When Chevroler redesigned their cars in 1958, they also reworked the series (and naming) order. From the top down, you could buy a Bel Air Impala, Bel Air, Biscayne, or Delray. The latter was the entry-level model named after a neighborhood in Detroit (not the beach in Florida). This ’58 Delray has had the same owner for 25 years but has been dormant for two years and needs work. You can find it in Redding, California, and it’s available here on craigslist for $2,800 or the best serious offer. Another fine tip brought to us by Mitchell G.!
The Delray began as a trim level on 210 two-doors beginning in 1954. It wasn’t until 1958 that it would become a series of its own with a wider range of body styles. When Chevy redid its vehicles again in 1959, the Delray name disappeared, and the Biscayne became the bottom feeder. The Delray was a sparse vehicle in ’58 and examples like the seller’s car may have only had rubber floor coverings as opposed to carpeting.
Options were few on this Delray with a base 235 cubic inch inline-six and a “3-ou-the-tree” manual transmission. The only extra may be the white-over-turquoise paint. The seller believes the car has 150,000 miles, so it’s “well-experienced”. He/she acquired the 4-door sedan in 2000, and it served as a daily driver for more than a decade. Since we’re told it could be “great as a running project for a do-it-yourselfer,” we assume the vehicle is mechanically functional.
The to-do list at a minimum will include redoing a tired interior and replacing some of the glass. There is no mention of corrosion, so perhaps rust is not an issue. The seller has developed some health issues that prevent him/her from working on the car, otherwise it might not be for sale. Before you arrive to take this project home, the seller will try to find the Chevy’s Chilton repair manual.
Ah,those halcyon days when cars were named for upscale and desirable places! I’d prefer to think Delray was named for a sunny 🌞 Florida beach (Del Ray *of the (sun) rays * much like Biscayne. The list might go on infinitim. This survivor looks somewhat DOWN and OUT and not in Beverly Hills, or Bel Air. Still the 58 styling was IMO one of the best for all of GMs line!
Why does it seem that he’s trying to hide that it’s a four door?
The seller does describe it as a 4 door in the Craigslist ad.
At that price there is no need to, $2,800 for a complete 1958 will get it sold no matter how many doors, even if it was just a parts car.
Usually when a seller is obscuring the number of door or the length of the bed on a pickup in photos they will dance around that in the written description too. Those ads are also generally asking relatively high prices for that particular make and model.
Steve R
Those Chilton manuals were worthless!
“Remove Water Pump”
Umm, right, I know, how exactly?
can’t believe it’s not sold,seems like a large pile of rust with a bowtie on top is listed for more $$
My Dear Mr. Coop…I hold two College degrees ( BA and MA) with Majors in English and know the correct spelling, pronunciation, and meaning of HALCYON. It seems you enjoy criticism. Perhaps you MIGHT make a political commentary Xpert. I specifically spelled it that way! I have three approvals of my post. Just a friendly reminder that Santa 🎅 may be watching you! 😅 🤣
Of course they had rubber mats (pretty good idea, I’d say). Even the higher model Biscayne had them.
This tears it, I had this exact car, I kid you not. Fact is, I have several pictures of it, that exact front view, and mine was all blue. It’s a pain to transfer my paper pics to the computer, but it was this exact car. Like this, no options, not even sun visors or arm rests. It was a basic car for sure. Took it on several family trips, with a case of oil in the trunk, and sold it at Jefferson Car Show in the late 80s, for $700 bucks. I doubt my car made it to California, but who knows? I read, this was the least expensive 1958 Chevy at just over $2grand. Over 1,255,000 Chevys were sold in 1958, and with the Impala getting all the thunder, most were just like this. Thanks Russ for yet another from the dusty vault.
Very few people know of the area in southwest Detroit known as Delray. Well done!
My wife grew up in Trenton, MI (Downriver Area), and has fond memories of Delray.
Anyway, the asking $ is very good. Wish there were shots of the interior and engine bay.
Looks like a 58 Chevrolet subgroup might be forming here. My first car was a blue/blue Biscayne. 6 with three on the tree. I got a ticket for “squealing tires”. My father said anyone who could do that with a Chevy 6 deserved the recognition. The car was less than 10 years old and the floors had already been replaced by sheet metal. Rustproofing was not a strength.
These cars had real presence even in standard trim. No mistaking for anything else on the road. Wasn’t the Delray known for offering vinyl upholstery as standard when it was the upcharge in other trims?
Nice car then, nice car now worth restoring.
Listing deleted
The posting was deleted. I have written before about my father’s 1958 Belair. Pale blue two door with a 283 and three on the tree. No accessories. Not even a radio. Still, to a seven year old junior gearhead it was absolutely beautiful. And that V8 was quite a difference from his 1953 stovebolt six. But by the time I drove it, Old Betsy ( my mother’s term of endearment ) was worn out and seriously rusted away.
For two grand I would buy this lickety split if it were near me. And that’s with seeing only the BF photos. Alas, you just won’t find something like this with the lack of rust here in the Mid-Atlantic. I’m not surprised it’s sold.
Sold. No surprise there