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Worth The Price? 1959 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe

An original and unrestored classic car in immaculate condition will almost always command a premium price when offered for sale. The big question becomes just how high that price can go before it becomes unrealistic. That is the question posed by this 1959 Impala Sport Coupe, which has been listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Clarkston, Washington, and the price has been set at an eye-watering $95,500. However, the owner will entertain offers.

The ’59 Impala possesses an iconic shape, and the Sport Coupe allows what is a relatively large car to look light and airy. This is especially true when that vehicle is finished in a color like Snowcrest White. Frustratingly, the owner only provides four photos with the listing. I would expect a seller to supply more for a car in this price range. We can only hope that he is willing to provide additional photos to potential buyers. Overall, the condition of the Impala does look to be extremely good. The paint shines nicely, while the panels are free from any apparent dings or dents. It doesn’t look like there are any rust issues, while the trim and glass appear perfect.

I’m pretty sure that we’ve seen this vehicle before here at Barn Finds, although I have looked back through the archives and haven’t located a previous article about it. The tri-color interior is distinctive, and I think that it is the lack of a radio in this shot that has stirred a memory within me. It seems that since the seller took this photo, a radio has been installed. That means that it is now complete in there. I can’t spot any problems with the interior, with the upholstery appearing to be perfect. There are no issues with the carpet or dash and no visible evidence of any wear on the wheel. There are no engine photos, but we know that the Impala is equipped with the Tri-Power 348ci V8, punching out 280hp. Those horses find their way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. Beyond that, we don’t know whether the car is equipped with options like power steering or power brakes. At 3,750lbs, the Sport Coupe isn’t the lightest car on the planet. However, this mechanical combination should be capable of launching it through the ¼ mile in 16.5 seconds. As well as the limited photos, the owner is pretty frugal when it comes to his description. He doesn’t provide any concrete information on how well the Impala runs or drives, but he does indicate that it has a genuine 19,500 miles showing on its odometer. We can only hope that he holds some form of evidence to verify this claim.

At face value, this ’59 Impala Sport Coupe looks like an incredible car. There’s not a lot to criticize when you look through the supplied photos. However, I think that the owner has done himself an enormous dis-service with his listing. A bit of searching revealed that the Impala has been on the market since the middle of April. Part of this might be due to the lack of information and photos, while the asking price could be a contributing factor. Is the price on this classic realistic, or do you think that the owner might need to drop it to generate any real interest?

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparman Member

    Realistically, the number of boomers (myself included) that would lust after this car are ageing out. Those that don’t already own and/or desire one are going to be put off by the stratospheric price of this one (IMO). It’ll probably end up like many other super high priced postings, either: “No Bids”, or “Reserve not Met”. :-)

    Like 51
    • Avatar Gremlin X

      If you were but a lad of 16 in 1959 you would now be 77 years old!

      Like 15
      • Avatar MNGUY

        Yes, and that is exactly what I am. I remember going to the dealer and looking at the new ’59s. I did eventually own a ’61 convert. Better looking car in my opinion.

        Like 21
      • Avatar kit

        That’s me (July ’42). Noting the 16.5 seconds in the 1/4 mile for this ’59 Impala is a joke by todays standards. My new stock Camaro SS turns in the low 12’s. I would still love to have this ’59 today, having owned several similar Chevys back then.

        Like 1
    • Avatar On and On Member

      Moparman your observations are well based. Look what has happened to early T-Bird prices. Attrition will actually make this at that price a poor investment. I’m a 1951 model myself, so that puts me in the boomer corner also. I’m interested in another car, but starting to think that a better choice at my age to leave and gain value might be something the Gen-X folks might like. Any gen-xers out there wish to give their take on that or a small list of desirable cars they would like to have? I do believe there will always be car guy/gearhead folks around. Just what might they want? Howard and Geomechs, what would you boys buy if you were 40 years old?

