The owner of this 1958 Chevrolet Impala has been collecting cars for more than 50 years. He purchased this car in 1974 and kept it on the road until 1985 when he placed it into storage. Advancing years now makes it difficult to perform the sorts of work that these cars require, so he has decided to part with this one. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Meridianville, Alabama, it is being sold with a notarized Bill of Sale. Spirited bidding had pushed the price of this Impala to $25,000 at the time of writing.
The owner of this Impala certainly seems to have his act together when it comes to caring for older vehicles. He says that when he first purchased the car back in 1974, he cleaned the floors and trunk, and then undercoated them to protect them from rust. Certainly, the trunk floor looks clean. The seller states that the car is 97% rust-free, but I am struggling to find any real issues. The body itself looks to be in good condition, and I suspect that once that layer of dust is removed, that the car will come up quite nicely with a polish. There is some corrosion visible on the bumpers, but these may clean-up okay without the need to resort to replating.
The majority of the interior looks quite nice. We can’t see the headliner, but the dash looks complete and in good condition. The door trims have some issues, and the carpet will require replacement, but otherwise, it doesn’t look like there will be a lot of work in bringing the interior back to life.
Under the hood is the 348ci Turbo Thrust V8, which is backed by an automatic transmission. The car also features power steering and treadle vac power brakes. The car hasn’t been started since it went into storage in 1985, so it is a bit of an unknown quantity. Hopefully, it won’t take too much work to breathe some life back into it.
Judging by the bidding so far, this 1958 Impala has generated some interest among the buying public. With good examples starting at around $45,000, this is understandable. The seller basically says that this car is no trailer queen, but it does need restoration. The fact that it seems like such a solid base for a restoration would explain, and probably justify, that interest.
What a fantastic car, I’ve always liked the styling on the 58’s over the 57’s if the car is as good it’s pic’s lead us to think I’d think a simpathetic restoration is in order starting with a good cleaning. I’d refresh the mechinics, get it running and fix the small cosmetic things as I enjoyed driving it
I usually agree with you Mark, but after the beauty that was the Tri Fives, the 58’s look dowdy to me.
That cool Grant we all have differant tastes, and I agree it is frumpier than the others. It also has the horizontal four lamp headlights in it which looks classy, and I like that changed those big fins out at the back.
I agree with both of you guys as my fav is, ???, either the 55 or 58. Still after being on the planet as long as I have I still can’t decide. The only thing I’m certain of is that “American Graffiti” made me fall in love with both of them. Oh yeah, and Suzanne Sommers ! Lol
Agreed, @canadainmarkseh The styling of the 58 was head and shoulders over the tri years. Very classy shape
A true barn find among all the crap flippers try to push off as “needs restoration.
Could not agree with you more!! That is a true find!!!
Too bad the seller didn’t at least push it out into the sunlight for photos. what I see looks OK, but I’d be hard-pressed to make a bid simply based on these photos. Not nearly enough to make a judgement on.
The ’58 Chevy was and will always be a timeless design. And this one looks like a gem of a find.
Now this IS a true find! Not like the flippers we see !
This is worth big bucks, first of the big block, triple pblaxk, this guy knew what to collect!
It would be even better if it _were_ triple black. I don’t care for the white top at all, but that would be easily remedied. I’m with Mark – this car needs only some mechanical reconditioning and a sympathetic cosmetic going over, It’s a great find.
Hi Scott, 1957 first with 348 and turbo hydro transmission . I had a red ‘57 convertible.
chevy never built a 1957 with a 348 they only can available in the 1958 models which would have been in the showrooms starting in sept of 1957 the new engine introduced in 1957 was the 283ci replacing the 1956 top engine of 265ci you will read some sites saying 348 came out in 1957 which it did but it was in sept of 1957 with the new 1958 model year cars models ran from sept to sept back than not jan to jan if you bought a new chevy off the show room floor in sept of 1957 it was a 1958 chevy and could have had a 348
While reading this I looked over to my bookcase where 3 tail light lenses reside, off my fathers 58 Impala.
yes 1958 impala had 3 lights on each side middle light was a back up light bel aires and below had only 2 lights each side
Didn’t the wedge have a crossed flags thing above the V emblem on the trunk?
It did in ’60 (and on the hood in ’59), but there wasn’t a specific callout for the 348 on the ’58.
In 58, both the 283 and 348, just got the “V” emblem. In 59-61, 283’s had a “V”, while 348’s had the V with a crossed flag emblem above it.
I think the tri- fives still rule. In ‘58, GM went to the bulbous look, with heavy chrome and funny looking grills.
I give the nod to the ’58, perhaps only because I don’t see so many of them. Tri-fives don’t even register on my radar, they’re so ubiquitous at shows and cruise-ins. They’re arguably prettier (especially the ’56), but I’m so tired of them, they’re nearly invisible to me.
like 1958 much better in high school traded my 1956 bel aire convert for a 1958 impala 2dr hardtop like 1958 much better being fare i have to say 1956 was a 6 cly powerglide and 1958 was a 348 3 speed stick big difference loved that 348
I have to agree with most of you ;
Yes,it should be rolled out,washed,and properly photographed.For heaven’s sake,I could duplicate dust and darkness in a few days,which would make a show car look like a “barnfind”.Enough already !
