Writing for Barn Finds involves having an unwavering passion for classic machinery of all types. Regular readers will know that I possess this quality, but few will be aware that my second love is for the silver screen. That brings me to this 1958 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe. It is a solid survivor that recently emerged from three decades in storage. So, what does that have to do with movies? The more I look at it, the more I see a prime candidate for a clone project paying tribute to the ’58 that starred in the cult classic American Grafitti. The buyer may have other ideas, but I thought I’d throw that idea out for readers to consider. Located in Gray Court, South Carolina, the Impala is listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $40,000, although they may consider offers. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting another excellent classic for us.
Introduced in 1958, the Impala’s styling stood it apart from many similar offerings in the market. While tailfins were growing ever larger, those on the Impala are pretty subtle and understated. Chevrolet offered the Impala in Convertible and Sport Coupe form, and our feature car is the latter. The owner claims it recently emerged after more than three decades in storage, and its condition is quite encouraging. The seller believes that a previous owner treated it to a repaint, with the existing shade looking distinctly darker than the Cashmere Blue in evidence around the door frames and engine bay. The buyer will undoubtedly opt for a cosmetic refresh, but they will commence this process with a structurally sound foundation. The seller indicates some patches in the trunk pan but makes no further mention of rust problems. There may be a few small traces emerging from under the chrome in a couple of spots, but I can’t see anything that demands wholesale panel replacement. The front bumper is bent, but the remaining chrome and stainless trim may respond positively to some hard work with a high-quality polish. With glass that appears free from cracks or other problems, this Impala project seems to contain nothing but positive news.
If considered purely as a survivor, it would take little to bring this Impala’s interior to an acceptable standard. The tri-tone cloth and vinyl upholstery is pretty dirty, but a specialist should have no trouble addressing most of those problems to have it looking good once again. There are a few seam separations, but an upholsterer could consign those to the pages of history. The same is true of the headliner, and if this path is followed, it could prove one of the more affordable aspects of this project build. If an American Grafitti tribute is on the cards, the interior will require a complete refurbishment. The movie Impala featured red and white tuck-and-roll upholstery, and the buyer would need to employ a professional to recreate this. Thankfully, plenty of photos exist to assist in this process.
Lifting the hood reveals that this Impala comes equipped with a 283ci V8, a two-speed Powerglide transmission, and power steering. It isn’t clear which version of the 283 this is, so I’ll go conservative and suggest that it would have produced 170hp. If correct, that would’ve allowed the Chevy to cover the ¼ mile in 19.7 seconds. The seller indicates that he plans to get the car up and running, which could be good news for potential buyers. That will allow them to confirm that its V8 is in sound mechanical health. It could also make returning the car to a roadworthy state pretty straightforward. If the buyer chooses the clone path, there will be some decisions to make. In the movie, the Sport Coupe is described as having a 327 outfitted with six Strombergs. However, it is confirmed that the actual Impala, which still exists, sported a 348ci big-block backed by a three-speed manual transmission. Either option would make this a respectable performer, and I would struggle to know which motor to choose. I guess that from an authenticity perspective, the big-block would probably win that battle.
I am aware that the world is full of clones paying tribute to the cars of both the big and small screens. When it comes to American Grafitti, many owners choose the ’55 Chevy 150 driven by Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford) or the ’32 Ford Coupe belonging to John Milner (Paul Le Mat). Steve Bollander’s (Ron Howard) 1958 Impala is often overlooked, which is a shame. Sure, some people do create tributes, but not in the sheer numbers seen with the other two. I prefer my classic cars unmolested, but I would be sorely tempted to follow that path with this build. Do you agree, or do you have other ideas?
Only a one year design, and for good reason. The 59s were awesome. The 56s were the very best, though.
The 59s were the lowest in sales though, at the time a lot of people didn’t like the 59 styling . Personally I like the 58s over the tri 5s , but The shorter Bel Air looked better to me than the Impala.
The Bel Air was not shorter than the Impala — all the ’58 sedans and hardtops had the same wheelbase and overall length. If the Bel Air looked shorter it was because of the lower, shorter roof on the Impala, which gave that model longer rear fenders and a longer rear deck (at the expense of rear seat leg room).
As the years drift by, it’s entirely possible, many may not know the authors reference to the movie, as impossible as it may seem to us old farts, where that movie DEFINED our generation. The car Adam speaks of, a ’58 white Impala was actually “Steves”( Ron Howard) but let “Terry the Toad” ( Charles Martin Smith) drive it. I never knew that, seeing the movie many times, but memory fades, I guess.
$40g’s? Wow, they better consider offers,,
About American Graffiti – I spot something new each time I watch the film. Has everyone noticed the ‘69 gold Chevy two-door with the hood up being worked on or the ‘65 Jag Mk II in a few scenes?
