The Impala was promoted to series status in 1959 after being introduced as a high-end hardtop and convertible in the Bel Air. The 1959-60 Chevies marked an era of perhaps the “highest styled” of the cars, with batwings as fins in the back. And, in 1959, they wore “cat’s eye” taillights for the one-and-only time. This seller’s 1959 Impala Sport Coupe was restored perhaps 40-45 years ago and has its flaws. A later 350 cubic inch V8 is in place, rebuilt by the prior owner. Located in Vacaville, California, this vehicle is for sale here on eBay where brisk bidding has landed the current ante at $35,000.
These cars replaced the 1958 Chevys which were a rare one-year-only exercise. Apparently, when GM saw the “Forward Look” products that Chrysler unveiled in 1957, they decided to quickly regroup as the ‘58 models looked big and bulky by comparison. Whether you love the “batwing” Chevies or not, they were distinctive in their physical execution, with the 1960 editions being slightly more subdued in the grillwork and taillights (beginning a trend of triple lights for the Impala, twins for the Biscayne and Bel Air).
Nearly 165,000 Sport Coupes (sometimes referred to as Bubble Tops) were built in 1959, so the buying public must have liked what they saw. The biggest engine offered at the time displayed 348 cubic inches, while the 283 V8 was probably the most popular. An original engine is gone, but a newer 350 is in its place, which the seller says was redone by the car’s previous owner (as was the fuel system, so it must have been sitting). A Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission is along for the ride, presumably original.
We’re told the auto was restored several decades ago and the work was not exactly done professionally. So, there are some issues after many years, such as flaking paint, surface rust, and some missing chrome trim. Also, corrosion is trying to brew in the sheet metal in a few places. So, while the Chevy looks good at 20 feet, a purist will likely opt for a restoration. The interior looks okay, although the carpet is due for a refresh. Bidding has been active, and the cash exchange will likely go higher.
Bought it and now has buyers remorse after a deep check of it. This one seams to have some West coast salt issues but hey alot were crushed because they weren’t well liked….back then.
The 58 GM cars were so much better than the 59s. The massive over chromed beauties seemed to emphasize the OTT excessive luxury of the era. Chrysler line had a more substantial look. But this Batmobile wanna be is DOWN and OUT and definitely not in BEL AIR 😒.
Only thing uglier is a 59 Buick, the 60 was much the same, yet much improved. As mentioned above, the 58s were better. Personal opinion of course
I’ll take the 59 Buick over this Chevy any day. But fortunately we can STILL have our own opinions! Not sure how much longer 😕?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I’ve got a 59 Buick Convertible and a 59 Chevy 2 door Sedan. They’re never mistaken for anything else.
There’s another old saying, “Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly is clear to the bone” lol. But I also know, “to each his own” and everybody their own preferences, guess it would be kinda boring if we all liked the same thing
My folks bought a new 1958 Impala convertible in Sierra gold color with a white top. I was in heaven.
Love the ’58s……
The ’59s don’t do much for me, but decades ago I road in a maxed-out black ’58 Impala H/T with the turquoise interior highlights. To me, a true piece of sculpture.
Those big fins had a point of controversy that I remember an 8 year old boy listening the male adults back when theses cars were new. First of all the bump out on the front dor openings caused by the wrap around windshield was a point of complaints from the tall people as thet would bang their knees into front of the door opening at the edges of the big dash. Secondly there was controversey that the big tail fins would act like airpane wings at high speeds and lessen the traction to the rear wheels, any body remember hearing about these faults?
Guys would get these going fast in reverse and fly them over The Great Lakes shuttling passengers around on scenic flights. I remember. They would fly low past bridges and you could see the skeletons of sever old construction workers who were concreted into them back when they were building them.
Not sure about the fin thing, but any car with a wraparound windshield had a knee knocker
The 59 Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles were gorgeous. The others..
Meh.
That’s a lot of money for a car with a body that’s about to get really ugly…
Love these and I’m a Ford guy. The 58 was one of GM’s ugliest. Next to the Aztek, Avalanche, new Camaro et.at.
Aztec and Avalanche, now that’s lowering a 58 Chev into the dark depths of ugly lol. I’m a Ford guy to, but I do like looks of a 58 Buick, not the chrome crazy Limited, just the basic Century, and the Caballero wagon
Had a 60 olds bubble top basically the same under pinnings and some body parts best car ever nice ride & power ,more restrained look than the chev or Buick, but Buicks were nice too.I really wanted a 60 chev in my day and got the Olds best decision ever.
Don’t hit potholes or rough railroad tracks too hard. You’re likely to leave a portion of your car behind.
Staggering the interest in these cars now. I remember vividly when I pulled up in my somewhat aged two tone red and black convertible in the mid 80s, my hangout buddies first words were,” you paid money for that piece of $&!+…” They are great cars, and one I am glad I kept.
What’s It Worth? Whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
The 59/60 Chevrolets and 59/60 Buicks were a thousand times better looking than a ‘58 Chevy. The ‘58 looked like a bulging, overly chromed, lumpy tank compared to the streamlined and lower 59/60 cars…
And for good measure…
The 55/56 Buick was a huge improvement on the 55/56 Chevy’s.
Granted..
Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.
I was in high school 59 to 61 and didn’t give these cars much thought and paid little attention to them. That was then and this now and I love them and wish I could have one! This one listed looks reasonable, but I think you could probably pay 2 or 3 times as much for the one you want and would be ahead of the game. This car could soak up many like a super sponge.
Not a particularly beautiful design in my opinion, but is definitely was in the wonderful days of seeing a car and never mistaking its year.
True statement
There is a reason there are not many ’58’s around. They were not that popular and they rusted out, especially the headlights. Give me a ’59 any day. Even a ’59 Buick.
The 58’s were all about chrome and the 59’s were about shape. Take all the trim off a 58 and they are boxy and lose alot of their identity. Take the trim off a 59 Chevy and they still are unmistakable. I prefer my 59 Biscayne to the bel air and Impala because there is less trim to obscure the body.
I prefer the 60 Chevy over the 59 all day I never liked the 58, but the 59 Buick I like even better, they look menacing head on .
The ’60 full-sized Chevies didn’t begin the double/triple round taillight arrangements, as the ’58 Delray and Biscayne had doubles and the ’58 Impala had triples. They just took a year off for ’59.
I happen to like the ’59 and ’60 Chevy styling, with a slight preference for’60. I think the wild styling works best on the El Camino and Wagon models.
A ’59 just sold on BAT [Bring A Trailer] for $95 K. What a beautiful car.
Always had a thing for these car’s because My older brother drag raced one of his friends who had a 59 Chevy with our fathers 59 Chrysler Windsor and they had an accident while they were racing with Chryslers Finn pierced the Chevys quarter panel, weird but true. Always liked The Cat’s Eye taillights, over the top styling.