After a booming three-year run of Tri-Five models, which ended in 1957, expectations among Chevrolet consumers for what would happen next must have been very high. Fortunately, a new entry into the roster was far from disappointing, with the stylish Impala hitting dealer lots as a fresh offering for the 1958 lineup. The Impala was initially billed as a top-end Bel Air, which was previously the most luxurious of the iconic 1955-1957 Chevys. This first-year Impala here on Facebook Marketplace needs work on the driver’s side, though many other areas appear solid and likely offer a good working foundation. Located in Ottawa, Kansas, this one is priced at $12,000, and we’d like to thank faithful tipster Zappenduster for finding this cool coupe and letting us know about it!
If my math is correct, it seems like around 75% or more of this Impala is probably at a decent starting point, and perhaps the number may be a little higher if that driver’s door is useable. It probably happened decades ago, but this Chevy was involved in an accident on the left front section, so the parts required to make the repairs here will need to be sourced by the buyer. A second car is visible in some of the photos, but it doesn’t appear to have any front sheet metal, so that one probably won’t be of much help here.
One would think a car of the Impala’s size would have been available with only V8 power in the late fifties, but an inline-6 known as the Blue Flame was actually among the available engines, followed by some larger eight-cylinder options. The largest featured a displacement of 348 cubic inches, and thankfully, that’s what the seller says can be found in the bay here. However, that’s where the details end, as there’s no word on whether it’s original to the car or if the crank will still turn. No specifics are provided about the transmission, other than that it is automatic.
Only a pair of interior photos is supplied, with the owner surmising that a professional cleaning may be all that’s necessary to bring them to an acceptable appearance. Some additional good news is said to be below the skin level, as the floors are described as mostly solid, and the trunk pan is reported to be in better condition than the seller has ever seen. It’ll be a substantial restoration task, but this one seems like pretty good project material overall, and I hope it will find its way into the hands of someone with the skills to get this one back on the road. Any thoughts to share about this 1958 Chevrolet Impala?
I remember when the ’58 models came out. For GM everything was a major departure from what it had produced until then. The ’58 Oldsmobiles and Buicks came out as massive chrome barges and were grotesque, even to a 5 year old. Chevy and Pontiac seemed to put the brakes on and their contributions were easier to take.
At the time I was too young to appreciate it but in later years, I came to love those “W” engines. When I became a mechanic I saw a lot of 348/409 engines come through our shop, albeit mostly in larger trucks. ’62 to ’65 Chevy C-80 gravel trucks with 409s were commonplace and we learned that 250 hp in hard usage could shove the crankshaft right out the bottom, the same as the hot-rodded engines from the “other side of the street.”
A car like this would be welcome at my place. Anyone who turns down a 348/409 is missing some of the better things in life, even though installing a set of rings can be tricky.
This is going to require a ton of work before it ever hits the pavement again. Missing/mismatched parts and what appears to be years and years of sitting work against it.
So does the price, which I think would be very high for a complete, all-original non-runner.
On the other hand, a ’58 Impala 348 is a neat car. It’s a one-year design, too, so there can’t be all that many of them left.
IMO, it’s definitely a labor of love project. I hope somebody loves it enough to take it on, and give it a sympathetic restoration.
12K for a wrecked, field-stored ’58 Impala? That’s a big negatory, good buddy.
10-4
$12K????? Some people are living in dreamland. $1200 would be too much for this rusty wreck.
I’m as old as this car and thankfully can say that even I look better.
Stored 25 years outside…. 12,000.00 nope !
One thing going for it is it might be a gold Chevy Anniversary edition.
That wouldn’t have been for another 8 years. Chevy produced its first car in 1911…
’58 was a anniversary year for something GM. They called it anniversary gold and was in limited numbers. My ’58 Corvette had a gold V in the front/ rear emblem. The other years had silver. I always thought ’58 meant something. After checking into it , it’s still vague to me.
1958 was the 50th anniversary of General Motors, not Chevrolet.
That would be 1961 I think 50 years
Yes, you’re right. I got myself mixed up with a booklet I have, called the Chevrolet Story 1911-1966.
Hard to believe somebody let this sit outside for so long. it must have been a nice looking car when it was parked (minus the left side damage). Top of the Chevy line for ’58. The Impala had a different roof line than the rest of the Chevys. You could get a regular Belair hardtop but they had a higher roof. These were even made more famous because of a certain movie in the 70’s that featured one in white. I hope someone brings this one back, but it might sit a little longer at this price.
Correct me if I’m wrong but the seller states that this vehicle was stored inside for twenty five years and that they just pulled it out. GM cars of this era were prone to rust. This one may be a little bit better than many other unrestored vehicles that you find. But the missing left front fender and all of the trim will likely be hard to source. The front fenders above the lights were beginning their journey to returning to an iron oxide status immediately after the first drive in a rain storm. I like 1958 Chevrolets mostly for sentimental reasons as my Dad bought one new and they bring back a lot of memories. So I hope this one gets back on the road especially since it’s sporting the 348. But for that to happen I think the seller will need to make a substantial adjustment in their ask. GLWTS.
Actually, a 283 is plenty of power in one of these, and is more allergic to filling-stations — an important consideration if you intend to one day DRIVE this one. It will cost a near-fortune to restore this example, and months upon months to find the parts. Even if COMPLETE and not running, it could not command $12,000. Yes, these are inveterate rust-buckets: I ought to know, having driven one which began to take its journey to hopeless decay as early as 1961. I remember the ads that came in the mail: “The key to your 1958 Chevrolet Impala has never been worth more on a trade-in toward our…”: these were prized cars even when they were three years old.
Seems to be missing a good part of its windshield. Maybe the one next to it has a good one , or the one behind it.
Perhaps all three for $1,200. ?
If 12K is just the starting ask, and it’s for all three 58’s in the photo, then someone with time and experience could maybe put together a running example. But 25 years buried to the frame and covered in Kansas winter snows, there’s a lot of questions to be answered. Old enough to remember them when new – an uncle had the Pontiac version in gold and white – I have always loved these before that star turn in Lucas’s film.
real shame it was to get to this point. maybe 12k for the cars in the picture.
Or 7k for both!
Saw this a week or so ago and then he posted his other 1958 and then he posted his other 1958…..seller has 3 of them and might be trying to cash out before the bottom hits…..but….lots of 1958 Chevies got crushed – they never were the popular car…American Graffiti gave them a boost…..