      Like 10
      • Avatar Jean DESJARDINS

        I was born in 1965. My interest has always been 60’s and 70’s era cars. But lately, I have developed a new fondness for 50’s era cars. Not sure that I would buy one though. Only if I had a lot of extra money. Heck, if I had a lot of extra money, I’d probably have multiple garages like Jay Leno, with all kinds of vehicles in them ….

        Like 19
      • Avatar michelle Staff

        Three words: Fox body Mustang.

        Like 5
      • Avatar Dr. Earl Chrysler

        If I could but a GM right from ‘the good old days’ I’d buy a 1966 Chevelle Malibu 2dht with 327 with Power-Pack, dual exhaust and 4 on the floor like the one I enjoyed back then.

        Like 4
      • Avatar bry593

        There are awesome deals on 40’s and 50’s cars right now. I almost a 48 Ford with all the fixin’s including a/c for $18k (but somebody beat me to it). Yeah, the old timers are leaving their pride and joy to the kids or grand children and they are selling the cars for peanuts.

        Gen X cars? ’70-73 F-body is already out of sight, 240z, CT70 mini-bike.
        Gen Y cars? Cobra Stang, Monte SS, Grand National
        Gen Z cars? Subaru STI, Civic Type R (and SI)

        Notice that we have run out of letters for generations. That is an omen….

        Like 2
      • Avatar Luke

        I’m 41 and I’ve got it bad for X frame Chevys. I’ve got a 29k mile 62 Impala Sport Coupe, a project 63 SS and a 60 El Camino I hope to have in the road in early summer. ‘59s are very desirable but $95k is a lot of money especially with those stupid hubcaps on it. Boomers may remember these things from when they were new, but we were staring at them when they were the stars of early 90’s music videos.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Mountainwoodie

        Or..one could buy a car they want at a reasonable (for the buyer) price……….using their inherent knowledge of its potential to either increase in value or ….most likely decrease…………and just enjoy owning it cause it does something for you…..don’t worry about where the car ends up when you leave the field.
        The wealthier among us have been driving up the market for decades now…….leaving lots of us out in the cold with nothing but our memories of buying a particular car for 1500 bucks….whatever model it might be.
        I deal with this unpleasant turn of events by patiently waiting for the car I want ( and there are many) that I know is just around the corner and reasonably priced to boot! Self delusion goes a long way in minimizing reality’s bite :)

        Like 3
      • Avatar Fuzzy

        On and on.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Fuzzy

        On and on. I’m a 1972 model myself. I have a 1961 Impala and a 1970 Duster. I hope these older cars will go down in value so I can afford more of them. Not a big fan of the cars that most people my age like. I like the cars of my dad’s era. Always will.

        Like 3
      • Avatar boyd tutor

        wished i had the money this cars a very good investment

        Like 0
    • Avatar Mountainwoodie

      I dont think he wants to sell it.

      Like 23
  2. Avatar bobhess Member

    Certainly agree. Nice car but where’s the buyer going to come from? Only interest to me is the Dodge hubcaps I haven’t seen in forever.

    Like 16
    • Avatar Mike Tarutis Member

      Good catch, Bob. . .saw that, too. Wondered why on such a high-ticket batwing that very much in-your-face detail would be overlooked?

      Like 14
    • Avatar Will Fox

      Those are `58 Dodge spinners!

      Like 8
      • Avatar Chuck Dickinson

        Those are actually just an aftermarket spinner cap, not real “Dodge Lancers” (as we used to call ’em).

        Like 1
  3. Avatar CCFisher

    The bottom line is that it’s worth whatever the buyer is willing to pay. That being said, Hagerty lists a #1 tri-power Impala Sport Coupe at a bit over $84,000. Is this one worth $11,000 more than that? If low-mileage originals are your thing, it probably is, simply because the odds of finding another one equipped like this one are near zero.

    Like 12
    • Avatar Will Fox

      No, it’s not worth the asking price. Especially without factory wheelcovers. And that shade of white is far too bright for what GM used in `59. I see $45K-$50K maybe, but no more.

      Like 9
      • Avatar frank orzechowski

        You are dead wrong on the color I had a 61 Impala and if you pulled next to a Ford you would see how white it was compared to the Ford.

