NEW PRICE! Frame-off restoration of a spotless west coast car. Beautiful two-tone paint, new interior, rebuilt 283, new brakes and suspension. Runs and drives superbly, ready to cruise!
Anniversary Gold and Aztec Silver were both on the color chart for 1958, and they give this big coupe a glamorous look that will stand out anywhere it goes. The cowl tag says it was originally Anniversary Gold, but the addition of a two-tone combination makes it look that much more ornate—after all, isn’t that the point of driving a ‘50s luxury car? There’s a lot of money invested in the final finish, because the car shows great gaps, doors that swing open easily and latch cleanly, and a giant hood that doesn’t need to be slammed to close tightly. There might be a few minor signs of use here and there, but the car looks great from any angle and just glows in the sunlight thanks to a bit of metallic in both the gold and silver finishes. Fortunately, they didn't skimp on the chrome plating budget, and all the brightwork is in excellent condition, from the highly ornate grille made up of hundreds of individual pieces to the delicate ornaments atop the front fenders to the cool C-pillar trim to the unique taillight housings in back. Have a look at this car—take a close look at just how much trim there really is—and you know it was impossible to go cheap in this area. It's fantastic.
The interior was restored to match the cowl tag with code 846 Gold cloth and vinyl upholstery. Offset with off-white inserts, it has a very tasteful and upscale look, and even though everything is brand new, it was wrapped in a set of period plastic seat covers. New carpets, correct reproduction door panels, and a dashboard painted to match the bodywork tie everything together quite neatly. The steering wheel was refinished to match and all the gauges are fully operational save for the odometer, which seems to have been reset to 0 when the car was restored but it isn't keeping track of mileage. There's also an original Wonder Bar AM radio in the dash, and not only is it fully operational, but it has an FM converter inside which also works with the Wonder Bar feature. The trunk isn't quite correct, but it's very nicely done with a custom floor mat with Bowtie emblem and side panels that match the interior. There's also a full-sized spare tire assembly and a correct jack.
Power comes from a freshly rebuilt 283 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor, more than enough to make the Bel Air feel energetic out on the road. It starts quickly and easily, idles well, and has an authoritative voice thanks to a fresh dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers. It's neatly detailed as well, with proper Chevrolet script valve covers, a factory air cleaner, and correct hoses and clamps used throughout. The only notable deviation from OEM specs is a modern alternator, but that's a smart upgrade and easy to change if you want it 100% correct. New wiring, a big radiator, and refinished exhaust manifolds all help make this a car that you can own and display with pride.
The chassis shows the results of the frame-off restoration, offering ultra-clean floors, lots of new hardware, and no signs of previous trouble. The 2-speed PowerGlide transmission shifts cleanly and with what we believe to be 3.36 gears out back, it's a superlative highway cruiser. The floors are original and not patched or replaced, the rockers are completely solid, and all the factory support braces and seams are razor-sharp. As we mentioned, the exhaust system is brand new and sounds great, while the front suspension and brakes have been rebuilt so it rides and stops like it should. There's a new gas tank out back, new shocks at all four corners, and fresh wide whitewall radials on factory wheels for a correct look but improved behavior on today's streets.
There's a very good reason why 55-56-57 Chevy prices are cooling but the '58s keep going up in value, and it's because there's simply nothing else like it. Great road manners, plenty of power, and stunning good looks make this car a winner today just as it was in 1958. If you're not looking for a garden-variety red or turquoise Impala, this high-quality gold and silver Bel Air coupe has a great deal to offer. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
