Thanks to the unexpected styling success of Chrysler’s “Forward Look” cars of 1957, the 1958 Chevrolets would be a one-year-only design. They were big and bulky-looking automobiles compared to the sharp edges and fins of the new Plymouths and Dodges, so Chevrolet would follow suit with the “bat wing” styling of 1959 and 1960. The seller’s car is the popular Impala Sport Coupe and it’s from 1959 when they used “cat’s eye” taillights for the only time. It’s been parked for 25 years but is said to be in near roadway condition. Located in Saint Paul, Nebraska, brisk bidding has raised the ante to $49,900 here on eBay.
The Impala debuted in 1958 as a special edition of the Bel Air and only came as a 2-door hardtop or convertible. Those cars had their own roofline and rear deck. Come 1959, the Impala was promoted to the leader-of-the-pack and was more like an upgraded Bel Air, leading the GM division’s sales that year and going forward. The popularity of the Impala would peak at one million units sold a year by 1965. But in 1959, the Impala Sport Coupe accounted for the sales of nearly 165,000 copies.
As the story goes, this Impala has been sitting for 2 ½ decades or more. It has a 283 cubic inch V8 with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic. The engine has been tuned up and runs great thanks to a new water pump, a rebuilt carburetor, and a new fuel tank. The transmission, however, leaks fluid and that will need looking into. The seller has not tried to drive the car, only run it in place. We assume the nearly 60,000 miles are original. Since it has new tires, there’s reason to believe you could drive this auto at speed with a little more TLC.
The body and paint are decent except for the roof which has several gouge marks. It looks like something fell on it and surface rust is trying to brew. The interior is not 100% stock as someone has swapped the upholstery for vinyl or leather of the tuck and roll variety. Looks are in the eyes of the beholder, and you will either be drawn to the passenger compartment, or not. The headliner also has a small tear. This Impala has been in demand in the bidding war, which is interesting since the car isn’t quite roadworthy or rare.
Nice even though not as orginal as some would want – the bidding shows the desire for a rare model today – as many were tossed into the crusher back when because of those fins.
I notice the crossed checkered flags on the fenders. I thought those were only used on the 348 big block cars, not the 283. Numbers checking should be in order especially at that price.
And they don’t belong there.
Those cross flags were added by somebody along the way and are not original to the 59 Impala. This car was originally a 6 cylinder since it’s lacking the V on the hood.
1959 did not have fender signs only on hood and this hood is from a 6 cylinder 6 cylinder word Chevrolet only if it had a v under it it was a 283 if cross flags it was a 348 fender signs did come out till 1962 and then cross flags where a 327 or cross flags and 409 of course was a 409
The only crossed flags on my 59 were in the side chrome trim behind the drivers door. Single chrome strip starting at the front fender split in two pieces after the emblem on down to the rear tail lamp.
My ’59 had a 283, three-on-the-tree … it had the V on the hood … paid $75 for it 1970 … $20 got me a new clutch, plate, and bearing … great back seat … had “legs” – would do 85 in second … drove it from NOLA to Chicago where it got stolen … great memories from that car …
Still better-looking than the stuff the Mopar boys were slapping together! Those late 50s and early 60s cars should’ve gotten the designers arrested!!
I had a 1959 Biscayne 4-door, white like this with a 6 and three on the tree. I liked that gull-winged beauty. Fun fact, this was the last year that Ford beat Chevy in sales. For the next thirty-plus years Chevy would dominate.
Ford beat Chevy two years later( on the strength of the Falcon) and again in ’66 (on the strength of the Mustang) and back to back in ’70-71 ( maybe because of a GM strike during that time).
The 50K ask seems a bit stiff, and could we HAVE any more upholstery buttons?? Looks like a seat at a mid-60s bowling alley.
I’m not seeing 50k either.
That’s not an asking price, it’s a bid. Someone must think it’s worth $50K.
Nice car. $50K nice? NO!
I expected to find an inline 6 cylinder engine. Note the lack of a “V indicating a 283. It it had the “V” and flags then it would have larger than a 283 engine. I had a college professor who drove a 1959 Impala 4 door hardtop with a 6 cylinder engine. On our drinking nights I would toast to Benko’s 6 cyl Impala. In 1963 I finished college and was a traveling auditor and I bought a 1963 Impala 6 cylinder. I put on 74000 miles in 13 months.
A quick trip to Tijuana? I just love diamond tufted upholstery; can I touch it? Upgraded to an alternator. Could be a fun rod.
William, 1963 was the first year for alternators on all General Motors cars. On 1959 Chevrolets the exterior designation for what engine should be under the hood was indicated by the front of the hood only. Just “Chevrolet” was for a 6 cylinder engine. An added “V” over the word meant a 283 V 8 engine. If there were flags in addition to the “V” then the engine was larger than 283. I am one old Detroit guy. I know my cars pretty well
the flags where for the 348 which later became the 409 had a 1958 with a 348 factory 3 speed black impala in high school in 1964 great car
That is what William said was it was upgraded to an alternator.
Check the serial number, that hood says it was a 6cyl. car.
The flags on the fenders do not belong.
