This 1959 Chevrolet Impala is either incredibly cool or a lot of work, and the truth likely lies somewhere in between. Featuring a ton of custom bodywork – the most significant addition of which is the integration of a four-door Impala’s roof into the coupe body and a truck-style bed – the Impala today is offered as a project with the seller claiming there’s no rot-through anywhere on the body, just a liberal helping of surface-level corrosion. The car is offered here on eBay on behalf of the owner who doesn’t use eBay, and bidding has reached $4,050 with the reserve unmet.
Truth be told, I’m not sure how you assign a value to something like this. It is undoubtedly cool, and an artifact from an era of hot-rodders who did amazing things with limited tools and a lot of skill. Just having the imagination to wonder what your project Impala will look like with a sedan hardtop grafted on is the kind of creativity we don’t see anymore. Frankly, the “documentary” television we see of customization shops personalizing their rides may as well be boiled down to a collection of vehicles with wheels, paint, and suspension. Nothing these so-called builders are creating comes close to this.
That’s not to say this Impala isn’t fraught with the issues associated with an amateur restoration. I’m sure it is. But the original creator wasn’t worried about flipping this thing for a profit – he wanted to build a car to the best of his own abilities, with his vision filling in the gaps where talent ran out. While I’m not saying I would build a car like this, my hat is still off the owner that decided to bring his vision to life. The listing says the Impala runs and drives well, sporting a replacement engine and transmission of unknown origin. Whether it’s just a used replacement mill or a new crate engine isn’t disclosed.
The nose has also been modified, and this is probably my biggest gripe with the final product. That’s not a ’59 Impala snout, which is much better looking than whatever’s been installed. Also barely mentioned in the ad is the fact that the Impala has an Impala-style bed with what looks like a fuel cell in the back. There’s a lot to unpack here, but it seems like there’s enough potential to work with that there’s a killer rat rod lurking underneath all that patina. Fix the paint, replace the nose with a standard Impala front end, add some side pipes, and drive the doors off of it.
Here come the “whatcha’ smokin’ jokes. I can appreciate most home builts, who am I to judge? This, however, isn’t even cool. I’m not sure what it is. I’ve seen junkyard cutting torch vehicles that looked better. It’s got bidders, so go figure.
“There’s an *ss for every seat!”
When I last saw that car in Forney Texas it had a 348 in it
Personally, I feel the vision faltered after the top completion. (IMO) The front and rear don’t seem to exude the artistry displayed in bringing the top/door/window configuration together. They are crude by comparison and execution. The fuel cell renders the “pickup” bed practically unusable, and why leave the column shift in place, when it is replaced by a floor unit? Could it be possible that someone less talented ended up completing someone else’s unfinished project?
I largely agree w/ the above, but at the same time I’m surprised by how much I don’t hate it.
I’m, uh, hmmm, gee…
Gee, it’s too bad that Chevy never produced a pickup truck/59 Chevy mashup.
Oh wait…
Why not just get a ’59 El Camino? It looks a whole lot better than this thing.
Granted, I’m just looking on my phone… but I don’t kniw, it’s kinda fun. Are those Cadillac lights and panels out back? If it’s as rust free as implied, and the drive train is as implied…. yeah kinda fun. Seems like the front end is kind of leaning towards a 61 and up Impala, and with some grille wor8, might be able to save that. Hope buyer and seller end up happy.
Didn’t Jonny Cash write a song about stealing parts from the assembly line to make his own car. Perhaps the creator of this car was a fan. The greenhouse is clearly the focal point of the project. Maybe someone has the artistic talent to carry the build to the front and rear and tie it all together.
Finally someone mentioned the greenhouse but no one yet mentioned the lack of air con.
Speaking of the greenhouse, ingress and egress will induce many a head banging until one gets used to the intruding backlight.
I suppose someone can re-work this a bit to make it more visually attractive, so not all is lost. I do like the orange-white creamsicle look.
This home-built mess is like going around the block to cross the street…..Chevy already did an El Camino in `59, and here someone tried to re-invent it? A waste of time and an Impala Sports sedan.
El Weirdo…
I absolutely love that greenhouse design and it’s pretty much exactly how I envisioned could’ve been done to the ’59 El Catalina featured in July last year if the builder didn’t shorten it. Sort of like an extended cab Elky solution. I see no reason to alter the original design of a ’59 Pala though…
I’m with you, Local_sheriff! I usually hate the flat top design of General Motors cars of the late 50s early 60s, but this one grabbed my attention. Has a much sleeker look. Kind of the car racing in motion….. while standing still.
I wish rear photos were included. Maybe they are on eBay, but not here. If it’s a ’59 Impala, where are the horizontal fins???
I personally like this, but, I also agree, fix the front end.
The front end needs to be made right. Car has a strange attraction, but that face is butt ugly…
You know, I’m with you on your thoughts. Is it my fondest wish to own this? No. The only thing that bothers me is the nose. I think the car itself (with the right nose on it) could be finished and look ok. Might even have a unique cool factor to it.
