Chevrolet’s automobiles for 1958 were all-new, a complete change-up from the popular “Tri-Fives” of 1955-57. But they were bulky-looking cars that weren’t as futuristic as the “Forward Look” products that had emerged in 1957. So, GM began a crash course to redesign them again a year later, resulting in the swoopy styling with flat tailfins that signified the 1959-60 Chevies. This 1959 Impala Sport Sedan (aka 4-door hardtop) is said to be one of the most original examples you’re likely to find today, and it comes with a complete history dating back to when it was assembled. Located in Fruita, Colorado, this amazing beauty is available here on eBay where bidders will have to do better than $31,600 to crack the seller’s reserve.
Lots of interesting details are imparted about this car. For example, its Fisher Body was the 120th used in the first week of 1959 Chevy production. The Impala here was the 712th vehicle built for the model year in the Kansas City plant. It was delivered to a dealer in Leadville, California in late 1958 where was purchased by a miner. That dealer no longer exists as it burned down in 1962 and was never reopened. The original owner of this auto passed away in 2021 after putting just 44,000 miles on it (it was last inspected for road use in 1981).
Everything about this car looks and feels like 1959. It was well-maintained over the years, even during periods of minimal use. It’s never been restored, so the mostly original paint has a few little scratches and dings as you might expect after 64 years, but nothing that should distract. Yet the two-tone Snowcrest White over Roman Red paint looks extremely good. The vehicle comes with loads of documentation so you should be able to trace most of its steps from the time it left the dealership.
The interior is more impressive than the exterior, and that’s saying a lot. The silver/black material looks like it was hardly ever used, and everything comes across as ship shape although the carpeting may be a tad faded in a couple of spots. The windows were tinted from the factory and the lighting in some of the photos probably shows them looking darker than they actually may be.
The drivetrain is original, including the 348 cubic inch V8 (the biggest available at the time). It’s paired with a Turboglide automatic transmission which may need some TLC. It tends to slip a little when cold which apparently is not unusual for them when they sit for long periods. Things like belts and hoses are still original, though the tires, shocks, and exhaust have been renewed over time. Some extra parts are also available, including a rare dealer under-dash air conditioning package. If you like these “batwing” Chevies with “cat’s eye” taillights, it might be hard to find one any nicer than this.
Impressive car in and out. Still, I’m surprised at the current bid and still short of the reserve. That’s a lot of money for a four door.
Stunningly beautiful! Love the red and white combo.
I was a kid when cars like this were in abundance on the roadways. Always liked the ’59 over the ’60.
Could never afford a car like this, but it’s still fun to look at them.
Not necessarily as I would take the four door over a two door any day. Two door coupes are fine if there are ever only going to be 2 people in the car at the same time, but if there are 3 or more then getting into the rear is a real pain in the R’s.
Color combination is suspect . Four doors don’t command big money. This vehicle tops$$$ 10000 maybe $12000.
Fisher body certainly had their work cut out for them making the rear fenders of that design. It has to be and will probably remain the king of fins next to Cadillac. For 59 Chevrolet said let’s tone it down some and lay those fins down instead of up! I have childhood memories of cars I saw that left a lasting impression. My friends pop with a 59 ElCamino was one of them. I used to walk beside the car and trace the lines with my hands.
If it has a turbo glide transmission, it will probably not be up for a rebuild. My parents had a 58 Belair with a turbo, that failed 3rebuilds. The mechanic finally had my dad buy a power glide Transmission and he installed it for free. After that, no problems. The gas mileage also improved from 10 mpg to the high teens.
Back in the day, Chevrolet had two kits in the parts book, each having a unique part number. One was for all the necessary parts, including a complete transmission, to convert a car from a Turboglide to a Powerglide. The other was for converting from a Turboglide to a 3 speed manual transmission.
Beautiful!!! I always liked the 4 door version of the ’59’s better than the 2 door. Fantastic greenhouse! And a 348 with an automatic is icing on the cake.
These 4 door flat tops from GM were just beautifully done. Looking at this particular one I cant help but wonder if it was special ordered to be displayed in the showroom to draw people in. The color combination really catches your eye. And the 348 and Turboglide was top of the line. My grandpa had a 1960 Impala 4 door flat top. He usually bought 2 door hardtops but liked the lines on the 4 door hardtop better for that year. It was white with a blue interior. 348, automatic. And the crazy thing, he had manual steering!!! Never understood that. But he said he didnt mind. This is a great find. Hope it goes to a good home and gets cared for like the original owner did.
