First Year Project: 1958 Chevrolet Impala

It’s always risky for an automaker to modify a body shape that’s proven highly successful, especially when that lineup was the tri-five Chevrolets that flew off dealer lots between 1955 and 1957.  Chevy knew it had big shoes to fill, but the ’58 models were well thought out and solid successors to the now-iconic mid-fifties offerings.  The new Delray replaced the 150 as the entry-level car, and the Biscayne moniker took over the 210’s duties.  The Bel Air retained its place in the hierarchy, but in 1958 a new flagship was introduced that would last 10 generations: the Impala.  This first-year example here on Facebook Marketplace in Los Angeles is a project, and an expensive one, with the seller asking $50,000.

The seller calls his Impala a barn find, but it’s now sitting in a garage, and the photos show only the right side.  The ’58 has a distinctive body style that lasted only one year before the car got a redesign, making it easy to identify.  The car was longer, wider, and lower than Chevrolets of the past, and it was also the first year that quad headlights were legalized nationwide.  The inaugural Impala proudly displayed 4 up front, while some competitors stuck with the traditional 2.  The seller describes the exterior as straight but notes no other details.  However, the finish shows visible wear and a few scratches, with some rust around the rear window, so the sheet metal will need a few repairs before it’s ready for a respray.

In addition to the inline-6, the first-year Impala offered two different-size V8 engines, including a 283 and a 348.  The 327 didn’t debut in the Chevy lineup until 1962, and the owner reports that’s what’s under the hood here, so unfortunately, this one isn’t a numbers-matching vehicle.  There is also no confirmation that it’s currently running, and no close-up photo of the bay, so this car may also need mechanical work before it’s ready to get back on the road.  The transmission is listed as a Powerglide, which was an option in 1958, but there’s no word on whether it’s the original component.

We only get a couple of interior shots, and while it appears mostly intact, the front seat needs fresh upholstery.  The dash and instruments look decent cosmetically, but it’s unclear whether they still function, and the owner provides no clues about the condition of the frame below.  This 1958 Impala seems like a good restoration candidate overall, but I’m not sure it’s worth anywhere near the $50k ask.  How much would you be willing to spend here?