“Honey, I got a case of beer and fresh gas for my torches and I’m headin for the garage…”
ruxvette, I’m thinking there was more than a case involved with this one! Hideous, and I’m usually open to home builds.
You forgot the pile of funny cigarettes already in the garage. A CASE of beer even good stuff is not enough to pull this off.
These builds remind me of everything that’s great about humans – and everything that’s terrible. Kudos to the original artist for pursuing his vision and taking action. It takes courage to do that.
On the other hand he (it had to be a guy who did this) managed to f- up nearly everything that is distinctive about a ’59 Impala, from the hood scoops to the tailfins. It’s possible his wife/girlfriend/significant other suggested the always tasteful purple diamond tufted seat inserts. I’m confident there’s plenty of blame to spread around on this one.
You’re correct, the whole fam damnily!
(The “no personal attacks” rule prevents me from further comment…)
Have pictures of a red 59 Impala that was at a car show in Torrance, Calif. It was a very well done car. The bed had a 59 Chev trunk lid as a cover. Hinged. It was beyond professional.
I like the greenhouse (watch your head!), but none of the rest of it. Yuck.
This thing looks great from the side.
The flat top is an original addition and I would keep it as is except for the front and back end…so fugly! How about adding a “U” shaped sofa in the bed out of velour.
the bed area is so-so, might be salvageable.
front clip sucks bigtime. replace it with a regular 59 clip.
the cab top is ingenious, love it!
dont believe ive ever seen a shorty with properly proportioned doors
Obviously you guys haven’t picked up any 1950’s and early 60’s custom car rags. The rage was taking what Detroit sold you and made it your own. Everyone was customizing everything. Too funny. I have a vintage model collection and the cars were heavily customized by a crafty and skilled builder much like this car.
This is a 59 Chevy. The builder in the true custom spirit made it authentic and his own. This obviously not supposed to look like every other 59. Quit crying. There are still many others. I think the the guy was headed in the right direction. It is cool in it’s own way. Bravo.
Interesting you say that. Since the 60’s, I have thought that the design team at AMC was building exactly that … factory LSD-inspired customs, that looked like nothing else and often had that cobbed-together look. From the Metro to the Gremlin and Pacer and Matador …. always something decidedly NOT typical.
Personally, I rank the 59 Chevy as one of their best-ever body designs, and to mess with something really good, and expect even better results, a customizer better have Joe DoMaggio level credentials with a torch, hammer, and dolly. This builder only achieved “different” level results. To lose the 59 fins …. just a bad idea. They carry the roof theme flawlessly. The nose ? I think it left a bit of room for alteration to look as crisp as the roof and fins. But he got another “fail”. Time for anothe swing for the fence to get the rest of the car looking like that roof.
I think I would have scooted that C-pillar back just a skosche for both looks and head clearance. The colors and whitewalls go a long way to make that side view look great.
When i first saw the pics i thought, “an ElCamino with a flat top “roof…but then it hit me, it ‘s the remains of a funeral home flower car.The front is probably the result of someone picking up the remains years ago and deciding to build there own custom. Back in the custom era you got awarded points for each mod you had inflicted on your car,so there were some show winners that were seriously ugly…but that wasn’t the point,the idea was to do as many things as possible to the bodywork to get points not win a beauty contest.
I’m curious if this was a show car at one time or just an unfinished project. Inquiring minds want to know!
He tried to do waaay too much here.
Not sure if can be “saved”.
So much potential! I love it.
Four words. (way ull hay ull)
Regardless of time and money spent the owner should be more than happy that the bidding is over four grand. I personally do not like any part of it but have to give him credit for attempting such a project.
I agree with tort but I would not go much higher on price. And those who suggested and accurate front end for the car are right, it would actually improve its looks and lines. And strictly as a matter of taste I would paint it burgundy with military tan or Chevrolet Lucerne Blue all the way and let the custom speak for itself rather than be distracted by color. It’s interesting and someone had some talent.
I really don’t think that the same person added the grill, headlamps, and tailpannel that built the rest of the car, no imagination.
With some modifications it could still be a sharp machine.
I can’t see enough of that ’52-’54 Ford sedan next to tell the exact year, but someone needs to tell it ” Quick, beat it, you could be next.”
I think it’s safe. Nothing you can do to a 52-54 Ford to make it any uglier. The precursor to the Taurus blobs.
NO, NO, NO. There aren’t enough letters in the word ‘no’ to express the no-ness of my opinion. The first thing I looked for were the rear fins that embody the ’59 Chevy. Without those it’s just another lump of steel. The front of the car baffles me. Looks like spare stuff slapped on that was laying about. I seriously think this thing was wrecked in a chain reaction accident and the rear end and front were damaged and too expensive to repair to original so owner decided to get out the torch and cut off the damage and … do something with what was left. I would carefully check the structural integrity of the frame for bends, cracks, and overall ability to carry the weight of the car and any cargo that might fit into the ‘bed’ of this ‘pickup’.
I’m intrigued by the fact that it has 2 transmissions! One column shifted and the other floor shifted. I’ll bet it goes “twice” as fast!
Brings new meaning to “double clutching”.
‘last registered in 1969’ sez it all, but I like it (c’mon now, squint yer eyes).