George Lucas was incredibly perceptive, and captured life in 1962 perfectly, except, for some of the S.Cal. scenes that did’t apply in the midwest, Want to see a sight, google “cast of American Graffiti, and look at all the “alta kockers”( old farts). Good thing I haven’t changed any,,
I agree I see a 80 thousand dollar money eater to put this back together, I love 58,s but again by the time you restore this correctly you are going to be out a lot of change.
I liked the Merc sled the Pharoah’s tooled around in.
That car was actually a pretty shabby build. It was bought by Brian Setzer and he said in an article that it definitely wasn’t what he thought it was going to be and had a lot of problems. When they chopped that car they didn’t cut the back glass they just slid it down into the trunk LOL. Notice how it doesn’t have any side glass in the movie.
In 78 I bought a super clean one of these with a freshly rebuilt 283 for $25. Traded a bag of weed for for a set of likely stolen steel belted radials and this thing was like riding on a cloud. Drove it all summer and then traded it for a 68 4sp RAII GTO with a burnt clutch. Ah the old days…
I had an opportunity to buy one of these in 1984. Primer black, no bondo, some dings and dents, with a 327 and a four speed, for $750. I balked. Coulda, woulda, shoulda! Yeah, the good old days!
After flooding the market with Tri-Fives,GM laid-off my dad and several thousand other workers in 58.
GM came up with ‘You Auto Buy Now’ campaign and put them back to work.
I’ve had and restored a 58 Impala sport coup and mine was a restomod. 502 crate motor custom 700-R4 Transmission, 4-wheel disc brakes, posi-Trac rear end. Plus a $25K paint job custom with diamond and ice pearl ghost flames. LOVED THAT CAR !!!!
BUT considering what this car needs, it’ll never bring $40K. It will cost $50 to $60K to restore it. GOOD LUCK MAN !!!
I have to agree with Steve Watson. Way Way overpriced. It would make a nice project car, but at a more reasonable price under 15K.
This guy has a lot of overpriced cars for sale
My “thrifty” bachelor uncle owned the Delray model. Bald tires, lots of baling wire. When we held his estate sale, the car was bought by some guy who rented cars to the movie industry.
Toad is that you in that beautiful car.
What about everything everything else in the yard?
Invited to hop in for a ride in a black Impala quite fresh off the assembly line, I was mesmerized by the complimentary turquoise/black/white interior decor. That ’58 was, and always will be, a favorite of mine. Those years – pretty much any make –
are a testament to the imagination and late nights put in by designers. I agree with a good friend that maintains he could be following a mile back and know exactly what was ahead, right down to the serial number.
I agree with Howard that 40 large for the car is very optimistic given the amount of money/work needed for it to present as any thing other than a worn survivor. Although the selling dealer thinks that the ask is fair; it hasn’t been that long ago that this kind of money would have bought a nice # 2. That being said I wouldn’t restore it or build a tribute car. I’d attend to any safety and drive ability needs and cruise it around while getting after the rust and straighten out the front bumper. Also I’d prefer a three speed over the Powerglide but that is mostly because of my Dad having a 58 Belair very similar to this Impala. I like the black walls and color. I drove my Dad’s car in the mid sixties and loved the old gal that my Mom had nicknamed Betsy. But rust and three kids had already taken their toll and by 1969 she headed off to be recycled. A few tears were shed that day. At half the price I’d be interested but no way to 40K.
Back to Grafitti- Terry the toad states that “it’s got a 327 chevy in it?- Did chevy offer the 327 in 62? I should known this but the ol grey hair is down to a couple working brain cells. Best movie ever- as Howard said, it defined our generation. Anyone in that time frame could see themselves in AG. George Lucas is a genius the world will never see again!
Cheers-have a popsicle
GPC
Yes they did offer 327 in ’62!
58s were my favorite from new. In high school, I drove my mom’s Bel-Air w/a 348 in it. I bought my 58, a 38K mile original little old lady’s Impala, for the princely sum of $750! But that was in 1976!!!! After she died, her grandson got it and didn’t want it. I kept the car for nearly 20 years. I did eventually repaint it and have some minor body work done, but the interior was still original as were the mechanics (283, 4bbl, PG, PS, PB). I sold it in the 90’s for the low 20s. It would bring a helluva lot more now!!!
Like the Silver Screen do you? Well here’s a gem you never heard of and it’s currently free on youtube THIS REBEL BREED (1960). a film about gangs drugs and race war. It’s almost unknown and made at the dawn of the civil rights movement when the south was still segregated although not where this movie was set (LA). Starring young Rita Moreno, Dyan Cannon and Mark Damon who are fortunately still with us. Forget Rebel Without a cause, Because They’re Young, or American Graffiti. THIS REBEL BREED is the genuine article, not some tribute like AG. Watch THIS REBEL BEED, not The Black Rebels (1965) a butchered re-release that[s all but ruined,
Enjoy everybody,
PS don’t get too upset when a ’36 V8 coupe gets trashed at the onset.
To Tony Stakis the seller is a dealer and everything is for sale mostly overpriced same dealer that had the 57 nomad el Camino a while back he has lots of unusual stuff
Some photos show $30k on the windscreen as the price. 😳