My dad bought a ’59 with manual steering as well, which to this day I think not completely sane. So many turns lock to lock, like steering a boat into a lock- and advantages -none.
I was driving my ’71 Cougar convertible and was passing an eighteen wheeler at night. Just as I was even with the cab, he suddenly veered left to pass another truck.I didn’t have time to hit the brakes. I slammed down the gas and jerked the steering wheel to the left simultaneously. The Cougar seemed to pounce ahead and to the left, instantly avoiding a crash. I would have been toast if I had been in my Corvair, but I still love it more.
Cool car.Belts all hoses master & wheel cylinders rebuild and other maint items and rebuild the trans.Enjoy.I could see 40k for this car.4door hardtops are neat.
Wow, I love an original car from those days in nice shape with low mileage. Driving it will be like stepping back in time. I’d get the knee-knocker air conditioning installed and working, and it would be a fun cruiser.
Zen, remember when the 59s were fresh, even when the 49s were fresh.
My brain doesn’t register them as old cars when seeing one. Seems more like normal and still not used to the newer versions even though we’re driving around in em.
Oh yeh, the 59-60 version GM cars, 4-Door Sport Sedan in particular. Not sure about safety standards and A-Pillar/B-Pillar/C-Pillar meeting 2023 overhead integrity compliance but sure can’t criticize the all-around visibility capability. None the less an exceptional remnant from the past.
Terry, they are a treat to drive! Friend owns a `59 Old 98 4dr. flat-top that I’ve driven a short distance. No blind spots!! What a concept!
Leadville is in Colorado.
This one reminds me of the first car I ever really owned, a 1960 four door hardtop black with a white spear and red interior. It had a 348 in it, my brother owned the car and sold the motor to a guy that wanted to put in his pickup. Well doing the installation was part of the sale and my payment was the car and the 283 that came out of the pickup. Never did get the 3 speed floor shifter working right. It was too complicated for my 13 year old brain. Ended up trading that one for a 1962 SS convertible
you went from a Hard top to a Drop top! in my book your 13 y/o brain was doing just fine.. My first car was a 69 Firebird, it was a nice car but I would have preferred to have a convertible. I had to wait until my 4th car to realize my drop top dreams. a 68 Camaro ,blue on blue. 327 4spd RS. wish I’d held that one but Harley Davidson became my passion. 1964 Panhead which I still ride today..
Does anyone else here still own their first car? Share your story..
’79 Fat Bob Superglide here, owned and ridden for 43 years.
I bought a 64 Impala convertible in 1978 when I was 14 from the original owner for 300.00. The car is fully optioned 327 with every option she could get from ac to the automatic headlight dimmer. In 1985 a guy ran a red light and took out the left side. I took the insurance settlement, entombed the car from the world and bought a fully optioned red and black two tone 59 Impala convertible which I still have also. People who don’t understand the crazy prices for these may have never drove them because, you never know where cars like these will take you. To me this Era was the golden age of the automobile. The pens in Detroit ran free.
I still own my 1972 Gran Torino Sport. I bought it for $350 in 1975. In 72.. my dad was due a new company car. Knowing that it would be my 1st car.. the company agreed to let me pick it out. They had a deal with the Ford dealership so dad told me to chose what i wanted. I got a sportsroof w/ 351C-4v – 4 spd. Gold with the laser stripe. Brown high back bucket seats and console. It now has 85k miles on it and stays parked in the garage except for weekends with good weather.
1966 Corvair Monday Convertible. Great little car!!!
It took you until your 4th car to get a ragtop? WOW!!! It ONLY took me until my 107th car to do it..
57 to 58 to 59 had to cost GM fortunes in body changes. I’ll never know how Chrysler could afford the constant body changes. The 58 economy was hard enough to overcome.
250,000,000.00 in 58 alone for the body changes.
What’s up with the dual side mirrors on the driver’s side??
The driver had 2 heads.
50% of all drivers do ;-\
He must get that question everywhere he goes.
