The term “bubble top” was coined in reference to the expansive use of glass vs. a minimal application of sheet metal in the roofs of the 1961-62 Chevrolet Sport Coupes. But in recent years, the 1959-60 Chevies have been rolled into that group by many collectors. This 1960 Impala may wear it best, with the rear glass leading into a rear decklid that’s large enough to be the deck of a Navy aircraft carrier. We’re told the seller’s car is original and the only thing that appears to be an add-on is the air conditioner under the dash. Located in Sunland Park, New Mexico, this Suntan Copper beauty is available here on eBay where bidders have raised to ante to $32,296 without cracking the reserve. Plan B is to take the car home for $47,000 (Buy It Now).
General Motors got outdone in the styling department in 1958, well at least the Chevrolets. An all-new design that led to a bigger car that was round at every turn, they were no styling match for the 1957-59 “Forward Look” Chrysler products. So it would become a one-year-wonder as GM hurried to bring out its 1959 models which capitalized on the tailfin craze at the time but went with horizontal vs. vertical ones. The ’59 Chevies had “cat eye” taillights which I never found particularly attractive, but they were replaced with double or triple round taillights on each side for 1960 which would become a styling trademark of the GM division for many years.
The seller’s Impala looks to be in exceptional condition, having been well-kept. At first glance, I thought the car had been restored, but the seller makes no claims of any huge investment in the car to keep it in 1960-like shape. We don’t know the car’s ownership history and the listing only goes as far as to say the owner has had it for a year and uses it for weekend drives (car shows?). The body, paint, and interior show nothing to be out of order.
There’s a 348 cubic inch V8 under the hood, the biggest powerplant offered by Chevy up until that time. And its not quite as clean as the rest of the car. It has an automatic transmission so you can focus on cruising rather than shifting gears. Perhaps due to the extreme heat of the Southwest desert, vintage air conditioning has been added and is not one of those ungainly boxes you see under many dashboards of older cars (those were good for busting your kneecaps on). The seller indicates the mileage to be 662858, but we suspect a decimal point has been left out. This is one of the nicer 1959-60 Chevies I’ve seen of late.
Hefty price but it’s a beautiful car with that great 348 engine.
Ebay ad says all original. Some parts say possible and other parts say skeptical. Would like to know what others think. All in all, pretty d*** nice.
It’s not all original if it’s running Vintage Air, an alternator and a modern twin-circuit master cylinder with Corvette booster. But all are welcome upgrades. I’m cool — and would be much cooler — with it.
Did they specifically use the Corvette booster to clear the wiper motor, or is there another reason?
The AM radio in dash may be original but the faceplate is from a 1959 model. If you know these cars as I do, having had a couple ’59s for many years, the ’59 face plate had a single bowtie in the bottom center, as seen in the dash picture. The ’60 model changed to two bowties on the left and right sides of the faceplate. This is still a very nice Impala and one I wouldn’t mind parking in my garage.
The paint is newer, but in the correct factory shade at least.
I think that’s a Vintage Air style AC system. Looks like a Sanden compressor. I first thought this might be Joe Martin’s car, but this one looks stock. I think it’s beautiful
I had 2 of these, 1was a daily driver with 348 and Powerglide and 1 that I raced with a built 348 and 3 speed manual. I don’t think either of them had the alternator but had generator and regulator.
Didn’t G M switch to alternators in 1963?
You’re on the money. 1963 was the year of the Delcotron.
Beautiful car! All 1960 makers were on the mark that year.
Nice car, it’s ashamed the convertible that rusts in piece in my woods didn’t make it. I always liked this copper color on these. 50k seems insane to some but it is a sign of the times. The cars of this era were works of art. They are also amazing to drive. I drove a 59 for years. I was never crazy about the 348 though. I got rid of a black 348 3x2s convertible with NO other accessories for a two tone red and black fully optioned convertible. I do still have a rather decent 60 delivery wagon. Love these cars. So one with deep pockets will no doubt enjoy this one.
I had a 60 with the 320 hp 348 option and that car would do 110 in second gear, ( 3 speed ) It took a bigger big block with more hp to beat that car. Trust me the right 348 runs!
I had a number of 59′ and 60s in the mid-70s. Could pick them up for $100 all day long. Now you can’t buy a rusty one in the dirt for $1,000. I do really love those cars!!!
