This 1958 Chevrolet Impala would tick a lot of the right boxes for many enthusiasts. It is an original and unmolested survivor. It has a genuine and documented 74,000 original miles on the clock, and the engine bay is home to a 348ci Tri-Power V8. Speaking of homes, it is also a classic that is looking for a new one. It was referred to us by Barn Finder Larry D, and I have to say a huge thank you for that. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you will find the Impala listed for sale here on eBay. There is a BIN of $48,000, but the option is available to make an offer.
The Impala’s owner admits that the vehicle has received a repaint in its original Tropic Turquoise and Arctic White in the past. While it presents well and holds a good shine, there are a few signs of deterioration. These aren’t particularly bad, and the buyer would not be forced to hang their head in shame if they were to drive it as-is. It would benefit from a cosmetic refresh, but it’s not something that would need to be undertaken in the next 5 minutes. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the fender skirts add to a long and low look. The owner says that rust is beginning to appear in what he describes as “the usual spots,” but he doesn’t elaborate on this. The supplied photos don’t seem to show anything, but I have done a bit of detective work on this. It appears that the rust is confined to the inner rear fenders and inner rockers. However, I haven’t been able to clarify how extensive this is. The glass appears to be in excellent condition, while the external trim and the chrome are close to flawless.
Under the hood, we find a 348ci Tri-Power V8 that should be pumping out a very respectable 280hp. This early big-block is hooked to a 2-speed Powerglide transmission, while the Impala also comes equipped with power steering. While the Powerglide did hobble the performance potential, this Impala should still be capable of romping through the ¼ mile in 16.4 seconds. That was a figure to boast about if you owned a 5-seat family car in 1958. The owner doesn’t specifically say that the Chevy is numbers-matching, but he does leave that impression. He claims that it has a genuine 74,000 miles on the clock, and it appears that these are documented. The car runs and drives well, but a couple of items will require attention sooner rather than later. There is a leak from the transmission, and that would be a priority. The owner also suggests that the carburetors would benefit from a tune-up or a possible rebuild. It seems that the Impala is a bit cold-blooded, so it would be well worth the effort to attend to that.
I admit that the Impala’s interior has had me scratching my head because it seems to send mixed messages. Apart from some stretching on the driver’s side of the front seat, all upholstery is excellent. There are no rips or tears and no appreciable wear. The story is very different when it comes to the question of the steering wheel. The wear patterns on this appear to be very odd, which I find confusing. I’m also not sure whether it is a two-tone wheel that someone has tried to restore or whether it might have been replaced at some point. Whatever the story, it doesn’t look right in a car with a mere 74,000 miles on the clock. The rest of the interior looks tidy, with only a few frayed edges and some fading on the carpet to consider. There have been no aftermarket additions, and the original push-button AM radio remains in the dash.
This 1958 Impala has a few quirks, but it generally looks like a great classic with a lot of potential. It would be tempting to address its few mechanical issues before the weather gets warmer so that it is in a good state for a spot of weekend Summer cruising. The great unknown with this car is the rust that the owner mentions in passing. If this isn’t too severe, it might be addressed as time, circumstances, and money allows. It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the first time the owner has offered this Impala for sale. It was passed in at auction back in October of 2020 when the reserve wasn’t met. That means that if you are interested in this classic, it might be worth contacting the seller to do some negotiating. I won’t say that he is desperate, but the fact that it has failed to sell previously could be to the buyer’s advantage. It is worth asking the question because that costs nothing. What’s the worst that he can say?
The usual places on these were the front fenders over the headlights, I can’t remember if it was one Ohio winter or two, but my grandfather’s 58’s fenders were showing holes in no time !
Looking at the interior it is difficult to believe the car has been driven ~77K miles or is 60+ years old. The images taken through the driver’s door tell two different stories. Seeing a painted-over courtesy light switch questions the prep work before the repaint. The wear on the steering wheel doesn’t match the condition of the rest of the interior. The weather stripping around the driver’s door does look well aged. It appears this car went through some sort of refurbishment in the past.
“Mr. Steve Bolander, this is Terry the Toad’s insurance company. We’ve fixed the dent in the rear and repainted it as a token of our appreciation for your patience…”
Very nice car, definitely a Saturday night boulevard cruiser.
Had a good friend in high school with a ‘58 4 door Nomad he bought for $50 one night while working at the local Atlantic Richfield station; seems the owner lost all his cash at the local casino playing craps and needed a bus ticket home to L.A. Painted it Electric Blue, laid down the back seat, put a mattress in the back, tinted the dome light red and cruised the “main drag”. Used my ‘61 Midget when he went to a girls house for a date-seems most dads didn’t like his car.
Go figure! LOL
I am the one who referred this car to BF. Partly because I love ’58 Impalas but mainly it was the picture of the car at the top of the ad. For some reason, to me, that exemplifies what ’58 Impalas are all about. The colors, the angle of it and the fact that the car takes up just about all of the picture are factors in that.
I’ve said many times that I like ’55, ’56 and ’57 Chevrolets but I LOVE ’58, ’59 and ’60 Impalas!
I liked this one so much I have it as my current screen saver.
I’ve never had a ’58 Impala and that is one deep automotive regret for me.
I’ve had two 58 Impalas…one I bought in 1964 and one I bought in 1980 to replicate the first. Neither one had the ‘switch’ (?) on the dash to the right of the clock. Any idea what that is?
I wonder if original seat covers this nice could have been subject to the Fingerhut plastic, custom,clear covers that were so aggressively promoted back in the day. I recall seeing them on several cars and they seemed to have worked well as the years went by.
My second car was a 58 convertible w 348 and trips. But mine was a stick shift which I found out much later was very rare. I sold the farm think to someone just getting out of the penitentiary. I miss that car and with all the memories.
Seems this one has the Turboglide shift quadrant however finding one with the TG still in place should be even more rare than your six pack 348/3spd. Now that it has a PG installed; is it fair to call it a ‘survivor’…?
Correct. The 250 hp 4bbl 348 WAS available with PG. The 280 hp tri-power was only available w/stick or TG. Of course, many/most TGs were replaced with a PG within a few years.
in high school i had one like this but was black on black 348 3speed factory on the column and was a 4 barrell 250 hp loved that car paid 900 for it in 1963
Pretty. Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood. I will say no more. Car guys will get it.
Kinda like that blue XL500 last week
Love the style of 58″s. Rust is always a factor in these cars. Under the hood lays some problems that would need addressed. I dont think this car was a tri power car originally. Carbs are not correct and is missing the correct vacuum pod and many other items. Tri power cars only came in stick shift and turbo glide.
I think in this condition for the buy it now price it should be a convertible with a 4 speed. And I question the quarter window driver side one picture it looks down but the frame remains up? Another picture it’s up with the frame and drivers door window down Hummm. Nice car but not one I would buy for $48k. More like $25k.
Waaayyyyyy too cheap. For this beauty
My ’58 Chevy story goes like this. In the late 80’s, I had a 4 door Del Ray, that was this color, but the similarity ended there. It was a BASIC 4 door, 6 cylinder, 3 speed, and used a lot of oil. To say it got attention, would be an understatement. The 58 Chevy, in a pretty dismal car scene, was the most attractive GM car made. What, the Buick abomination? With as many that were sold, 1.2 million, it edged out Ford as was the most popular car of 1958. Beautiful cars, and sure made an impression on George Lucas, and you can take THAT to the bank.