Azzura…to compensate for double vision? lol. Don’t drink and drive.
I would guess that one mirror is for viewing the traffic in the rear of his car and the other for viewing traffic in the next lane.
Having a mirror on top of the fender and a foot or so ahead of the windshield allows you to see the cars on both sides of you. Useful when in heavy city traffic, like in NYC or China.
Leadville is in Colorado, not California.
And in New South Wales. Back OT, a great ‘flat top” I’d add Impala wheel trims.
Wow! The last time I saw a Chevy like this one was in the first Mad Max film! You just don’t see those anywhere anymore.
And in New South Wales. Back OT, a great ‘flat top” I’d add Impala wheel trims.
The 1959 GM Flattops had a design flaw. The middle of the back seat had almost no foam and was quite uncomfortable. My family had a 1959 Bel-Air 4 door sedan and its back seat had foam padding that was comfortable. I had no experience with the 2 door models so I don’t know if they had comfortable or uncomfortable back seats.
Anyone know what that condenser looking cylinder is bolted to the steering column by the shift quadrant?
In the eBay listing it shows all the options ordered on this car. Dash gear indicator light is #10. The original buyer must have checked the box without seeing how it was attached. Looks more like a trinket from The J.C. Whizbang Catalog.
The extra fender mounted mirror was also an option. Maybe he didn’t realize how few blind spots this car has, or maybr there was the potential to tow a trailer. It wouldn’t be possible to adjust that one while sitting in the driver’s seat.
Looks like it could be a Light for the Shift Indicator Lens, nightime lighting.
Holy cow – the guy has of them! Lucky him.
OOPS! Sliped away. The guy has 3 Impalas!!
Love that “W” motor.
Lots of comments on the 1959, and as popular as they are now they command very good value for resale.
I spent many miles watching America go by in the back window of my Pops 59′ either sleeping or just laying in back watching the truckers and always looking for the Campbell 66 Express Trucks, “Humping To Please” Camel logo.
Awesome being a kid back then! And the logo’s and artwork on freight outfits back then was very cool, giving you something to do just looking for the different companies and counting away.
I have a soft spot in my heart for the 1959 because Pop either raced his 1959 Chevrolet stock car or the 1960 Ford Starliner stock car on specific tracks. Living the stock car life back then was awesome. I sit here looking at pictures of his stock cars, remembering what it was like sleeping in the garage while Dad and friends were building engines. Lots of film also 16mm.
The short lived Ford Starliners were scarce finds when new and seem to be outright rare finds today.
70th Tank Battalion Road, Fort Knox, Kentucky. People had a brand new dark blue ’59 Impala Sport Sedan. Cousin Henry Hunt had a white ’59 Impala Sport Coupe, that he messed up somehow. Two more Sport Sedans in this area, a collector had a black ’59 Impala Sport Sedan, and way up the highway from here, a really decent Gothic Gold/white top ’59 Impala Sport Sedan. Personal relations with 4dr flattops, the ’59 Dynamic 88 I had too briefly, and the ’59 Catalina papa had use of so mom could have the ’67 Corvair 2dr family car. One of my favorite body styles.
I never wanted a 4 door, until my first grandchild was born. So much getting her into the car seat.
YUP big time LEADVILLE is in the Colorado High of country, Lotta good guys up there, AND TONS of snow. 4WDs a must! Built a few homes up there,
I had a ’59 convertible and loved it. I think the 4-door is ugly.
My one and only flat top was a 59 Buick and unfortunately I didn’t have it very long when I discovered it was not the clean, solid carit was presented to and seemed to be. The previous owner was a flipper and had repaired severe frame and rear suspension rot and made it look great. However the rust repairs were done by welding in, grinding smooth, bondoing and painting body tin patches in place. It didn’t take long for the car to develop a tail wagging habit after a short time on the wonderful Minnesota roads and when I hit a pothole on a sharp curve in the highway when I was looking for a place to pull over to check what the problem was, the rear end tore loose and I had an interesting ride to say the least. He had put so much time into making it look perfect that it had to have taken him longer to do than it would have taken to do the job right. I lost my short on that car as the seller was selling it because he was leaving to pay for moving to Texas. He left town before I even got it the 10 miles home. It fell apart a week later. I was never able to find him to get my money back.