adjustable RideTech ShockWave air suspension, machined control arms, and Wilwood disc brakes with cross-drilled and slotted rotors. Even the pumpkin on the 9-inch rear end is custom machined. Just like everything else on this car, nothing was left untouched.

Inside, the level of finish hits you like a punch. Paul Atkins worked his magic on a two-tone tan and brown leather cabin with custom-built bucket seats, a matching rear bench, and bullet trim door inserts. The dash is completely fabricated and features a center-mounted gauge cluster by Classic Instruments, while controls for the air ride and air conditioning are hidden beneath a stealth panel. You won't find any plastic switchgear here, the Motorhead Jewelry shifter alone deserves its own trophy.

After its debut in Detroit, Double Bubble went on to earn multiple top honors including a pair of Goodguys Builder's Choice Awards. Not a single piece of this car is off the shelf. Nothing here is plug-and-play. This is the true definition of a show car, and while it came just shy of grabbing the Ridler, the industry saw what was accomplished. Double Bubble is a rolling sculpture, a tribute to what happens when vision meets talent and zero compromise.

Key Highlights

* One-off custom 1961 Impala wagon
* Multi-year build by Greening Auto Company
* Reported $1.5 million build cost
* 2016 Detroit Autorama Ridler Great 8 finalist
* Hand-fabricated roof and rear hatch
* 473ci V8 (stroker 409ci V8)
* Eight-stack electronic fuel injection
* Tremec 5-speed manual transmission
* Modified Art Morrison chassis
* Ford 9" rear axle with 3.50 gearing
* Detroit Locker differential
* Triangulated four-link rear suspension
* RideTech air suspension
* Paul Atkins custom interior
* Hand-fabricated dashboard
* Custom Schott wheels (18" front/20" rear)
* Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes
* Power rack-and-pinion steering
* Modern air-conditioning