        Like 9
      • Avatar bry593

        Well he’s a privileged deplorable due to this shade of white. I expect him to express guilt for his color choice and donate the asset to the “Build Back Better” community. They can paint it a non-offending rainbow pattern and this will make the world a better place for everyone except the majority. It really is that simple…..

        Like 14
  4. Avatar Ben T.Spanner

    My cousin had a similar 1959 as a convertible. Same color combo, and same drive train. The car was one or two years old, and he was young and dumb. He wrecked it at least twice. In his care, it turned to crap quickly.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Really

    Something seems a bit fishy why only four (4) pictures posted for a $100,000.00 hundred thousand dollar classic?

    Like 9
  6. Avatar Mark

    As time progresses, the question is not going to be whether there will be a marketplace for a given model, the question is will there even be a market?
    I honestly believe that with the advancement of technology and upcoming restrictions which will be placed on owners of cars we enjoy now, many of us are going to find ourselves stuck so to speak with our current rides. And if we think that we are going to simply hand our vehicles down to our grandchildren we are mistaken. Yes, there will always be those of the younger generations who will always be gearheads and seek older cars, but the future will not be like our past.
    The day will come when old cars will go the way of the cigarette……the stigma and being taxed to the nth degree for ownership will serve as the penalty of ownership.
    Will it happen tomorrow? No. The need for fossil fuels acrosd all spectrums of our everyday lives is not going away.
    But as far as vehicles go. all one has to do is look at the racing world…..Don Garlits goal was to get 200mph out of an electric dragster.
    FI has an “E” series. Let’s face it guys, the slot cars of our youth are going bv to he our grandkids reality.

    Like 8
    • Avatar Mr.BZ

      It’s happening today in CA, and when the feds adopt those radical policies our favorite vehicles are doomed.

      Like 6
  7. Avatar Gary McDaniel

    This is a near duplicate to the car my dad bought in ’59. I always hoped I might see another like it, but, I am in agreement about the pricing on this one.

    Like 4
  8. Avatar grease

    Makes my mouth and everything else water but then again I am one of those aging boomers – 348 tri power, 4 speed sport coupe.. a dream car for sure.

    Like 4
  9. Avatar Joe Haska

    Gremlin X, I was that 16 year old in 1959, I had 32 Coupe and was well on my way to be a life long Car Guy. It is funny but as beautiful as the 59’s were ,they really were not the car most of us wanted, but I think that was mostly because a high school kid, couldn’t afford a brand new car. Heck, my dad couldn’t afford one. The tri-5’s were already the hot item and very desirable and even affordable. In 1961, I bought a 55 Bel Air 2-door HT for $400 , fixed it up and later sold it for $800, and thought that was all the money.
    Speaking of all the money ,if I had it, Iwould own this 59 HT.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Tom okonski

      wow your right on the money i bought a 55 for 350 2-door sedan. had lots of 55’s over the years

      Like 1
  10. Avatar Herb Reed

    Personally I would rather have the 58 Impala or the 62 Impala. And I agree with others that 95K seems a bit steep even if it really is a super low mileage car, which might be hard to prove in that vintage. Rolling back odometers was done a lot by unscrupulous individuals and the odometer only went up to 99,999 in the first place, so there is really no way to tell if the car actually has 100K + the OD reading other than condition, which can be deceptive.

    Like 3
  11. Avatar martinsane

    4 pix and 100k ask equals “Yes dear, I’ll sell the Impala”.

    Nice though and id bet the wheel covers are intentional as they “look cool”.

    Like 10
  12. Avatar Arthell64

    Nice car but 95k is I don’t want to sell it price. Honey nobody wanted it so I guess I will have to keep it.

    Like 7
  13. Avatar BigBlocksRock

    The Hemi Plymouth a couple spots back in this thread would be more desirable (IMO) & I’m a bowtie guy.