I never did likem I still don’t likem an I neveret will likem so there Bob’s is yer uncle.
The copper paint is part of my family’s history.
After the ’56 Ford, dad bought a ’60 Chevy wagon in this great copper color.
Three seat rows, with the back one facing the rear of the car, and an electric tailgate window.
We learned to keep that closed while running down the road, as it would draft exhaust fumes into the back of the car. For some reason I liked the 1960 car’s tail lights and fins better than the ’59’s version. The copper was cool, my friends definitely caught notice. In ’64 it was replaced by an Impala sedan. Gone, but not forgotten!
If this car is as nice as it looks, I don’t think it is over priced. I watch these all the time and I have seen the asking prices almost twice as much as this one and don’t look any better. The color and engine would not be my first choice, but think about it, go find a better one with the color and engine you want,
Not a bubble top. This is a greenhouse.
Really? It doesn’t look like it has a post between side windows to me. Weren’t posts thicker? If it’s a post all bets are OFF. Forget it.
It doesn’t have a post. Both windows have chrome trim, so it does look a little thicker when both windows are up…
This one is very nice, love the color and not a speck of rust in the trunk. I always liked the 60 over the 59 but both are true pieces of rolling artwork .
I agree the two doors do comply with the requirements of rolling art.
That trunk is perfect. Even with the spare tire mounted in its place, anything placed on the rubber mat would have caused rubbing and chaffing of the paint that is non-existent.
There is one more quality to the 55-60 chev’s most people don’t know about. Under the dash they all have the factory attach structure to install the clutch assembly like it’s factory. And under the carpet on the tunnel is the form to cutout and install a floorshift so to change over actually doesn’t alter the ” stock” designation. I will not drive a 2 speed power glide. The 3 speed 320 hp 348 I had ran really strong. Amazing difference. And if I were you I would include this info as nother selling point. This car is worth 50k with ease.
In the mid-60s, dad bought a 4-door in this color. I think it had a 327, it rode and drove nicely, and the family put a lot of miles on it in the three or four years he had it.
This one appears high priced, but it is a very clean 2-door. There is no visible rust on the bottom, the engine compartment looks clean without being detailed, and the trunk appears never to have had a body stuffed into it.
Back in my HS days we could get 3 or 4 guys in the trunk of these old Impalas and sneak into the drive-in. Did that a lot back then, good times!
The 327 could not have been original. The 327 came out in 1962.
Thanks for the info. It seems like a thousand years ago and a million miles ago. Things are a little blurred by time and distance.
Amen
Probably was a 65 in Aztec bronze if it was a mid 60’s b body.
Very nice vehicle.
To me there was a scramble for continuity of year to year styling by Chevrolet and Ford beginning in 1958 and going through 1961. I owned a 57 Chevy. Nice. Dad owned a 58 Chevy. Nice ideas, but bloated, tank-looking. 59 owned by a brother. Nice styling ideas, but drastic change from 58, and 6 foot guy couldn’t sit up straight in 2 door hardtop. Same was true of the 60 model. 57 Ford was super styling, beautiful. 58 saw tacky flat taillights, and senseless side trim. 59 styling looked like a combination of styling ideas pulled back out of the trash can. 60 was just an idea that should have been left in the trash can, with a touch of early T-bird taillights. 61 Ford was mostly styling of early T-birds enlarged. Just my thoughts. In 58 I participated in the senior division of the Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild, where we designed and built a model car. I used the 57 Ford side styling, mildly sculpturing below it, added dual vertical headlights and a 4 bar grille. Got Honorable mention in a 3 state area and a check for $150. In 57, my senior year, I drew what I thought cars would look like in 20 years (1977) for one of my teachers, and drew the 77 Corvette almost line for line. Built a model in 59 for the Guild and used the hood design of the 59 Chevy to introduce bar headlights. I’m a super supporter of he styling of the 54-55 Kaiser Manhattan, even today. Have owned 4. They needed a V-8 and a 2 door hardtop to continue production.
Dad had a 59 in that color. It had a 283ci in it. I could put $5.00 gas in it and drive all day in it. Sad to lose track of that jewel.
Didn’t make the reserve, the auction ended with $36,100 being the top bid.
Can’t ever tell whether the seller found a home for it after the auction or not.