Introduced for the 1958 model year, the Chevrolet Impala signaled a
bold new direction in styling, luxury, and performance for the
brand. Chevrolet had long been known for producing dependable,
affordable automobiles for the American public, but the Impala
elevated the marque into a more refined and aspirational category.
Named after the graceful African antelope, the model was designed
to convey both elegance and speed, qualities reflected in its
sweeping lines and confident presence on the road. Built on
Chevrolet's new "Safety-Girder" X-frame chassis for 1958, the
Impala Coupe featured dramatic styling that perfectly captured the
spirit of late-1950s American design. Its low roofline sculpted
rear fenders, distinctive triple taillights, and tasteful chrome
accents set it apart from other models in the Chevrolet range.
Inside, the Impala offered a noticeably more upscale environment
than its Bel Air counterparts, featuring patterned upholstery,
bright trim, and a stylish dashboard layout. Buyers could also
select from a range of powerful V-8 engines, adding to its sporty
appeal. The Impala quickly became a symbol of success and style in
postwar America. Its combination of bold design, strong
performance, and comfortable luxury made it a favorite among
entertainers, musicians, and Hollywood personalities of the era.
Seen parked outside nightclubs, film studios, and fashionable
restaurants, the 1958 Impala Coupe represented the glamour and
optimism of the late 1950s, firmly establishing itself as one of
Chevrolet's most celebrated and iconic automobiles. One of those
famed musicians to embrace and fully enjoy all the 1958 Impala had
to offer was Buddy Holly. The pioneering American rock and roll
singer-songwriter from Lubbock, Texas, who was also inducted into
the Grammy Hall of Fame, Holly was best known for his chart-topping
hits like "That'll Be the Day" and "Peggy Sue". In the case of this
example, chassis F58K113947 was purchased new at Meadows-Stewart
Chevrolet of Clovis, New Mexico for Buddy Holly by his manager
Norman Petty as Buddy's first major purchase following his hit
song. It is said that Buddy Holly chose the Cay Coral paint in part
to coordinate with his connection to Coral Records of New York.
Buddy later gifted this Impala as a belated Christmas gift, to his
family and it was titled in his father's name, L.O. Holley. A copy
of this title is on file. History of this Impala is said to then be
acquired by one of Norman Petty's staff musicians, still titled in
L.O.'s name, before it was abandoned at an Amarillo Texas body
shop. Stored there for a number of years, it was then purchased by
Bill Clement of Chevy Craft in Lubbock, Texas, who was best known
as, "The Chevy Guy". Getting in contact with Buddy Holly's brother,
who still retained the title in his father's name, they were able
to authenticate this Impala as the one Buddy and the Holley family
enjoyed and used. To ensure its legacy was kept alive, Bill Clement
commenced a comprehensive restoration, with the interior being
updated by Can Am Resto of Canada and the brightwork replated and
polished by Plains Electroplating. Beautifully presented in its
original color of Cay Coral with a white top, it features its
numbers-matching 283-cubic-inch 230-horsepower four-barrel
carburetor V-8 engine that is paired with a Powerglide automatic
transmission. During the restoration, tasteful updates were made,
such as installing an exhaust by A&B Muffler, a radiator by
Wilkinson Radiator, and, in a nod to Buddy, a new sound system by
R&R Radio. The restoration is documented by photos and was
featured in various magazines such as *Rod & Custom.* Eventually
this lovely Impala was purchased by the real Peggy Sue Gerron in
2010, for whom the hit 1957 Buddy Holly song "Peggy Sue" was
written. A fitting owner for this Impala, Peggy had been involved
with the restoration and helped identify the car with Buddy's
brother when Bill Clement had the car at his shop. Accompanying the
sale of this Impala is a wide range of documentation that includes
copies of previous titles, previous ownership notes, restoration
photos, and fender skirts autographed by Peggy Sue. Owning this
remarkable 1958 Chevrolet Impala Coupe offers far more than simply
possessing a beautifully restored example of one of Chevrolet's
most iconic designs, it provides a tangible connection to the
golden age of American rock and roll and the legendary story of
Buddy Holly. Combining celebrity provenance and striking late-1950s
styling, this Impala represents an opportunity to acquire a truly
distinctive piece of automotive and musical history that will stand
out within a collection. * Formerly owned by the central and
pioneering figure of rock and roll, Grammy Hall of Famer Buddy
Holly
* Buddy Holly's first major purchase following his first hit
single
* Eventually purchased by the real Peggy Sue in 2010, the namesake
of the 1957 Buddy Holly hit song
* Numbers-matching 283/230-HP V-8 engine
* Comprehensively restored by Chevy Craft of Texas
* Well-documented and accompanied by various records
Introduced for the 1958 model year, the Chevrolet Impala signaled a
bold new direction in styling, luxury, and performance for the
brand. Chevrolet had long been known for producing dependable,
affordable automobiles for the American public, but the Impala
elevated the marque into a more refined and aspirational category.
Named after the graceful African antelope, the model was designed
to convey both elegance and speed, qualities reflected in its
sweeping lines and confident presence on the road.
Built on Chevrolet's new "Safety-Girder" X-frame chassis for 1958,
the Impala Coupe featured dramatic styling that perfectly captured
the spirit of late-1950s American design. Its low roofline sculpted
rear fenders, distinctive triple taillights, and tasteful chrome
accents set it apart from other models in the Chevrolet range.
Inside, the Impala offered a noticeably more upscale environment
than its Bel Air counterparts, featuring patterned upholstery,
bright trim, and a stylish dashboard layout. Buyers could also
select from a range of powerful V-8 engines, adding to its sporty
appeal.
The Impala quickly became a symbol of success and style in postwar
America. Its combination of bold design, strong performance, and
comfortable luxury made it a favorite among entertainers,
musicians, and Hollywood personalities of the era. Seen parked
outside nightclubs, film studios, and fashionable restaurants, the
1958 Impala Coupe represented the glamour and optimism of the late
1950s, firmly establishing itself as one of Chevrolet's most
celebrated and iconic automobiles.
One of those famed musicians to embrace and fully enjoy all the
1958 Impala had to offer was Buddy Holly. The pioneering American
rock and roll singer-songwriter from Lubbock, Texas, who was also
inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, Holly was best known for his
chart-topping hits like "That'll Be the Day" and "Peggy Sue". In
the case of this example, chassis F58K113947 was purchased new at
Meadows-Stewart Chevrolet of Clovis, New Mexico for Buddy Holly by
his manager Norman Petty as Buddy's first major purchase following
his hit song. It is said that Buddy Holly chose the Cay Coral paint
in part to coordinate with his connection to Coral Records of New
York. Buddy later gifted this Impala as a belated Christmas gift,
to his family and it was titled in his father's name, L.O. Holley.
A copy of this title is on file. History of this Impala is said to
then be acquired by one of Norman Petty's staff musicians, still
titled in L.O.'s name, before it was abandoned at an Amarillo Texas
body shop. Stored there for a num...for more information please
contact the seller.
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