For the second year in a row in 1959, Chevrolet totally redesigned their portfolio. This was likely in response to the styling coup Chrysler had pulled off in 1957 with their wild “Forward Look” Plymouths, Dodges, etc. This ’59 Impala Sport Coupe is largely original and has a freshly rebuilt 348 cubic inch V8 with triple carburetors and not one, but two, matching numbers transmissions. Located in Fruita, California, this factory hot-rod project is available here on eBay where the bidding starts at $34,900.
The big, bulky corners of the one-year-only 1958 Chevies were replaced by swooping lines and batwings for 1959. On the Sport Coupes, the rooflines took on an expansive amount of glass which would soon be dubbed “bubble tops.” The Impala became a series of its own rather than a sub of the Bel Air and became Chevrolet’s “top dog” and eventual best-seller.
We’re told this car was recently as original as you would find before the seller (or someone else) began work. The highlight was a rebuild of the Impala’s V8 with its factory “Tri-Power” setup. While the motor is back where it belongs, it’s not hooked up yet. You’ll get two original transmissions, one being a Turboglide and the other a T-10 4-speed. We understand this is possible when there is a factory replacement due to a faulty apparatus. The buyer of this Chevy will get both to choose from.
Some metal work has been done, and this Chevy may be closer to new Snowcrest White paint than it looks. The original interior also needs an extreme makeover. The overall mileage may be 80,000 with no previous restoration work until now. The seller is very thorough in describing this vehicle – and offers five videos for your perusal. If you’re in the market for a batwing Chevy to finish restoring, this one seems to have a lot going for it.
Fruita, Colorado, not California.
This car cost too much to have to sort out , but would be great to have. The bubble tops of 60 owe much to this 59 Chevy.
Here is the same car, before they added a little white primer: https://barnfinds.com/348-v8-tri-power-1959-chevrolet-impala-project/
Read all the comments to that prior post (particularly mine) – this is not a factory tri-power motor as claimed by the seller. Also not a factory 4-speed motor, or a factory 4-speed car (but at least this go-round they are a little less misleading about that than they were in the prior auction).
34.9K starting bit. It will surprise me if they get any bids. It’s a pretty cool car but has so much that needs done that price seems awful high to me.
This Impala just sold on BAT on 2/28/25 for $23,100. Ebay listing is using the same photos. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1959-chevrolet-impala-27/
I always thought this car was tied with the 60 Ford for ugliest American vehicle. Now, I’d love to have one. My older brother had a slew of these things. Only one 3 deuce most were 4 barrels but they were dirt cheap in the late 60s early 70s. He even had a few convertibles which were even cheaper. Nobody wanted a 58 or 59. Even fewer wanted a convertible and the 348 hurt it further. My brother was a 1950s left over, greased back hair, cigarette pack rolled up in sleeve dude and loved convertibles. They were also cheap used which may have had a lot to do with it.
The collector market is way down. In current condition I would say this is a $15k car.
I’d love to have this at a realistic price. The starting bid is just too high.
Matching #’s on motor….and both transmissions……that’s rare right there !
Man I love this car ! Let’s forget the price and talk about what we would do with it, I like the patina on it , would have to get a replacement interior even though it’s original. Repaint the engine compartment, rebuild the motor with new paint. Get it running, stopping some safety upgrades, drive the car as is and decide slowly what the car is telling “you” it wants. It’s nice to see there are still some ‘59 Chevys out there in this condition.