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348 Tri-Power: 1959 Chevrolet Impala Hardtop

Chevrolet marched to the beat of a different drummer when it designed the 1959 Impala. The car appeared at the peak of the fin era, but unlike offerings from its competitors that focused on the height of the fins, the Impala had a more horizontal appearance that resembled a pair of arched eyebrows. Buyers seemed to love the look because Chevrolet sold more than 1.1 million examples of the Impala across all derivatives in that model year alone. This car is more than just a pretty face. It features an engine that should offer its next owner a sprightly and entertaining driving experience. Located in Bee Spring, Kentucky, you will find the Impala listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $42,600 off the back of some spirited action. The reserve hasn’t been met, so there is still time for potential buyers to stake their claim on this classic.

There’s a lot to drink in with this Impala, and it is a guaranteed head-turner wherever it goes. As well as those distinctive fins, Chevrolet had a few other tricks up its sleeve when it came to styling cues. The Impala is far from a small car, but the company managed to avoid making it look heavy by designing it with slim pillars and a large glass area. The panels are incredibly straight, with no signs of dings or dents. These wear a combination of Classic Cream and Snowcrest White paint that shines beautifully. The owner supplies a good selection of high-resolution photos, and these show no evidence of any rust issues. The panels look clean, while the floors and frame are spotless. This car brings a touch of class to the table with the inclusion of fender skirts, spinner hubcaps, and exhaust ports in the lower rear quarter panels. These are in excellent condition, as are the trim and chrome. The original owner ordered the Impala with tinted glass, and this appears to be as immaculate as the rest of the exterior.

Chevrolet offered buyers a wide choice of engine options in 1959, but the one in this car rates as one of the best. This car features a 348ci Tri-Power V8 that would be producing around 280hp. The vehicle is also equipped with a 2-speed Powerglide transmission and power brakes (albeit with what appears to be a modern booster). I would expect that the Impala should be capable of covering the ¼-mile in 17.5 seconds, and while that time doesn’t sound that impressive, it still stood up nicely for a car that tipped the scales at 3,860lbs back in 1959. The owner doesn’t indicate whether the Chevy is numbers-matching, but there are a few aftermarket additions to the engine bay. One of the most obvious is the aluminum radiator. I know that this is a sensible addition that should help prevent an expensive melt-down, but I would be searching for a genuine radiator if I were to buy this car. An original item that has been properly rebuilt can keep that V8 cool enough and help enhance the appearance of the engine bay. The owner doesn’t indicate how well the Impala runs or drives, but if appearances are any guide, the Impala should be a pleasure on the road.

The Impala’s interior looks striking, and there’s not a lot to fault here. There appear to be some stray wires hanging under the dash, so I would tie them back to give that area a cleaner look. Otherwise, it all looks pretty fresh and clean. The dash is spotless, with no wear or damage. All of the original gauges are present, with markings that look crisp and lenses that are clean and cloud-free. There is no wear on the wheel, and the original AM radio is still intact. The Impala also features 2-speed wipers, windshield washers, and an under-dash air conditioning system. This last item is an aftermarket unit, and if the buyer is concerned about retaining originality, it could be removed.

I couldn’t let this car pass without showing a photo of the Tri-Color upholstery. One of the more endearing features of American vehicles from this era was how manufacturers made an obvious attempt to make interiors seem luxurious. Even the most basic models offered trim and chrome that made every journey feel like a special occasion. Vehicles like this took that effect to a new level, and I wish that we had manufacturers today who were willing to be as bold and daring as those from this era. This upholstery looks faultless, and I wonder whether anyone has ever sat in that back seat. The cover on the front seat is equally as impressive as are the remaining upholstered surfaces and the headliner. This interior needs nothing, and traveling in this car would have to feel pretty special.

It isn’t clear whether this 1959 Impala is a numbers-matching car, but it seems to stand out for all of the right reasons. The buyer should not need to spend a penny on this beyond the sale price because it appears that everything has been done for them. The question of originality is an important one to consider when determining the potential value of this car. We know that the radiator and air conditioning are later additions, but it isn’t clear what other changes might have been made by the current or previous owners. If it checks out, then it is possible that the bidding could reach $80,000. However, we have seen a few in recent times that have sprung a surprise by breaking into six-figure territory. I’m not sure if this one can reach that level, but I wouldn’t rule it out. The classic scene is renowned for springing surprises, and this could potentially be one of them.

