Vehicle Description
Chevy's 1958 Impala was a landmark automobile, and the
one-year-only design seems to have finally found its place among
the most sought-after cars of the 1950s. This one isn't strictly
stock, but it has the right look, and with a smooth-running 350, a
great color combination, and a few subtle custom touches, it
manages to stand out without erasing everything that was great
about the original look.
The long, low shape of the '58 Impala is easy to recognize, and
this one still wears its Bowtie look with pride. But on closer
inspection, you'll find a car that has been tastefully upgraded in
the early '60s style, giving it a look that's just a little bit
different. Of course, the handsome chocolate brown paint helps and
it's quite nicely done, so you will be eager to get it out to
shows. The bodywork underneath is equally nice, and like all dark
colors, this really is the most important part of the job, so they
seem to have really spent the extra time to get it right. Gaps are
very good and aside from a few polishing marks, it looks very, very
fresh. None of the original stainless trim was removed, so it has
that big, flashy chrome '50s look, although the front grille has
been replaced with a smooth tubular setup that gives the big Imp an
entirely different look. It also carries a set of teardrop spots
and clear headlight lenses, which are subtle details that make a
big impact.
Working in conjunction with the brown paint, the two-tone tan and
cream leather interior has a correct look that's just a little
different, much like the exterior. The pleated inserts are
comfortable and the sophisticated look works especially well with
all the bright trim work inside the car. The original steering
wheel has a matching tan leather wrap, but the wheel itself is
unmodified and it frames the original dashboard, complete with the
wide speedometer and dual temperature and fuel gauges. An
under-dash A/C system is a welcome addition, as is the
AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit, and there's a slick B&M
shifter on the transmission tunnel for managing the upgraded TH350
3-speed automatic transmission. Full-sized comfort really means
something in the spacious back seat, which is set up like a pair of
buckets, and the giant trunk is well-upholstered with brown carpets
that give it a finished look.
The top engine in 1958 was a 348, but this one goes two cubes
better by being a 350 cubic inch V8. Beautifully detailed, it
really sparkles in the big Imp's engine bay. Edelbrock supplied the
intake manifold, carburetor, and air cleaner, and with Chevy Orange
paint on the block, there's no mistaking this for anything else. A
big aluminum radiator up front keeps everything nice and cool, even
on the hottest days, and all the accessories are new, including the
alternator and A/C compressor, which uses R134a refrigerant. The
transmission is the aforementioned TH350 3-speed unit, which is a
nice improvement over the original PowerGlide 2-speed, and it feeds
what appears to be the original rear end. A newer exhaust system
with glasspack-style mufflers sounds '50s perfect and the stance is
exactly right. 205/70/14 whitewall radials on steel wheels with
hubcaps are surprisingly low-key on such a flashy car, and the look
totally works.
There's a great deal of time and money invested in this handsome
Impala, and it offers all the upgrades that you'd want in a car
built to cruise. Call today!