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Primered Project: 1958 Chevrolet Impala

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 50th-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).

Comments

  1. Avatar Rw

    Toad is that you in that beautiful car?

    Like 5
  2. Avatar Robert White

    This is a $4k car not an $8k car.

    Judging by the primer job & 60s steering wheel I’d figure the seller is imbibing pretty good weed if he thinks $8k is right for a roller of rust & parts in need of a new home where space it at a premium these days not to mention overhaul costs of unrestored old 50s cars that sat in a barn for decades.

    It’s a $4k car, Toad old boy.

    Bob

    Like 9
    • Avatar Jim in FL Member

      Well, Robert White, guess the jokes on you. Sold for $8k.
      BTW, I agree with your comment, but I also know that….there’s a sucker born every minute!

      Like 1
      • Avatar Jon

        In the car business it’s “an ass for every seat” …

        Like 0
  3. Avatar bobhess Member

    8K might work if it had a 348 dual carb engine and a four on the floor but it doesn’t come close with the small engine and automatic. Bob’s got it right.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Nelson Helmutt

      Already sold full Price .

      Like 2
  4. Avatar James Martin

    Well atleast it isn’t 20000. Which seems to be the going rate these days.

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Greg

    Looks as if it was pulled out of the back 40, then slapped a hefty price tag on it, just can’t see that, at the most 2000

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Gary

    PT Barnum said there was a sucker born every day.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Naptown Mark

    These were beautiful pieces of engineering, art and optimism.

    This one, well, isn’t.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Al

      Hey, that’s unfair.
      I really liked the twin air-scoops at the front and I noticed the flow through ventilation ports at the back.
      3 ports on each side of the rear, but I’m confused, I thought Pontiac bragged about Flow-Through ventilation.
      So did this have Pontiac’s Wide-Tracking too?

      Like 5
  8. Avatar Daniel Skopp

    I had a white 1958 Impala SS when I was in high school 1961-1965. Nobody could touch my 348 with three deuces! This is not an 8k car!

    Like 0

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