The 1958 Chevies were nothing like their predecessors. They were longer, wider, lower, and heavier. And would prove to be a one-year-only design as General Motors rapidly tried to play catch-up to the futuristic “Forward Look” products that Chrysler had debuted in 1957. Initially, as a sub-series to the Bel Air, the Impala was all-new for 1958 and would be popular enough to hang around to as recently as 2020. This coupe is an ambitious project that someone has already started on, but not recently. Needing a lot of work (and a sizeable bankbook), this Chevy is in Endeavor, Wisconsin, and available here on eBay. The opening bid of $7,500 has yet to be made and the Buy It Now price is only $500 above that. Thanks again, Larry D, for your sleuthing in finding cars like this!

As part of a 50^th-year celebration for General Motors, Chevrolet added the Impala as its top-of-the-line automobile. It was only offered as a hardtop coupe and convertible in 1958 but covered all the body styles after becoming a series of its own in 1959. From the windshield pillar rearward the ‘58 Impala differed structurally from the lower-priced Chevrolet models. Hardtops had a slightly shorter greenhouse and longer rear deck. The wheelbase of the Impala was longer than the others although the overall length was the same. The Impala was a hit, representing 15% of total Chevy car production, involving 56,000 convertibles and more than 125,000 coupes, even in a year marked by an economic recession.

With a primer on most of the external body surfaces, this Impala was once Rio Red in color with a matching interior. But the driver’s side door is blue as is the steering wheel, no doubt lifted from another car. We’re told the Chevy has been in storage for at least 20 years, and some of that must have been outside as there is a generous collection of old leaves in the passenger compartment. There is rust in the driver’s side quarter panel (at a minimum) and the trunk floor is of the see-through variety. All the chrome pieces have been removed and are scattered about for display. Some are good, some are not and we don’t know if all of it’s there.

Under the hood, there appears to be a 283 cubic inch V8 paired with a Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission. Neither have likely been functional in some time. The car came equipped with power steering and brakes, but the booster for the latter is missing. This Chevy has a posi-traction rear end, but it came from a 1963 Impala. There are lots of hours and dollars awaiting the buyer who takes on this project, but when finished it could fetch $50,000 (according to Hagerty).