    Like 2
  14. Avatar KKW

    I was hatched in 1957, the 50s are my favorites, but this isn’t one of them. I couldn’t imagine paying 95grand for any, let alone the fugliest one chevrolet ever concocted.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Solosolo Member

      To me it’s the best Chevrolet ever concocted. Ken Tilly UK

      Like 6
  15. Avatar Bing

    I have a small and ever evolving collection of American iron. Oldest is a 34 roadster done up in early 60’ California hot rod style the rest are 50’s thru mid 60’s vehicles. They are all licensed, all are driven and enjoyed, all leave in better condition than when they arrived. I sell one or two a year, buy one or two and never have less than for four or more than six. I don’t buy junk, I won’t over pay, and none of them are high point high dollar cars. I don’t understand the preoccupation with 99 point cars and six figure values. If I can’t drive it to Home Depot or the local diner and park it and go inside, I don’t want it. Now, that’s just me…and these old cars and trucks should be loved on and driven, then passed on to the next guy.

    Like 17
  16. Avatar Just Older

    I rather have my 90 impala SS.
    Its a better body style and probably rides smother and has AC too.

    I will leave this one up to all the grandparents to drool over in their nursing home.

    Like 1
    • Avatar notinuse

      I’m not aware of a ’90 Impala SS. Did I miss one?

      Like 6
      • Avatar KKW

        Wouldn’t be hard to miss, just be on the lookout for a bathtub on wheels.

        Like 5
    • Avatar KIT

      Apples and oranges. Not even in the same ball park. Wrong on both points imo. No one cares about a ’90 Impala SS. Also I’m 78 and living large in my private Florida home, driving my new Camaro SS.

      Like 1
  17. Avatar William Stutz

    My first car was a 59 Impala just like this except it had a 6cyl. and three speed on the colume .I paid $1000. in the summer of 1963 , the car had 21000 miles on it but I think Service Chevrolet spun the speedometer from 61000 .The color was called snow white and it was that brite . I drove the car two years when second gear went out and traded it in on a 65 Plymouth Satillite convertible . I got $550.in trade .

    Like 5
    • Avatar John S Dressler

      Bill, same with me. My first car was a 59 Biscayne equipped just like yours only painted Marina Blue. My dad gave me the car when I was in high school with over 200,000 miles on it. Other than the usual things like tires, clutch, etc., I never had to touch that engine, a testament to changing oil every 3,500 miles. I eventually sold it to a guy at work with just over 300,000 miles on that 235 six. I have fond memories of that car and it’s big back seat!

      Like 2
  18. Avatar dr fine

    My grandad had a friend who got a great deal on an eight year old ’50 Plymouth with less than 10K on the clock, and always garaged. He proceeded to drive it home, but was disappointed to find it wouldn’t go over 40mph. After many miles, it loosened up and easily maintained 60. But when he got home, the crap in the engine that had been loosened up had eaten the rings and bearings, and it was smoking and clattering like poorly maintained and worn out car.

    Like 1
  19. Avatar CaCarDude

    Nice Impala, the fact it is a 3 pedal car with the 4 spd makes it more desirable and worth more but not at his listed price. Maybe $60k max on a good day. I see this has the CA one piece bumpers and it also has a padded dash which was a rare option not many of the 59’s received. I wonder if the seller also plans on including a new ignition switch with the sale as the current one will need to be R & R due to the weight of the chain of keys he likes to use.
    These hubcaps appear to be from the Dodge Lancer, they were quite popular back in the day. This is a car I would love to see and inspect in person. I personally like these better in a two tone color and with the wonderbar radio and twin antennas in the rear, oh and don’t forget factory air!

    Like 1
  20. Avatar JoeBob

    I’m with BigBlocksRock. If I had a disposable $95k, I’d buy the 66 Belvedere and use the leftover cash to upgrade the brakes and axle.

    Like 1
  21. Avatar Keith Knox

    I bought a new Biscayne 2 door post, when I was 18. 283 3speed on the column. My folks took over the $75.00 payment when I joined the Navy the end of 1960.

