The Impala was born in 1958 as an upscale version of the Bel Air, only offered as a 2-door hardtop or convertible. It was successful enough to be promoted to series status the following year and all body styles then became available. This 1959 Sport Coupe is a “bubble top” (although the term wasn’t coined until 1962). It’s an original car, including the engine, transmission, and paint, though the interior and the gas tank are new. Located near Chandler, Arizona, the classic wears blue Florida license plates which apply to vehicles over 30 years of age. Another great tip brought to us by Pat L., this beautiful survivor is available here on craigslist for $74,995.
Chevrolet redesigned its cars for the second year in a row in 1959, a likely response to Chrysler’s “Forward Look” (aka space age) automobiles of 1957-59. Tailfins (“batwings”) returned after a one-year absence but were horizontal rather than vertical. The shape of the cars was smoother and leaner compared to the somewhat bloated look of the ‘58s. 1959 was a good year for Chevrolet after the industry-wide recession of ’58. Out of nearly 1.5 million cars built in 1959, 165,000 of them were Sport Coupes (both Impala and Bel Air as Chevy didn’t separate deeper than body style at the time).
This Impala may be as close to an original as you’ll find for a 63-year-old vehicle. The Snowcrest White over Crown Sapphire paint is said to be from the factory and is showing a requisite amount of patina, perhaps from either the Florida or Arizona sun. No mention is made of any rust and the photos provided don’t reflect any. The floors have never been touched other than an application of red oxide to help protect them further. If you open the trunk lid, the mat and corkboard cover are from 1959 as is the well-worn spare tire. but we wonder why the paint in the trunk is white rather than the aqua on the bottom half of the car.
At 54,000 miles, the 283 cubic-inch V8 and 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission are numbers matching and (we think) never taken apart. The seller has given the Impala a tune-up, coolant flush, and transmission service as well as replacing the motor mounts for the 283. The only other piece of hardware under the hood that’s said not to be factory is the master brake cylinder. We’re told that even the radio and heater are in perfect working order. This may be one of the nicest unrestored “Batmobile” Chevies still around!
Bodacious and beautiful. Forget all that “original” garbage and repaint the white.
The first Chevy that heard referred to as a bubbletop was a 61 model in both Impalas and Belairs. In 62 the Impalas went to the coupe style that ran through 63. This is a beautiful car BTW. My brother had one white with red interior.
$75,000? C’mon, get real!
Beautiful piece of automotive engineering. I had a black one with Bl/Red interior don’t recall engine and this one is real head turner. I’m not sure if it would bring that price tag even original paint.since interior was replaced I would have to do factory color repaint.if mileage is correct as stated I’d be skeptical with as noted a worn spare tire..I have a friend in Tennessee that has original 59 3 speed on tree with 348 Tennessee State Trouper car totally original. I’ve been told if you transport the 59 in a boxed truck you have to take chrome off on fins to get it in. Just food for thought.
At that price, take it to Mecum !!!
WOW. I love it just as it is. $75K is a little stiff but a seller might as well start out high. Who knows, he might find someone who loves it as much as me but has lots of money, garage space and an understanding wife.
Hey you forgot the 4 door hardtop with the wrap around back window. You said it only came in a 2 door hardtop and a convertible.
This is flim flam man pricing!
I saw this on Saturday at Goodguys and talked with the owner for a few minutes on it. It’s a very nice car and I would leave it with the original patina personally and drive the hell out of it and enjoy it. Looks even better in person than the pictures.
In 1968, at 16 years old, I bought a 1959 Impala 2 door. My friends mother worked at the Chevrolet dealer and bought this car to use until her new ordered car came in. My friend had totaled his mom’s car. When I saw it, it was love at first sight! Black with red interior, 348 cubic inch engine, four barrel carburetor, dual exhaust. She promised to hold it until I could pay her $300. Worked all summer to earn it! Wish I had it now.
Most of us could work all summer now and not get close to earning $75K for a similar car that is now 55 years older, in worse condition and drives like a dream, I mean truck.
Surprising how the values of the ’59 Impala’s have climbed, convertible’s have been strong, a hot market right now for very nice ones, good time to sell, not to buy. The price spike for these will drop, just have to wait , poor paint and engine compartment is not a plus for this one, we will see what the market says.
At $79K for this one I’ll pass, I can buy an almost new truck for less than that.
I knew a guy that had a similar car in this same color. He was s fanatic about the car.
He took it to a car show up in central California and on the way back it got a little paint damage to the rocker panel.
he stripped the car back down to bare metal to do it all again.
I thought this might be the same car, but the Florida plates threw me.