Comments

  1. Avatar Joe Machado

    Too modified to be orignal hi dollar.
    Chime in chris, your specialty, makin non real and tell buyers, yep, famly since new.
    Chevies were of the low priced three!
    I worked at Chevy, never saw a highly optioned one.
    I don’t remember how to prove a tri-power in person.
    Otherwise, my favorite year Chev. Had a 348, 4 bbl, Turboglide, lite metallic blue and white top. Beautiful blue interior.
    Since air was added, drive it! No excuse. Keep your feather duster away. Enjoy people at shows asking and lookin it over.

    Like 7
    • Avatar bone

      True, if you were looking for a car with a lot of options, you wouldn’t have been shopping for a Chevy ,you’d be heading to the Buick Olds dealer !

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Mikefromthehammer

    Shown here for sale at $100K or best offer. Mileage is shown as 91,871 not 37,750 as on eBay:

    https://www.sandsclassiccars.com/1959-chevrolet-impala-hardtop

    Like 6
  3. Avatar Mark

    Something familiar about the pics….wasn’t there a blue 59 tri-power listed on BF not that long ago belonging to the same owner?

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Will Fox

    A gorgeous `59, but IMHO overdone with skirts & fish eyes behind the rear wheel openings. Lose those, and the visual appeal improves greatly.

    Like 10
  5. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    Do you have to change the heater core/upgrade to a larger radiator/add a fan shroud(if none from factory) when adding vintage air?
    I suppose changing to a declutching fan would not be a bad idea either.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Joe Machado

      If air is 134, add an additional electric fan.

      Like 1
    • Avatar Bob

      The Vintage Air units come with their own heater core, all self contained in the unit. It would be wise to go with a larger radiator.

      Like 2
  6. Avatar Larry D

    Again as I said in another post, a great seller I’ve watched for years on ebay but his cars are always EXPENSIVE!

    Like 1
  7. Avatar MikeB

    The 280 hp. 348 cu in. was a nice engine indeed. Hydraulic lifters did not require periodic adjustment like the solid lifter 315 hp. did.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Chris M.

    Classic design. The colors are the only thing holding this one back IMO. Otherwise great looking car.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Chuck Dickinson

      Speaking of colors, this two-tone combo is an “owner’s choice”. I’m positive that Classic Cream was only two-toned with Aspen Green, not w/ white.

      Like 1
  9. Avatar tiger66

    Not a “Tri-Power” unless it’s a Pontiac. Chevy didn’t use the term.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar 17thMichigan

    Ford and Chevy also used Tri-Power.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Clark

    I would have a sun roof installed.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar jokacz

    If memory serves, Ford outsold Chevy in ’59. I believe the styling of the Chevy was blamed for the loss. I think the Chevy is better looking than the Ford.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Larry D

      @jokacz

      You are correct. Ford did outsell Chevrolet in ’59. They also outsold Chevrolet in ’57!

      As a Chevrolet man, this is hard for me to say but I have always liked the ’57 Ford better than the ’57 Chevrolet.

      Like 5
      • Avatar jokacz

        The ’57 Chevy was a pleasant looking car, but it looked dated compared to the offerings of Ford and Chrysler that year. The ’57 Ford was good looking, but the ’59 was just weird IMO.

        Like 1
  13. Avatar Burger

    One of the best looking cars to ever wear the Chevy badge. Love that color, …. so NOT red ! Yeah, the skirts hide the outstanding rear wheel opening shape and make the tail look bulky. We got enough of the bloated pig look in 58, thanks. The odd little chrome teardrop is just that, odd and distracting from an otherwise slippery design. I would be thrilled to pitch those two things in the nearest dumpster and enjoy the hell out of this car.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Chuck Dickinson

      The “Exhaust Ports”, as Chevy called them, were a correct GM accy from 58-60. I had an NOS set I was going to put on my 58 Impala when I restored it, but I decided they were just too much. They weren’t too common when they were new, which is probably why there were a lot of NOS sets around years later. From way back then, I recall a yellow/white 58 Brookwood (an unusual choice) which had them. You would see them in twos or fours.

      Like 1
  14. Avatar Anthony DAmico

    This was an interesting read. Nice 59 Chevy. But is it cream? or is it blue? 37k miles? or 91k miles? Sold for $74k….now asking $100k? I’m confused. Buyer beware.

    Like 0

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