    Like 0
  22. Avatar Tim

    Ooooooooo….Timmy like!

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Denny

    Had 3 60 Impala’s 2 hard tops and one convertible ,like the style of a 60 a little better.

    Like 1
  24. Avatar Martin Dominguez

    I was born in 1979 and as a child growing up in the 80s and 90s I fell in love with specifically 1959 to 1960 Biscayne, bel airs, Impala‘s. As we all know The body style changed in 1961. Back to the story I was able to acquire a 1960 Chevy Biscayne 348. Tuxedo black blue interior. All original Arizona car. Really no rust. Real numbers from 1958 1959 1960 for the production of these vehicles are extremely low considering. Now minus how many cars have been destroyed from one way or another. And how many actual driving cars are left. One more thing!!!! The European market including Asia is extremely interested in purchasing a lot of American classic cars specifically Impala‘s!

    I may be biased because I own one.
    And unlike other people I’ve done years of research including owning multiple Impala‘s from multiple years.
    Also if you’re a car restore? you will know! parts are getting harder and harder to find.
    It seems like you have to buy another car just to get one piece of chrome. Specifically impalas! If that car doesn’t get cut up. And no one screws with it. It will be worth upwards of 100 to 150 K all day!!! If you don’t believe. Read this post in 5 years ..
    buy them all! Now while you can.

    Like 1
  25. Avatar deak E Stevens

    When I saw the price of 95 000 I yelled scared my wife.theres parts of the country you can still buy a house for that.it’s ridicules how much people want for these cars when I had one just like that I paid 250 dollars for in 1969.i guess people have never had it had so they don’t care how they spend there money.i guess money does grow on trees now days,it sure did’nt when I was growing up.the only way to get money back then was work for it.what a change this world has turned too.

    Like 5
    • Avatar deak E Stevens

      This by far is my favorite car ever,Black on black,one of the first cars around with hydraulics,glass 18″ glasspacks,glass packs,am/fm in dash 8 yrack with vibersonic. And a glove box full of tickets. Loved it!

      Like 0
  26. Avatar Jerry

    $95500!!! “Eye watering” is an understatement.

    Like 2
  27. Avatar Mr.BZ

    95k is a real stretch unless that’s the negative effect you are looking for, but this car has always been high on my list of attractive auto bodies. Might have been the hot, young mom at the other end of the street that drove by every day through my early childhood in the 60’s that earned the ’59 it’s place on that list, but the car fit her to a T.

    Like 1
  28. Avatar Richie

    If I remember right the little small block v8 with a 4 barrel could run circles around the 348.
    I had a 59 with a set of glasspacks that I got a couple of tickets for loud pipes, finally took them off. Yessir those were the days, I’m 80 now but still like the sound of vintage v8

    Like 3
  29. Avatar Chris Webster

    At least there’s no continental kit and fender skirts. Bonus points for that alone.

    Like 0
  30. Avatar Richard Kirschenbaum

    I was thrilled when we got a ’59 Chevy albeit a white Biscayne sedan. No matter, it was a ’59 and new. My father, strapped for cash then and a sensible shoes guy got this one off the floor from Ben Geller Chevrolet in Chicago. That new car smell hung around for a couple of years. I believe ours was set up for Taxi service because I always felt two up shifts indicating it must have had a
    hyrdramatic, not a powerglide. Was this possible?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Marty Parker

      The Hydramatic Transmission was a 4 speed in ’59. Chevrolet didn’t use a 3 speed automatic until ’65.

      Like 0
      • Avatar KKW

        I had a 59 Cadillac with a hydromatic, but it only shifted twice. Maybe 4speeds was counting reverse. Lol.

        Like 0
  31. Avatar LRP

    As my Father used to say — “You can always come down in price, but
    its very difficult to go up “

    Like 1
  32. Avatar Marty Parker

    They actually shifted three times, you just couldn’t feel the 1-2 shift.

