The 1958 Chevrolets would turn out to be “one-year-wonders.” All new that year, the cars were longer, lower, and heavier than the year before and would get redone again for 1959 as a reaction to earlier moves made by Chrysler and Ford. The Bel Air was no longer the top model, but still quite popular, and the seller has accumulated a pair of them that could be made into one good car. Located in Oak Grove, Missouri, this duo is available here on craigslist for $4,700 OBO. Thanks for the twofer tip, Gunter Kramer.
In 1957, both Ford and Chrysler rolled out all-new models while the full-size Chevies would be in the third year of a production cycle. Ford would outsell Chevrolet, and Plymouth (and company) would outdo everyone else in the styling department. The tables turned again in 1958 and the Chevies were the only really new autos that year, regaining the top sales spot from Ford in what would become a recession year with the U.S. economy.
Chevrolet would do more than change the looks of their vehicles in 1958. The bodies were mounted on a new “Safety-Girder” frame, which featured X-type construction with three cross members and a center tube. Out back, the rear suspension design changed from traditional leaf springs to coils with three control arms. Up front, there was new steering with a jointed steering shaft and steering pieces ahead of the front wheels. But the engine and transmission offerings were mostly a carryover from 1957.
The seller has a pair of Bel Air sedans, one with two doors and the other with four. We’re told the coupe may be the more viable of the two cars to work with, which suggests the other could serve as a donor. Both the cars are on an equal footing in the performance department, with each having the 235 cubic-inch “Blue Flame” inline-6 that produced 145 hp when in running condition, which neither of these likely is. Both have issues with their bodies but if any sheet metal transplants would be in order, only the front clips and bumpers are probably interchangeable.
We’re told the coupe still wears its original black paint. The odometer reading is 86,000 miles and the gears are shifted through a 3-on-the-tree manual transmission, standard fare in those days. Would you be inclined to treat this pair as a single project, or would you try to resurrect both Chevrolets?
There was a guy at my high school that had a black 58 Delray. I think he put a 293 or 348 in place of that 235. That car was fast!
in high school I had a 1958 black Impala 348 factory 3 speed 1958 was the first year for the 348 and that car was quick
I love them both!!! I’d leave the outer bodies as is, make the floors safe, redo the brakes and suspension, put a newer fuel injected V8 in and leave the there on the tee!
My dad’s buddy had three of these back in 63. I was a squirt back then but thought they were ugly compared to pops 57’s. One of them only had one taillight I believe (a Delray?) The other two were Impalas. The one with single? Taillights had a 348 with tripower and four speed my dad told me later and he said it would run very well. Danny got drunk one night and rolled the 348 car three or four times, banging him up pretty well. I remember him and my pops stripping it out in his driveway before he had it hauled off for scrap.
the engine line up for 1958 was not the same as in 1957 big difference in 1958 Chevy brought out the 348 same block that latter became the 409 in 1957 biggest engine was the 283 had a 1958 Impala 348 factory 3 speed fast car beat a friend’s 1959 vette 283 dual quad 245 hp now before everyone jumps all over. me there where 2 283 dual quads in 1959 245 hp hydraulic lifters and a 270 hp solid lifter friends was the 245 hp and I know I would not have beat the 270 hp one
1958 Chevys did not have same carry over engine line up as the 1957 they added the 348 to the line up in 1958 as we all know the 348 later became the 409 same w head block
in high school I had a 1958 black Impala 348 factory 3 speed 1958 was the first year for the 348 and that car was quick
I bought one in 78 with a fresh rebuilt 283 and a set of new radial tires. Just tap the key and it was running wether it was 100 degrees or below zero. It went down the road like a big comfy couch on wheels. Total cost…. 25 dollars. I miss those days.