As part of a General Motors-wide 50th anniversary celebration, Chevrolet introduced the Impala in 1958. It was part of the Bel Air range but was limited to two-door body styles, featuring some unique rear sheet metal. The seller’s version was lowered some years ago and has the desirable 348 cubic inch V8 with triple 2-barrel carburetors (aka Tri-Power). Located in Otis Orchards, Washington, this former hot rod requires a minimum of paint and interior work. The asking price is $29,500 here on Facebook Marketplace, and Bravo, T.J., for this American Graffiti-style tip!
The 1958 model year would be a one-year-wonder for cars like the Impala. In 1959, the vehicles would be redesigned for the second year in a row in response to the “Forward Look” Plymouths and Dodges, which would make the ’58 Chevies seem big and bloated. The Impala would then lose its special styling treatment but gain a few extra doors as the car was promoted to series status. Impala sales in 1958 were a bright spot in an off-demand year (economic recession), yet enabled Chevy to regain the top sales position over Ford.
The seller’s Impala Sport Coupe is one of 125,000 built in 1958 and has the 280 hp version of the new 348 V8 (numbers matching?). Since it has an automatic transmission, would that be the 2-speed Powerglide? Back in the day, a prior owner did some customizing by lowering the ride and “hot rodding” the upholstery, but may have left the drivetrain alone. The black paint looks okay from 20 feet, but is cracked and peeling, and needs to be redone.
This Chevy is in running order thanks to a cleansing of the fuel tank and adding a new set of tires. However, the tranny has a leak that should be attended to (new seals?). You could restore the car to the custom level done many moons ago (such as the tubed grill, louvered hood, and so forth) or take the vehicle back to stock specs (which is what I would do). The seller prefers cash unless you happen to have a Corvair van to trade.
Fix the paint, put a 4 speed in it, clean the tires and hit the road. Looks good lowered as did many others when the car was introduced.
Russ, I was hoping somebody would feature this – with the louvered hood, spinner wheel covers and tri-power, this Impala is truly “too cool for school.”
It’s probably too high of an ask for all of the paint issues. For the right price I would just drive it, those seats look real comfy. Also, I don’t understand why anyone thinks lowering a car looks cool. But hey that’s my opinion.
it would not be a power glide. The 348 had another transmission and I’ve for the life of me. I can’t remember the name of it, but it was not a power glide.
Dennis,
Turboglide?
If my memory serves me right, two choices of AT were available. 2 Speed Powerglide or 3 Speed Superthrust Turboglide. But then at 79yo my memory may be a little rusty.
all of the 348 that I saw or was around my brother had two of them. They all had that that turbo glide in it especially the dry powered ones I rebuilt 58 impala convertible with a try power factory car for a guy here in town I rebuilt the engine and it had that turbo ride on it too
As a V8 the OE transmission could have been either a powerglide or a turboglide. It’s not very important since a TH350 is in place now. The turboglide was not available for 6 cylinder cars.
Maybe it’s a matter of taste but the bluedots don’t belong on this car. The two tail lights separated by a backup light is classic Impala. The three bluedots per side do nothing positive for the car.
With the louvers and bluedots my guess is the work was done in the early to mid-sixties.
AHEM…. The blue dots are period custom correct and give it n LED illuminated look. . No reverse lights are like my 1967 SS which I put Caprice lights in. The back up lights were in the bumper that year. The older cars need all the help they can get with lighting. Knuckleheads these days are screen blinded at night LOL…
Backup lights on the Impala were the middle light in 58 and 59 till they dropped the 3 lights system.
Back in my high school days (~1967), my upperclassman friend had one of these Chevys, same color too. We were both in auto-shop (a class which has long been abandoned by high-schools) and we were allowed to work on our cars during the class period. My friend wanted to install new shocks, so after raising it up we removed both sides. Regrettably it took longer than expected to remove the shocks, so we v-e-r-y carefully lowered the car back down and he drove it bouncy-bouncy for a day. A memory never forgotten!
Id put a Ramjet 350-Turbo-400-and a good radio in it and drive the pants off it