Manual brakes and steering betting engine swap.
Karl, My guess is a front end collision in the past. This Impala has the optional bumper guard on the front. I would expect it to be a well equipped Impala, but is “Plain Jane”
It’s interesting that the rear end photos don’t show the emblem which would confirm the hood, or not.
Not sure what your point is. In 59 there was no rear emblem to confirm engine type or size.
1959 did not have signs for engine size on the trunk or any where in the rear only on hood they did come till 1960
My fav year for the Chevy Fin. ❤️ This year.
Had one, Impala 2 door. 57 has nothing on this model.
My mom had a ’59 Impala convertible, 283 and Powerglide.
Supposedly the gull-wings added perceivable rear-end “lift” at highway speeds. Any truth to that?
My understanding is that the “lift” on these 59 Chevrolets was a myth.
was kinda true year I got my license at 16 parents had a new 1960 Impala 4 door hard top and around 70 miles per hour it had a weird feeling in the rear and 1960 wings not as big as 1959 s where
Yes it is. I drove my convertible for years along with a 4 door version. High winds, 112 mph, “the top speed on my loaded 283 convertible,” and no lift. The fact is the car is wide and kind of low, so with nice tires and tight suspension they drive quite well.
Just a rumor
Umm, not so sure because my father had one and they got rid of it after a couple of yrs, traded it on a ’62 Caddy Sedan DeVille and he used to talk about it getting squirrely at highway speeds…
Bali,,,,Maybe at 200 MPH. Sure no effect at around town driving.
I’ve heard that as well, mostly only reported by police issue cars in high speed pursuit. ( I should say at slightly higher than “highway speeds” 😊)
I believe the Buick Invicta had the same problem.
50 grand for this?!
There was a used car dealer near me that sold classics and he had one on his lot about 10yrs ago in near pristine condition. He had it listed for $24900… I can’t believe this either.
C Dickinson:. Yes it does.
The emblem in the middle of the wings would just be “Bow Tie” for a 6 Cyl, add a V for 283 and lastly a V + “Crossed Flags” for a 348.
Same as they did in ’60 with the grill badge.
wrong fender signs came out in 1962 cross flags where for 327 there was not a 348 in 1962 if it was a 409 it had 409 above the cross flags bow tie with v was 283 no sign was a 6 cyl
that was in 1960 not 1959 the 59 had no emblems on the rear
Al, YOU ARE SPOT ON.
Yes it is. I drove my convertible for years along with a 4 door version. High winds, 112 mph, “the top speed on my loaded 283 convertible,” and no lift. The fact is the car is wide and kind of low, so with nice tires and tight suspension they drive quite well.
I remember my small town Chevrolet dealer, Earnie Grissim had a 1959 Chev Impala conv. on his lot that was a 6 cyl and standard shift. Window sticker was about $2,400.00.
Up over 53K now. Yeesh going on crappy garage pics somebody wants it. Insane
I will keep my 59 and 60 widetracks thank you
Just checked the ad, its $55k now… they’re definitely seeing something we’re not!
Cool car but “WOW”. Look at that price tag.I thought these had to be at least near perfect to bring that kind of money. I do like the diamond tufted interior but not that much.$51,600.00 and “87 BIDS” Far more popular than I would’ve imagined. Took a look on Ebay and this is the only 59 Impala for sale on the site. A LOT of 58’s and 3 59 El Camino’s. Also judging from the other Impala’s for sale, This isn’t as bad a price as it feels like. My neighbor has a 58 and two 59’s and also two 60’s. Needless to say, He has some nice stuff. Both 59’s are 409 4 speed cars and sound and look great.
1959 with a 409 biggest was a 348 they look the same both w engines
there was not a 409 in 1959 409 came out mid 1961
How I remember the mid-sixties when a ’59 Chevy anything was quick feed for a junkyard. A rare time capsule that makes a Cars & Coffee much more complete!
LOTTA ask for this car considering how many were produced and how many survive …
Al, spot on again. You know your cars. Must be an old Detroit guy?
I’m from Boston but a old 348 lover highschool car was a black on black 1958 impala 2 Dr ht 348 factory 3 speed loved that car
also I was born in 1945 so remember the 50s and 60s well owned lots of muscle cars and corvette back then also flathead v8 fords
Al, What part of the country do you grace with your presence?
now living in Florida been a realtor for over 50 years back in Boston had a small car collection before moving to Florida only car i brought down from it was a 1966 tbird convertible last year for tbird convertible
I grew up in Detroit. High school and college, BA in accounting from Univ of Detroit and I worked at Kelsey Hayes for many years. I was special projects man and also head of the casting division accounting. Left Detroit and was then controller of a 460 employee foundry outside Houston, Texas. Then went on to be a consultant in this industry and built foundries in Texas and Mexico. A true story: The GM execs went to Mexico City to meet with the management of the assembly plant down there. The Detroit guys told the plant personnel that in 1977 the Chevrolet would be a smaller car and that the assembly line would be removed and a new installed. After the guys left, (1975) they pulled out the assembly line one year too soon. No full size GM cars were produced in Mexico for 1976.
Good grief. Up to $60k now… that is crazy.