Fusion Motor Company proudly presents a true classic icon, the 1959
Chevrolet Impala with a fuel-injected 283 with a Floor-mounted
4-speed transmission. This vintage beauty is a testament to the
golden era of American automotive design. This car was a part of
Ken Nagel's car collection.
ALL General Motors cars were redesigned in 1959, a reaction to
Chrysler Corporation's dramatic finned 1957's. Draped in an
eye-catching exterior finished in gleaming chrome and iconic fins,
the '59 Impala stands as a symbol of timeless elegance.
This 59' Impala is an extremely rare example, thought to be the
"Holy Grail", considered the rarest of the rare by collectors of
classic full-size Chevys.
Multiple sources agree that only *26 full-size 1959 Chevrolets
received Fuel-Injected engines. It is conjectured that one or two
of the "fuelie" Impalas were convertibles and at least one of those
was ordered with a 4-speed transmission.
The 290 HP "Rochester Ram-Jet Special" fuel-injected 283 Cu In
engine with solid lifters, 10.5:1 compression, Duntov cam, and 4 on
the floor was capable of propelling the Impala to a top speed of
approximately 130 mph! With the bulk of injected 290 HP 283 Cu. In.
engines going into Corvettes the chances of getting one installed
in an Impala were slim.
Even more unlikely was the chance of acquiring the newly introduced
1959 Borg Warner T-10 Full Synchromesh Close-ratio Floor-mounted
4-Speed transmissions. Production delays caused by a strike at the
Borg Warner plant made it highly improbable, with Corvettes taking
precedence to receive the new "floor speed" transmission.
Sometime after the 15th of May, 1959 someone walked into a
Chevrolet dealership and ordered a Roman Red Impala convertible
with a fuel-injected 283 Cu In engine and four-speed transmission.
A full-size Impala convertible featuring a Corvette drivetrain at
its core!
While looking for parts through a warehouse, Ed Pogue, a renowned
restorer of 1958-1965 Chevrolets noticed a faded red 59' Impala
that needed restoration. On the front fenders, just below the side
spear, there were emblem mounting holes. The only full-size Chevys
that had emblem mounting holes in that location were the "fuelies".
The holes were set to accommodate the "FuelInjected" script and the
checkered chevron emblems that were specially made to fit the
contour of the fender of the full-size Chevys. No other Chevy
carried these emblems making them almost impossible to replace. The
car was complete and intact but missing the engine and
transmission. Ed located a matching numbers engine block, heads,
manifolds, transmission, and drive train components along with a
7014900R "Rochester Ram-Jet Special" Fuel Injection unit.
The car went through a full rotisserie restoration, floor pans were
block sanded, and every nut, bolt, body panel, and chassis member
was brought back to factory specifications or replaced with NOS
pieces. Properly prepped, the body received red oxide primer and 16
coats of factory-correct Roman Red Acrylic Lacquer paint.
Engine rebuild included replacing the pistons with a NOS set and a
Zora Arkus-Duntov-designed cam. The "Duntov" cam installed in the
fuelie is a NOS part right out of the factory tube it was packaged
in. It is the correct "097" ("part number" 3736097) cam with a .012
intake and .018 exhaust grind. All stamping, codes, and castings
were documented and authenticated throughout the process.
The '59s would be the last models styled under the direction of
legendary Design Chief, Harley Earl. In a fitting tribute to his
genius, Junior Johnson won the 1960 Daytona 500 with a '59 Chevy at
an average speed of just under 125 mph, proving that the slick
powerful cars had what it took on the track too.
• This Impala was featured in the January 1995 issue of Super Chevy
magazine.
• Engine: 283 Cu In V8 with 7014900R "Rochester Ram-Jet Special"
Fuel Injection rated at 290 HP with 290 Ft Lb. Torque. 10.5:1
Compression, Zora Arkus-Duntov designed "097" Cam, Solid
Lifters
• Transmission: Borg Warner T-10 Full Synchromesh Close-ratio
Floor-mounted Four Speed, Positraction Rear End
• Production numbers
1,528,592 - Total Chevrolet Production for 1959
72,765 - 1959 Impala Convertibles
26 - Fuel-Injected 1959 Impalas.
At least one four-speed "Fuelie" convertible was built.
David W. Temple from carsofgm - One source indicates 26 full-size
1959 Chevys received a fuel-injected engine while Rochester's
records indicate 37 units were built for full-size Chevrolets.
Chevrolet left no records regarding the exact number of convertible
"fuelies" built with 4-speed transmissions.
Great lease rates and Financing are also available on any of our
inventory!
Buy Sell Trade Consignments Welcome!
Please email
[email protected] or call
1-818-773-8181
Whilst Fusion Motor Company make a sincere effort to supply
information that is accurate and complete, we are aware that errors
and omissions may occur. Therefore, we are not able to guarantee
the accuracy of the information and we cannot accept liability for
loss or damage arising from misleading information or for any
reliance on which you may place on the information contained on
this website or our advertisements. We highly recommend that you
examine the vehicle to check the accuracy of the information
supplied. If you have any questions, please contact us at
[email protected] or by calling 818-773-8181
