When a seller states that their pride and joy needs little but a new home, it is best to take such claims with a grain of salt. Such is the case with this 1959 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe. It is a seemingly solid classic featuring a refreshed interior and a rebuilt V8 under the hood. However, a close inspection reveals developing rust requiring attention before the situation gets out of hand. The car looks sound enough to provide warm weather fun, and tackling its cosmetic shortcomings is an excellent project for the new owner to confront next winter. The Impala is listed here on eBay in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bidding has raced past the reserve, sitting at $26,600 at the time of writing.
The 1959 model year marked the zenith of the American automotive fins movement, with many manufacturers seeming intent on producing larger and more elaborate examples. Chevrolet took a different approach with its Second Generation Impala. Its fins were more horizontal, looking more like a set of arched eyebrows than something that belonged on the latest combat aircraft. This Impala is the Sport Coupe variant, and the company scored a styling winner courtesy of its enormous glass area. The Impala is a big car, but the vast expanses of glass allow it to look surprisingly light and elegant. Its exterior wears Snowcrest White paint, with a contrasting Roman Red flash between the side body moldings. It makes a positive first impression, with a respectable shine and only minor paint defects. However, scrutinizing the supplied images reveals rust bubbles developing in many locations. The upper fins and rear wheel arch lips are the most obvious problem areas. Although the problems aren’t severe, timely repairs will prevent a relatively minor problem from deteriorating into a major issue. A few small trim pieces are missing, sending the new owner off on a shopping trip to locate replacements. The glass is crystal clear, and the Impala rests on later Rally wheels, which are the first sign that this Chev isn’t totally original.
Decoding the VIN confirms this Impala’s original owner ordered it with a V8 under the hood, but which one is anybody’s guess. The 348ci V8 was the range-topping engine in 1959, but the 283 was a more popular choice. The seller rendered the fact irrelevant by slotting in a 327ci V8 and a Turbo 350 automatic transmission. They don’t elaborate on the motor’s specifications beyond it featuring a Holley carburetor, an aluminum intake, and an electronic distributor. Potential buyers seeking a turnkey classic will welcome the news that the engine and transmission are freshly rebuilt and that the Impala runs and drives perfectly. It has no mechanical needs or shortcomings, meaning the buyer could fly in and build a relationship with their new toy as they drive it home.
This Impala’s exterior rust could be the car’s low point because the interior doesn’t seem to have any shortcomings. The seller confirms that it received a retrim a few years ago and still presents exceptionally well. The upholstered surfaces have no significant wear, and the dash is spotless. There are dirty marks on a couple of surfaces, but an interior deep clean would allow this aspect of the car to turn heads and draw positive comments. There are no visible aftermarket additions, and the dash houses the factory AM radio.
This 1959 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe is a stunning car with a few shortcomings. Only an in-person inspection will determine how extensive its rust is because no information is supplied regarding the floors or trunk pan. It is one of those classics that sits in the automotive twilight zone because determining a potential value with certainty is virtually impossible due to its modifications. However, returning it to a spotless and rust-free state should place it above the $50,000 mark. I hope someone takes it on because I would find the thought of it deteriorating further quite depressing. It will be fascinating to learn whether we have readers who might consider giving it a go.
You may wonder my views on certain matters,, but the ’59 Impala should speak volumes on that. It, in a possible knee jerk reaction to the ’57/’58 Ford, was simply the most beautiful design up until that time, and probably forever. The fins, the 1 year tail lights, the roof, it was all new, followed ironically by the less attractive 1960, I felt. While the 4 door, 6 cylinder was clearly the most popular, with almost half a million sold, the 2 door V8 Sport Coupe sold almost 150,000. The Sport Coupe listed for around $2700, options sent it way over $3grand, but for the most beautiful Chevy made, seemingly well worth it at the time. And no, “Toads”( in American Graffiti that was actually Steves car he let Toad drive)) was a ’58, but close. I think we’re all in the same gear on this one.
One of my favorites.
GM’s ’59s was a hasty reply to Virgil Exner’s good looking “Forward Look” 57s even though the ’55 Mercury 2 DR beat both by several years.
327 was introduced in 1962 through 1969, the 59 most likely had a 348 or 283
Fyi.
Better watch out girls, that 327 is getting “fresh”!!!!
Bubbling rust is only a minor repair if you sand, apply Bondo and smooth it over. Doing it right…takes a little more work than that.
Seeing bubbling rust is like seeing an iceberg at sea. It’s usually far more intrusive than it appears.
I wonder how many bodies, opps, I mean people could you fit in that trunk ? Asking for a friend.
Always wondered why the faked vent above the rear window – think how cool it would have been had it actually been functional.
My dad was a chemist who specialized in rust and corrosion. He always told me that no matter what else you did to Rusty equipment, first, you STOP the rust from continuing. He brought me some stuff from work that stopped the rust from continuing its slow plunder, and made it easily workable with standard body working tools of the 50’s-60’s. I used That stuff on every junker I brought home, before I did anything else.