Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 350-Powered 1958 Chevrolet Impala.
The late 1950s were a heyday for American automakers, when cars had chrome, character, and charisma. In particular, the 1958 Impala was a hot ticket: Chevrolet advertised the car as being “Too New to Be True!” Indeed, the car took the brand a big step into the future. And today, the early Impalas remain popular as platforms for customization. A private party in Santa Clarita, California is offering this stunning example for sale. The auction will end tomorrow.
Launched as Chevrolet’s flagship, the Impala first came to life in 1958 with a one-year body style on the General Motors B-body platform. In the brand’s model hierarchy at the time, the Impala ranked at the peak. In fact, that first year, the Impala was actually a name for the highest trim level of the Bel Air.
Some important shifts in design direction took effect when compared to prior Chevrolet models: The sky-high tailfins of 1957 were softened a little, and the front end now featured quad headlights. The perimeter-type frame was abandoned and replaced with X-rails – reportedly enhancing torsional rigidity and allowing for a lower passenger compartment. There were 125,480 Impala coupes built in 1958.
One of those sport coupes lives on 66 years later and has received custom updates that set it apart from any other. The car blends elements from other GM models from Buick, Cadillac, and DeSoto. Could we perhaps call it a “DeChevuillac?” The Candy Apple Red paint finish is striking with its “ghost” accents, and the door handles are shaved for a smooth look. The longer you admire at the exterior, the more accessories you start to notice. Among them are a 1958 Buick grille, a 1957 DeSoto front bumper, 1959 Cadillac taillight housings, chrome lake pipes, a continental kit, and spotlights. Footwork comes from a set of 13-inch wire wheels shod in Remington whitewall tires.
The engine bay is just as much a work of art as the exterior. Under the hood, we gaze at six chrome-finished two-barrel carburetors, a polished aluminum radiator, and plenty of other dress-up bits to make it shine. The heart of this hardtop is a 350cid small-block V8 mated to a Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission. The listing says that recent mechanical work was performed on the carburetor, spark plugs, fuel filter, and timing.
This big-body beauty is a one-of-a-kind hardtop coupe from the glory days of the fabulous fifties. Place a bid today and make it your own!
The auction for this 350-Powered 1958 Chevrolet Impala ends tomorrow, Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