    Like 0
  33. Avatar George Green

    This is a lovely car, but only as a collectible, meaning, you assume the role of Miss Daisy on Sundays and go for a spin around your seaside town, then park it back in the garage. Not for the soccer mom, not the Uber driver, not the realtor, not a work car. Don’t park it on the street, and never valet.

    Plus it cost about the same as the first Lincoln Navigator SUV.

    Crash Test Dummies Auto Insurance.com

    Like 0
  34. Avatar Jeff Wobrak

    We had one of these in my backyard when I was kid. I used to use the trunk for a sliding board when I was 4 y.o. in 1967. I was pissed when it was being towed out of there when I was 5. That was the start of my love affair with cars! That and the 67 Chevrolet SS the guy down the street had, loved that sound even at 5 y.o.

    Like 0
  35. Avatar Luker

    I was 18 when this came out. I thought it was ugly then and think it is ugly now . I recently bought a Honda Accord and C8 Chevrolet Corvette for less

    Like 1
  36. Avatar Richard

    Not as ugly as the 60 Dodge

    Like 0
    • Avatar KKW

      The 59 Buick takes the crown for the ugliest.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Solosolo Member

        I’m a Buick lover but I must agree with you to a point. I don’t think it’s the ugliest, but it sure is up there in the top ten of the fifties.

        Like 0
      • Avatar dr fine

        The Buick is the most beautiful. After Chrysler’s sensational forward look in 1957, GM went into panic mode to develop a new look. The ’58s were an awkward off year, and Buick won the styling competition for the new look. In fact, all ’59 GM’s had Buick bodies. If you compare the Caddy to the Buick, it’s obvious that the doors are interchangeable, except for the styling creases.

        Like 0
  37. Avatar Mark Paakki

    This car altho in terrific shape has a design that only a mother could love. There were many jokes made about the 59 and 60 Chevy. Anything before or after would probably be a better buy. I remember being on my bicycle when I was 12 or 13 over by a farm. A 59 Chevy was stuck between a tree and telephone pole. I stood in awe wondering how this happened. The owner told me he fell asleep and when rumbling thru the grass he woke up when he found the tree directly in front of him. He could not turn to the left for the telephone pole was there so he tried to make it in between the tree and pole only to be wedged in between the two stopped only by the huge tailfins. lol almost funny

    Like 1
  38. Avatar Dr. Earl Chrysler

    LUKER – “Taste” is an ethereal issue. In 1938 Graham introduced ‘The Spirit of Motion’ aka the ‘Sharknose’ design. Americans were typically not taken by the look. In Europe it won awards. In 1983 Life magazine listed it among the worst cars ever. Everyone who sees mine thinks it is beautiful.
    I subscribe to the old saying, “You pays your money, and takes your choice.”

    Like 0
    • Avatar ken tilly Member

      I’m on your side Dr. I came across a “Sharknose” in a warehouse in South Africa a few years ago and couldn’t take my eyes off it. I have never seen a restored one but look forward to the day that I do. Why would anybody care what Life magazine thought of it anyway?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Dr. Earl Chrysler

        Ken –
        Go to Graham Owners Club web site and select ‘Gallery’ to see my two-tone 4dr sedan. Also, earl.chrysler@gmail.com for more info.

        Like 0
  39. Avatar Steve P

    When I turned 16 in 1966, I bought my first car for $400, 1959 Impala Coupe, 283, auto, Gothic Gold with a Snowcrest White top. Sure miss that car.

    Like 0
  40. Avatar ken tilly Member

    @Dr. Earl. That’s quite a website. I do love the Shark Nose. Those guys have done a fantastic amount of work in restoring some of those Graham’s. I’m sure you must have read the book “Spark Your Dream” by Herman and Candelaria Zapp, who have taken their 1928 Graham around the world over the last 20 years or so. I have read it three times and actually have a signed copy of their book when I met them on their visit to the Veteran Car Club of South Africa back in July 2012.

    Like 0
  41. Avatar Treg Forsyth

    Didn’t like the fact I had to sign up for DAILY emails to finish reading this artical, tacky…at least I can opt out anytime…gee thx.

    Like 0

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