Vehicle Description
In an age where the typical collector swaps classic metal faster
than Mister Rogers changes sweaters, it's hard to imagine finding a
low-mileage, 3-owner bombshell that's been documented all the way
down to an autograph from the time it was borrowed by Richard
Petty. But this exclusive, national award-winning Chevy is just
that, and, throughout 56 years of immaculate upkeep, heavy
servicing has been its sole alteration. If you're looking for a
one-of-a-kind, virtually unmolested collector car, here's your
chance to head the herd!
HISTORY/PRESERVATION
Introduced as Chevrolet's first foray upmarket, the Impala proved
GM's volume car juggernaut had the strength to be all things to all
people. It was the ride your upper class neighbors enjoyed and,
like the original Bel Air, it wholly embodied the time of its
creation. With that in mind, this awesome, second generation
drop-top was immediately snatched up by its first owner in late
1958. That owner, Foster Harris of Dayton, Ohio, purchased the car
from Williamstown, Kentucky's Piles Chevrolet as a gift for his
wife. Unfortunately Mr. Harris' wife was more interested in birds
than antelopes and, after 3K miles of use, the Impala was traded on
a brand new Thunderbird. That's when the Chevy's second and
long-term owner, Francis Mendenhall, entered the picture.
Mr. Mendenhall and his wife fell in love with the car, mainly using
it as a grand Sunday cruiser that provided their family years of
great memories. As those years passed, the Mendenhall's daughter,
Joyce, formed quite a bond with the low-mileage Chevy and would
eventually use it to complete her driving test. When the time came
for Joyce to head to college, the Impala returned to its plaster
garage where her dad promised to store and maintain it until
further notice. After college, Joyce married a future GM manager
who was a hardcore Chevy fan and long-term Bel Air owner. And, in
1984, Joyce's father called to say: "it's time for you to pick up
your Impala." Ecstatic, she relocated the car to her new home and
started hitting the national show circuit where, as you might
imagine, the all-original, 21K mile drop-top was a big hit.
In 2006, after roughly half a century in the same family, Joyce and
her husband finally passed the car to its third and present owner:
a retired neighbor who also purchased their beloved Bel Air. That
owner, looking to keep things fresh, commissioned a heavy engine
servicing that included new seals, new freeze plugs and fresh block
paint. And today, the car rolls as a fully documented national
award winner that's seen only 28,910 miles of road time in the
hands of three dedicated owners.
ENGINE
Lift this Chevy's long hood and you'll find an original, 348 cubic
inch Turbo Thrust V8 that's branded with a correct 3755011 casting
number, stated with a September (I) 19th (19), 1958 (58) casting
date and detailed with a correct "G" suffix stamp. A staple of
working-class luxury, this sturdy 250 horsepower big block is one
of the many reasons the Impala model enjoys fantastic name
recognition. And absolutely every item, from its thick coat of
Chevy Orange paint to its unique, bowtie-branded valve covers, is
functional, reliable and ready to hit the cruise-in. At the top of
the bright block, a Satin Black, single-snorkel air cleaner funnels
wind in to a big Rochester carburetor. At the sides of the block,
clean exhaust manifolds allow oversquare cylinders ample breathing
room by pushing spent gases through correct, true-dual pipes. At
the back of the block, a traditional points distributor sparks
familiar Packard TV R Suppression cables. Cooling is provided by a
beefy Harrison radiator, which circulates water through a series of
pliable hoses. Charge comes courtesy of a Delco yellow cap battery,
which jolts a tagged Delco-Remy generator. All the right details,
including a stainless fuel line, correct decals and a factory brake
booster, are present and accounted for. And the car's Satin Black
engine bay serves as an ideal backdrop for the engine's many
different textures.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Park this topless full-size on a lift and you'll find a solid
undercarriage that, despite the car's Midwest roots, appears to
have never seen seriously inclement weather. Straight, undercoated
floorpans perfectly complement a sturdy, Satin Black X-frame. A
rugged Powerglide transmission, which hangs a correct 3742349
casting number above an October (J) 31st (31) 1958 (8) casting
date, spins a beefy GM drop-out that literally sails the engine
through its power band. Under that capable drivetrain, a lucid
suspension mixes factory power steering with big, power-assisted
drums. At the center of the floors, a true-dual exhaust system
utilizes correct turbo mufflers to weave an aggressive,
full-throttle rumble into a subdued and classy idle. And at the
corners of the chassis, great looking 8.00-14 BF Goodrich
Silvertown whitewalls frame dent-free hubcaps.
INTERIOR
For GM products of the 1950s, interiors are always a highlight.
Naturally, this Impala continues that trend with an eye-popping
tri-tone Green interior that presents very well. At ground level,
Fisher sill plates anchor old school carpet under thick,
color-keyed floor mats. Adjustable bench seats wear retro plaid
covers that remind us of family picnics. The padded and
stainless-trimmed dash plays host to factory instrumentation, a
correct radio and chrome accessory pulls. In front of the driver, a
traditional Impala steering wheel spins speed-drilled spokes around
a storied cross-flag emblem. At the sides of the car, expressive
door panels found simple exit handles between jet-age armrests and
traditional window cranks. And behind the passengers, a cavernous
trunk hides a correct jack and full-size spare tire between pliable
mats and a vintage decklid decal.
AWARDS/FEATURES
Over the years, this Chevy has acquired some pretty serious
accolades. Here's a categorized, chronological listing of the car's
significant milestones:
Scored 942 out of 1,000 points to earn a Vintage Chevrolet Club of
America Junior Award in July of 1989
Scored 950 out of 1,000 points to earn a Vintage Chevrolet Club of
America Senior Award in July of 1990
Invited to participate in the 1991 Meadowbrook Concours
d'Elegance
Scored 972 out of 1,000 points to earn a Gold Award at the 12th
International Late Great Chevy Convention in June of 1992
Scored 952 out of 1,000 points to earn a Vintage Chevrolet Club of
America Preservation Award in July of 1992
Scored 980 out of 1,000 points to earn a Vintage Chevrolet Club of
America Preservation Award in July of 1993
Earned a Designer's Choice Award at the Eyes on Classic Design Car
Show in June of 1995
Participated in the 1987 Detroit Wheels of Freedom Automobile Show
and Parade
Featured in the September/October, 1992 edition of FRIENDS
Magazine
Featured in the June, 1993 edition of Late Great Chevys
Magazine
Featured on the cover of the January, 1994 edition of the Vintage
Chevrolet Club of America's newsletter
Featured in the June, 2010 edition of Chevy Classics Magazine
Featured in many local and neighborhood newsletters
DOCUMENTATION/ACCESSORIES
Here's a categorized list of everything included with this
drop-top's sale:
Vintage marketing materials
A vintage Owner's Manual (signed by Richard Petty)
Vintage dealer and tax paperwork documenting Francis Mende...for
more information please contact the seller.