Vehicle Description
1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible
When the Chevrolet Impala was made available to the public in 1958,
General Motors had a huge success on their hands. Most consumers
enjoyed its great design and many of its new added features. It was
a brand new design for Chevrolet. The 1958 Chevrolet models were
designed under the legendary Harley Earl. It was the first
Chevrolet model that offered dual headlamps and triple taillights.
I always thought that the 1958 Chevrolet models were the best
looking cars made that year. In 1959 and 1960, Chevrolet continued
to be among the sales leaders in the automotive market, with models
that were more radical featuring a bat-wing tail design. However,
one of the nicest looking models in the Chevrolet line was the
Impala Sport Coupe, which attracted many buyers.
For consignment a triple taillight, batwing finned 1958 first year
in introduction 1958 Impala from the bowtie company. This one has
had some work done to it and needs just a bit more to bring it to
perfection or just turn the key and drive away and see the USA in
your Chevrolet-ro-let! This car comes to us via the great white
north where it was born. Aye!
Exterior
The beneficiary of a rotisserie restoration in 2003 through 2008, a
dealer added fender skirt package and continental kit for the rear,
this car's steel shaped and formed slab sides are nicely preserved
and rust free. Gaps are just a bit inconsistent. Chrome and
trimmings are fabulous, and are plentiful. Utilization of dual,
dual headlights and dual parking and signal lighting just below,
egg crate chromed grille and its surrounding "smiling bumper", they
definitely will know you are coming. Large trim spears and other
rear quarter accenting as well as the batwing toppers show off the
beautiful design lines of this car. For this first year Impala and
thereafter a trio of taillights would be the standard for this
model. This one has the batwing chromed topped surrounds and a
continental bumper in back adding to the overall length of this
convertible. A black, like new convertible top is on and rolls up
and down with ease. Add in the features of the wrap around
windshield, wing side windows, dual trunk mounted antennae and 4
swept back trim bars just behind the headlights on the front
quarters and it's a thing of beauty. Rally wheels shining brightly
are now wrapped in wide white radials on all 4 corners.
Interior
Oozing mid 50's multicolor and multi surface interaction with each
other, this interior is in a word, stunning. A split bench upfront
and a long solid rear bench have light gray, dark gray and red
woven striped vinyl inserts, and smooth red bolsters completed with
red piping between these two corresponding surfaces. This holds
true on the doors with a large red surround in pristine smooth
vinyl, and an inset panel which sports the use of an aluminum panel
with yet another deeper red smaller insert panel holding on top of
the door pull/armrest (in black) and the shiny door actuating
lever. Window cranks are here as well. These panels melt into the
dash when closed and frame the seats with a wraparound brushed
aluminum dash front and metal rounded over dash top in red.
Instruments are all GM originals and a trio of Sunpro gauges hang
below this original dash. The steering wheel is original and near
perfect in red surrounding plastic and a chrome horn ring and
center cross flag badging. An Auto Sound AM/FM/USB capable radio is
now neatly and seamlessly installed, as is a Hurst shifter on the
floor which is surrounded by beautiful red carpeting.
Drivetrain
Within the fully restored engine bay now sits a 1958 348ci V8. This
is presenting clean and beautifully, polished valve covers, clean
master cylinder and reservoirs, supple hoses, and wiring right down
to the vintage battery topper to appear original. Chrome round open
air filter covers are covering (3) 2-barrel carburetors now atop
the 348. Only the center carb is currently hooked up leaving the
other two to await their coming to life at your convenience. A
Saginaw 4-speed manual transmission is now installed behind this
triple threat mill, and the rear axle is a 3.55 ratio.
Undercarriage
Rotisserie restoration generally means we can expect a very nicely
restored and preserved undercarriage, and this car leaves no stones
unturned. All shiny black steel framing, floor pans and rockers,
solid suspension in the form of independent coil springs and 3 link
with coil springs for the front and rear respectively. Power disc
brakes are now upfront and power drums for the rear. Also seen
snaking its way rearward from the healthy mill is a stainless steel
piping and glass packed exhaust for quick elimination of spent
gases and a great sound when pressing the accelerator.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and nice driver a few items of note on the in-op
list. Those being the speedometer is inoperable, although the
odometer does clock miles, temp gauge in dash is not hooked up due
to the added aftermarket gauges, the right turn signal does not
cancel, and the horn ring does not blow the horn, although a button
in the left side of the column does! Also in the performance area,
front and rear carbs are not hooked up to the current operation of
this engine.
A rotisserie restoration with a few items of note, but overall very
nice example of this first year Impala. Great design, some
interesting and good upgrades, and a fab interior all come together
to make an award-winning presentation.
VIN DECODE
8176751012
8-1958
1767-6 Cylinder Impala Convertible
51012-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 1767-Impala 6 Cylinder Convertible
BODY NO 150617-Body #
PAINT 1001-Onyx Black
TRIM NO 855-Light Gray, Black and Red Fabric, Red Imitation
Vinyl
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.