Apart from enormous fins, few options better define a classic from the late 1950s like a Continental kit. Hidden in this garage is a 1958 Chevrolet Impala that not only carries that feature but houses a freshly rebuilt V8 under the hood. Its overall condition is excellent, making it a turnkey proposition for a new owner. The seller has listed the Impala here on eBay in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Spirited bidding has pushed the price to $26,100, although that falls short of the reserve. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this beauty.
Chevrolet introduced the First Generation Impala in 1958 as the range-topping model within the Bel Air stable. While other manufacturers grappled with towering fins, this company elected a more conservative approach that aged well in subsequent decades. There’s no mistaking it as a car from the 1950s, but the styling isn’t as in-your-face as vehicles from companies like Chrysler and Cadillac. This car features two-tone paint in Blue and White with a shine deep enough to walk into. It looks flawless, and the laser-straight panels help to reinforce the positive first impression. There are no dings or dents and no evidence of rust. The chrome trim looks excellent, as does the glass. The seller recently stripped and powdercoated the wheels, adding wide whitewall tires and spinner hubcaps for a classy finishing touch. The overall condition means this Impala should turn heads wherever it goes.
Although buyers could order a new 1958 Impala with a six under the hood, most trod the V8 path. That is the case with this classic. Its original owner equipped it with a 348ci V8, a two-speed Powerglide transmission, and power steering. With 250hp available under the driver’s right foot, the Impala could hold its own at a “Traffic Light Grand Prix.” A ¼-mile ET of 17.3 seconds was considered respectable, as was a top speed of 114mph. It is unclear whether this classic is numbers-matching, but the mechanical news appears nothing but positive. The seller recently treated the 348 to a rebuild, and the addition of an upgraded intake and carburetor suggests they may have unlocked a few additional ponies. They also replaced the shocks, front-end bushings, fuel tank, and brakes. This beauty runs and drives well, with no mechanical faults or needs.
Manufacturers during the 1950s placed some effort into providing vehicle occupants with what could be termed a “special” motoring experience. Chevrolet was no exception, equipping this Impala with tri-tone cloth and vinyl upholstery. Throw in acres of brushed aluminum, a clock, and a radio, and any owner would drive an Impala with their head held high. The seller indicates this Impala’s interior is original. If that’s the case, its condition is impressive. There’s no significant wear on the upholstered surfaces and no signs of marks or stains. The wheel shows some slight rim wear, but that’s acceptable in a classic of this vintage. The spot usually occupied by the factory AM radio now houses a retro-look stereo, but there are no other additions.
Chevrolet found itself with a sales hit with its First Generation Impala. By year’s end, 181,469 buyers had handed over their cash for one, with 125,480 selecting the Hardtop Sport Coupe. Because they proved less popular than the Tri-Five Chevrolets in subsequent decades, many cars eventually found their way to the local scrapyard when they’d served their useful purpose. This car avoided that fate and is ready to provide a new owner with many years of classic motoring pleasure. It has already attracted sixteen bids with time remaining on the listing. That allows you to consider your options before deciding whether to join the bidding war.
I’m guessing the seller’s reserve is in the neighborhood of around $75K. It has to be–this is a total restoration from the ground up. Me, I’d lose the continental kit, as they add nothing to the car & never have except acreage.
Seller has a second eBay listing on this car with a $68k buy it now price. And the photos are all right side up!
His “Buy it now” on eBay is 68K.
Beautiful indeed- continental kit not for everyone – and makes a big statement coming at you.
Hope seller gets his price.
Big statement only if it’s backing toward you. With Will on this one. Beautiful car.
Great looking car, I’d find a home for it.
Great Build. But the box speakers on the floor in the back seat? There probably a reason we have never seen that before …
American graffitti!
One of the movie cars had been burned forever in my mind.
By the numbers sold not rare but still a eyecatching classic.
When a Chevy outruns a Caddy
Major styling changes: 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, and all beautiful.
Nice looking car, and I like the kit on the back. The Chevys back in these days were pretty nice looking cars… and my favorite was the 65 Impala SS…..
Always loved chevys from 53,55,56,57,58
This continental kit is not as ugly as the extended bumper version.
Can somebody set me straight? I thought that all ’58 Impalas were black.
I had a ’58 Bel Air, or maybe it was a Biscayne – I can’t remember. It was a four-door with a 348 and it was fast – even with the Powerslide.. I paid all of $125 for it in about 1969. It had just 49,000 miles on it. I sold it in 1971 to a friend who drove it for another 2-3 years and sold it to another fellow who “restored” it- to what level I don’t know.
All ’58 Impalas were black ?. I think you are thinking about the model T
58 Impalas came in several colors, Including black
Yeah, it’s so easy to confuse the two. But thanks for the heads-up.
No not all Black, there were a lot of White Impalas, and Red, also my best friend in HS had a ’58 impala and it was a factory Copper color, had the 348 with auto. Nice cars back in the day and could be bought for a few hundred bucks in the mid 60’s.
I’ve had several 58 Chevies, all silver blue from the factory. Easiest the most popular color on them.
In regards to the eBay ad you should flip your pictures. In regards to your car…BEAUTIFUL! Love the color.
In the late 1950’s-early 1960’s, my sister and brother in law had a used black 348ci 1958 Chevy Impala that had some sort of ‘air-ride’ suspension system. It was a very stunning car, but their driveway was merely 2 dirt rut trails which prolly got a tad deeper every time it was driven on. Owning to the ruts, there was a higher mound of dirt down the middle between the ruts.On occasion, after sitting overnight, air would leak from the air suspension system and leave the immovable Impala sitting high and dry, if you will, with perhaps the transmission, and the rear axle ‘grounded’, preventing it from being moved. They used to use an air pump to inflate the system, and free the ‘boat’ from it’s insulting landlocked situation. I don’t know if the air system was an OEM system or an aftermarket one, but tales about the Chevy getting ‘hung up’ are still told today.
Enough antennas for three cars. Why add the rears if there’s already one in front (without filling it in)? At the same time that hideous spotlight should’ve also been trashed. How anyone would CHOOSE to cut a big hole in the fender and in the dash to install that ‘THING’ is beyond me.
De Gustibus Non Disputandum Est. At that time, things like dual rear antennas, chrome spotlights and continental spares were popular accessories intended to make a car look more rakish, sporty and expensive. “Gilding the lily” if you like, but perfectly in tune with the period.
That said, the seller needs to rotate the photos!
Why? because it was a factory option that’s why!
My college roommate Had black impala like this, 348. I had a 58 bel air 2 Dr hardtop with V8 with power pac option. I could beat him off the line, but once that big Mill got wrapped, pass me like a rocket. Great style cars, wishi still had mine. That huge area between the grille and radiator was great for cooling beer and wine on the way to ski.