Closed (not sold) @ $5K.
Yes, find a way (Y he’s sellin?) 2 get the cell out of the bed & return the nose to the snoz-of-the decade !
Looks to me like someone with no experience had to much time on their hands.ruined a beautiful car.
I love what was done with the cabin area. The rear ok also,the front is a total wipe out. Having said that I think there is something appealing about the overall design. A+ for trying.
Ended with Reserve Not Met at $5,005.
Looks like the same person who designed the Powell Sports wagon designed the front and rear of this …. should have left the front and rear alone and just did the roof , I think it would be world’s ahead !
Been for sale in the Dallas area for some time….not for every body but I guess the building of it might have been because of roof damage – it’s what happened to a lot of cars. No sale at I think $5500….should have cut the losses and let it go !
I’m a Ford guy, but when I was a kid, we had a friend who had and incredible red over red Chevy Impala Convertible, and I thought with those bat wing fins, and it’s huge tail lights, it was one of the most beautiful thing this then 9 year old had ever seen. 61 years later, I still think so, and when I read the title on this listing,I was excited…then I looked at the listing, and even went to the EBay listing to look at more pics. OMG, how sad. Where was that incredible back end, of the even impressive front end? Can you really even get into it and not take your head off or screw up you back and neck for a month? No! NO! HELL NO, IMHO,
I’m sorry, guys, say what you want about my taste but I really like it.
My buck fifty, .the PURPLE diamond tuck and roll gives you a clue where this builder (if he did that) had his head.
That said, even though I am an oem kinda o guy, if you had the design and imagination skills necessary, as well as welding and finish skills and money, you could have some fun………..
But that’s because I’m an optimist by nature…:)
Wellll – – this one really attracted a variety of interest and mix of comments – – – Lotsa fun reading the posts.
I’m not a body man, but why in the world is there a fuel cell in the bed of the truck instead of simply using a gas tank that would have come with the impala? Or a gas tank off a pickup truck. Such a waste of space, IMO. Otherwise with a decent pain job this doesn’t look that bad.
Kenn,
Like I said in my first comment, I think this car was wrecked and they had to work w/ what was left which wasn’t the front end, the back end and the gas tank.
Back end looks more like Pontiac than Chev…..? Front end looks like a bit of a hatchet job. Love the roof.
Yes it’s ugly. But look at it again…….you won’t go blind.
The quarter panels are 59 Oldsmobile. The 59 Olds had a full stainless panel across the back (above the bumper). This guy deleted that trim and crudely tried to match the taillight to the one on the Olds fin. For some strange reason the front end looks like a 65 Impala (with some imagination) to me. At the very least it looks like a 65 Impala hood/header panel matchup. The 65 Impala grill is narrowed and the headlight doors/surrounds are filled in and painted. Maybe it should be an Olds Camino?
Really uninspired work front and rear. Almost marine-like boat fabrication for the grille/hood and tailgate/bed. Take the wonderfully-period seats and chrome reverse wheels and throw them on a real 1959 El Camino to dress it up, you’d be much better off. The execution of this custom has held up well, but it answers a question nobody was asking then, and now.
At first i thought “why?” and “how?” and instantly got flashback images in my mind of of the front end design of the ´80´s Nissan Hardbody pickup (or a Terrano SUV of the same basic design) in my mind – could it be some misguided and wrecked ´60´s project restarted in the ´80´s with bits and pieces of scrap sheet metal sourced from such as a means to an end, I mean a nose…?
But no, it seems more likely that the nose job was made in the early sixties to resemble the more notable custom show car Fantabula by Darryl Starbird, a totally reworked 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne with a very similar albeit fully developed front design, slightly subdued rear fenders and a twin-canopy-esque style bubble top featured on the cover of the January 1963 issue of Car Craft magazine. Maybe the original builder of this strange pickup sought after creating something like that but with a cargo bay.
I found a fairly recent article on bubble top customs featuring the Fantabula in the swedish Gasoline magazine issue no. 10/2018 laying around, but there´s of course a bunch of pics and info on that famous custom floating around the web if You like to compare them Yourself.
Bidding ended at $5,005 with the reserve no met.
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should
If you can’t love the car you found, go find a car you love.
Wiser words were never said, IMO. I know SO MANY car guys that just own and get into whatever kind of car dropped in their lap. I find this odd. I am very passionate about the cars I own and very specific in exactly what they are. No “kinda close” car will do.
He should have just lengthened the chassis by the length of the rear glass, which would be interesting for an x-chassis, but that’s the cure. All El Camino except for the rear glass and deck.I think the body sheet metal lines could be blended in just fine. Heck, maybe Chevy should have offered it, then they could have even lost more money on a really rare option.
So many guys/gals in customizing try to make pickups outa cars/wagons.
So – – bring back the El Camino and GMC Caballero – – if The General can do it with the Camaro surely they can do the above – – and probably market more units than the SSR – – that being said maybe add the retractable top as an optional vehicle with a higher price tag than a base model – – – Hmmm – – going to click on my design program and see what I can create – –
Nuff Said FOr Now !