Vehicle Description
1958 Chevrolet Impala Hardtop
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 tail lights.
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 tail light, subtly finned, 1958 first year
in introduction Impala from the bowtie company. This example has
wonderful wrap around front and rear glass, trimmings aplenty, big
chrome throughout, and just a beautifully proportioned line. It was
a 1992 AACA Thomas McKean National Tour trophy winner according to
the badge on the grille and sports a late model 350ci V8 and
3-speed transmission. Throw on some wide whites and we are
cruisin'.
Exterior
This quintessential late 50s car's roofline is a real highlight as
it has front and back wrap around glass, an angled forward B pillar
and a rakish line for the top off the roof. It's a Harley Earl hit
and it's all bathed in pristine slightly aged Onyx Black which
retains its shine from the restoration presumably in 1991. Dual
headlights lead the way upfront and below is a large shaver opening
styled shiny grille. It has a wide trimming just on the edge of the
hood on top, and a wide bumper below looking fab and shiny. On
either edge of the grille are circular wide bezeled turn signals
and parking lights emulating the nested dual design of the head
lighting above. This chrome wraps around the front quarters at the
bottom of the front wheel well. On the upper edge of the well is a
wide chromed trim spear that runs the gamut of the side slabbed
bodywork. Some italicized vertical bars are on each front quarter
just above the spear. Then the spear takes your eye back past the
well minded gapped doors and tops the rear quarters where more
Harley design genius takes over with a forward facing V spinoff of
the spear which edges what will become the rounded over tail fins.
The rockers are trimmed in chrome as are the beginnings of the rear
wells which use horizontal ribs to accentuate the bump out for the
wheel well. A beautifully rounded trunk to fit the rear glass dives
downward toward the rear bumper and on either side are subtle
batwing styled curvy outward facing V's that make room for the
triple tail lights. On the bottom is another wide shiny chrome
bumper and dual exhaust peeking out from either side. Badging is
all beautiful and the wow machine rides on 14-inch wheels with
futuristic faux spinoff hubs and these are wrapped in G78-14 wide
whites. The car literally appears to be moving forward while just
sitting there.
Interior
Oozing mid 50's multicolor and multi surface interaction, this
interior is in a word, stunning. The door panels open up the
interior world which is screaming jet age. These have black vinyl
framing and an aluminum panel for an insert which looks like a
blunt version of the spear on the outside. Inside, the steely
brushed aluminum is another panel in anodized blue aluminum. Here
we see the curvaceous armrest in black vinyl and the cranks and
actuators. We can throw in another thin trimming on the door's
lowers. Moving inward, a split bench upfront and a long solid rear
bench complete with an armrest in the center for extra comfort are
noted. Both chairs have smooth black seemingly unused bolsters and
the inserts are using white, black and the anodized blue from the
door inserts to create a striped pattern. The inserts are in
broadcloth but have a dimpled texture for extra visual eye candy.
Throw on some more chrome for the hinge coverings and edges. The
dash follows the line of the wrap-around front glass and uses a
central anodized brushed aluminum panel that stretches from door to
door and houses a few gauges, pulls, a radio, and the glovebox.
Above is a full black metal jacket dash upper and top and here we
have the speedo. On the bottom of the dash is another horizontal
black metal panel which has a few dials and the ignition within its
confines. Below the dash we see added in Vintage AC. All this
menagerie floats on clean and thick pile black carpeting. Above is
a tight gray headliner. This interior drips futuristic mid century
modern industrial styling.
Drivetrain
Within the absolutely gleaming fully restored engine bay sits a
350ci V8, and it just gleams as well! This is presenting clean and
beautifully, painted GM red/orange block and valve coverings,
however it is not the car's original engine. A clean master
cylinder and reservoir, supple hoses, and wiring are all like new
and indeed may very well be about in the engine bay. A black
painted round snooted air filter cover is covering a single
4-barrel carburetor atop this 350ci V8. A newer TH350 3-speed
automatic is on back with a 3.36 gear rear axle to turn the rear
tires. Looking very snappy under this hood.
Undercarriage
A show car above and as one can see below with a pristine condition
undercarriage which leaves no stones unturned. All shiny black
steel framing, rust proofed floor pans and rockers, solid
suspension in the form of independent coil springs and a 4 link
with coil springs for the front and rear respectively. Power drum
brakes are upfront and are also on the rear. Also seen snaking its
way rearward from the healthy mill is a clean dual steel piped and
stock muffler exhaust for quick elimination of spent gases and a
great sound when pressing the accelerator. All attached to a solid
structurally sound X frame.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and nice driver. The newer 350 cuber responded
nicely and the car handled very well. It presented with bias free
braking, and all functions were working just swimmingly.
A finely performed restoration with a few very minor items of note,
but overall a 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. Let's go to a
hop!
F58S239487
F-1800 Series Impala/Bel Air/Nomad V8
58-1958
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
239487-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 58 1847-Impala 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BODY S12367-St. Louis Body #
TRIM 806-Gray, Black, Turquoise Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT 900A-Onyx Black
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