Yes,tri fives are still cool ,if a bad investment with no upside.The one year only 58 has closed the gap in value,and are both good looking and popular.Personally,the Nomad must be a 57,the prettiest Hardtop is the 56 followed by the 58,and the 55 makes the coolest drag car.I happen to have the trifecta of pickups ;55 /56/and 57 Cameos.
And finally,most of us seem to agree that this one represents good value,IF its as good as it looks.
chevy made 2 hardtops in 1956 the bel aire and also in that year made a two ten hardtop same as ford had a farelane hardtop plus a custom line hardtop
I love these, always have. My father told my that my grandfather bought one of these new, and in Ohio the fender tops were rusting within 2 years. He traded it in in 61 and bought a Pontiac. Beautiful car that I’d love to have !
The ’58s had one thing the tri-fives didn’t… that 348 gave me me goose bumps the first time I drove one and put my foot in it. Lots of great sucking and blowing noises and tires chirping.
I had a car just like that in highschool except it was all black with a factory 3 speed on the column car was fast traded my 1956 two tone blue bel aire convertible in for it 1956 was nice but 6 cyl powerglide
First of all, how can you say this seller (and I quote) “seems to have his act together when it comes to caring for older vehicles” when he put this car in to storage over 30 years ago and never started the motor again? And the white top on this makes it look ex-police!
Again… Take it out into the sunlight, clean it up, take lots of pics, including underside, etc. That’s how to show a car, especially if you want a good price for it. This seller is a little short of proper pride and long on greed.
Nice condition, reasonable price if it’s all there and without rust issue. 58 is the second ugliest Chevy, the first being 59. But for some who likes 58’s, it’s a win-win with the 348.. Just not something I desire. American Graffiti clone????
Ugliest Chevy is actually the full-size 64’s 👍🏽
Sorry, NO comparison to a Nice ’57 or 56 B.A. !!!!!!!!!!!
Personally ’58 was the true beginning of the muscle car era, power and torque all together!
Problem was the 348 had too much power for the 2 speed automatic tranny. My friend who owned one in the mid 1960’s went through a few transmissions. But that 348 and its torque invited driving it hard.
Sorry, No comparison to a Nice ’57 or ’56 B.A.!!!!!!!!
I traded my 1956 bel aire convertible 6 cyl powerglide in for a 1958 Impala 348 factory 3 on the tree best move I ever made that car was fast
A white over seafoam green shoebox would always make me happier, but this is a in different class. Its got the sinister caddy, hearse look. Great car! I’d be afraid of any kind of resto in this though, or any kind of fender bender. Rare bright work and components.
This is a car for the Steve Bolanders or Terry the Toads of the world.
I’ve always been more of a Bob Falfa or John Milner kind of guy.
Although; if Candy Clark came with it…
Ha! I could be Falfa or Steve!
Yeah but Steve had Laurie looking pretty cute in his letter sweater.
The valve covers look to me that this is a car that is worth restoration efforts. I am not a expert by a long way as i like Oldsmobile products. This is a nice place to start to have a really nice driving car.
To make it show car in my mind does not matter. Why build a trailer queen when the satisfaction is driving what you saved, and put back on the road.
I’ve loved the ’58 Impala ever since American Graffiti! Especially since it was made only for one year! What a find!
First classic I bought at 17. Was 58 delray business man coupe. Towed it home no brakes bouncing off the back of my buddy’s truck with a series of rimless tires tied to it. Those were the days. Bought it for a 150 dollars, long ways from the 25 plus gs for this one.
Did you ever get it running? Yeah Chevy’s are crazy with their prices!
My buddy had a ’58 del ray 6 banger. We’d go up town to the gas station, get a couple gallons of used oil and two bucks of gas and a case of beer, we were good for the night.
58’S ARE GREAT. I have 3, 58 IMPALA, 58 BROOKWOOD, and one you will have a hard time finding, only 14,000 or so made, 1958 YEOMAN. They are big inside, room to stretch out. Two of these are Cal. cars, ya know, one pc bumpers front and rear. With the correct tags. NO not for sale. They may never be with the 55,56,57, well they are on their own page of history. The party begins with them. 58 Chev was first for lots of new things. If you haven’t got one, get one, the price keeps going up. LONG LIVE THE 58 CHEV.
When I looked at the 348, I was ready to get it. I had a 61 impala Hardtop I had just traded a 60 four door hardtop Impala,my first car. I was fifteen and a half.Dad would have said no.However,at 17 Dad through a personal deal we traded for a 66 Chevy SS 396. I told people that I got 18 mph 6in town and 12 on the road.I still remember the 58 .
love 348s had a 1958 Impala hardtop in high school 348 3 speed on the tree moved it to the floor with a foxcraft kit loved that car