General Motors celebrated its 50th year in the car business in 1958. Each division introduced a special model and – in Chevrolet’s case it was the Impala. Things began with a Bel Air front clip, but from there back the styling and sheet metal were different. The seller’s 1958 Impala is the desirable Sport Coupe. Despite building more than 125,000 of them, not many are probably left today. This one will need loads of work and has a later 454 cubic inch V8 that doesn’t run. From Olympia, Washington, this project is available here on eBay where the current bid is $6,150 (reserve unmet).
It wasn’t until 1959 that the Impala became a series of its own. But in 1958, it was an extension of the Bel Air and was only offered as a 2-door coupe or convertible. The Impala’s wheelbase was longer, yet the overall length of the car was unchanged. The coupes had a special roofline and a longer trunk lid. The trim inside and out was a step up from the rest of Chevy’s products.
The ‘58s turned out to be one-year wonders. Longer, lower, wider, and heavier than the ‘57s, the design was abandoned in 1959 with an overhaul along the lines of Chrysler’s “Forward Look” cars from 1957 (cue the “batwings”). This Impala once employed either a 283 or 348 cubic inch V8, but that has been replaced with a 454 big block from 1991. The seller says this engine likely had only 32,000 miles when it was installed, but who knows when that was.
We’re told this Chevy has been stored indoors for 28 years. The car was in California at one time and ended up in Oregon as that’s what’s shown on the title. While the car looks pretty rough, we’re told rust has been held at bay for the most part. Most of the exterior trim has survived and must be inside the Impala. Given the color inside the trunk, we guess this car was once white (like the one in American Graffiti). This could a really impressive Chevy once restored.
Okay, Chevy had the Impala, Buick the Limited, Caddy the ElDorado brougham I guess although that was first made as a 57. Looks like the Bonnie shared Impala sheetmetal so I guess that is their entry. What was Oldsmobile?
They still had only their 98 as the flagship.
No similarity at all between Bonneville and impala except roof windows
No similarity at all between Bonneville and impala except roof windows
We had a ’58 Impala convertible, Sierra Gold color, beautiful car. Don’t know why the folks traded it for a ’60 Ford. Best of the Impalas imo.
Unless it was a ’60 Ford Starliner
I agree on the Starliner. Ours was a 4 door Galaxie.
The floors and frame are good. The seller goes out of his way to photograph the minor rust, so that shows he’s honest. It’s a fair bit away from running, but if you’re willing to go with later model engine/transmission you’ll speed up that aspect, and who knows, maybe the 454 is OK. The interior is on it’s way to greatness, the major thing there is the dash/wiring. So it’s down to body and paint, then off to the car shows. It’s not bent up, the glass is OK, and 0000 steel wool will do wonders for the chrome. The current bid would be great, but let’s see where the bidding goes.
Has anyone ever seen the original continuation from the ‘58 design that was ditched for the batwing theme? Google of course is of no help.
There are 4 photos of it on https://www.deansgarage.com/how-gms-radical-1959-chevrolet-came-to-be-2/ Not a good looker…
try this from Dean’s Garage: ttps://www.deansgarage.com/how-gms-radical-1959-chevrolet-came-to-be-2/ I have seen stories elsewhere with various explanations of why them 58s went for one model year. However, this is about the best photographic evidence I’ve seen. Still, if there was a 59 planned that would be a facelifted 58 as would be the industry practice at the time there should be something more advanced than these raw clay models.
My sisters first car was a white ’58 2 door hardtop with a 6 barrel 348. I don’t know which HP hers was, but I don’t think that it was the “Interceptor” motor because I don’t remember it having solid lifter clatter. It also had a “Turbo-Glide gearbox that even at 13 years old I had decided that it was the worst transmission made. It was a pretty car though. This one could be a nice car if someone was inclined to put the time and money that it would require into it.
+ Great car. This will make a nice car. For some to have a garage to work on this car year round–in one year. They could do alot to this car themself. Its in alot better shape then alot. I, like to have a shot at it. To bad it on the west coast. Two friends of mine had these. One was dark green and one was gold. Very nice cars. The green one had a 348 and ran really good. I don,t know what the gold one had. I,d sure would like to have this to work on.I hope someone with paitence and money will make it nice again.