HomePick of the Day1958 Chevrolet Impala hardtop

1958 Chevrolet Impala hardtop

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The ’58 Impala was restored just 300 miles ago, the seller says
The ’58 Impala was restored just 300 miles ago, the seller says

The model year 1958 was a strange one for Detroit, with both General Motors and Ford introducing full-size cars that were essentially stylistic dead ends. And 1958 was the year that GM divisions really slathered on the chrome for top models; even Chevrolet Corvette featured a bunch of chrome flare.

One car that truly stands out from 1958 is the Chevrolet Impala, a new nameplate for Chevy signifying the premium model of the Bel Air series, and with a name that attempted to evoke the agility of an African antelope. Though expensive and available only as hardtops and convertibles, Chevrolet sold plenty of them.

Black paint accentuates the Impala’s chrome accents
Black paint accentuates the Impala’s chrome accents

The Pick of the Week is a great-looking 1958 Chevrolet Impala two-door hardtop that is described as the full restoration of a meticulously maintained car, with just 300 miles since it was refurbished. Gorgeous in its original black that highlights the extensive chrome trim, and with the interior redone in its factory red, the Impala looks like a showpiece.

“Overall this car is outstanding,” the Andover, Massachusetts, dealer says in the ClassicCars.com advertisement. “This 1958 Chevrolet (Bel Air) Impala coupe is a true collector car, perfect in every way.

“This car is very solid and laser straight, and looks like a new car.”

The many layers of chrome accents are impressive, especially the gleaming airflow flash between the doors and the rear wheels, and the air vent above the rear window. The crossed-flags Impala emblem is a thing of beauty. This Impala sports such period accessories as dual rear-fender radio antennas; oddly, the photos show the car on the left side with a fender skirt but not one on the right.

The car does pack some performance.

The Impala sports distinctive styling features
The Impala sports distinctive styling features

“For a drivetrain, she has the 348cid Turbo Thrust V8 with the Tri Power setup (triple deuce carburetors), which is coupled to an updated 350 automatic transmission,” the dealer says.

After spending most of its years in North Carolina and Florida, the Impala was purchased by the current owner, who shipped it home to Nova Scotia, Canada, where it is now located. He had the car restored from the frame up, and has obsessively cared for it since.

“This car has never seen rain nor water,” the seller says. “She is washed with a water-free Mother’s product to keep her completely away from moisture.”

The asking price seems strong at $68,750, but this seems like a special and attractive car that looks ready to win awards and turn heads everywhere it goes.  Although, it could use another fender skirt for the right side, or else lose the one on the left.  Looks weird with just one.

Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen is a longtime automotive writer and editor, focusing on new vehicles, collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. He is the former automotive writer and editor for The Arizona Republic and SPEED.com, the website for the SPEED motorsports channel. He has written free-lance articles for a number of publications, including Autoweek, The New York Times and Barrett-Jackson auction catalogs. A collector car enthusiast with a wide range of knowledge about the old cars that we all love and desire, Bob enjoys tinkering with archaic machinery. His current obsession is a 1962 Porsche 356 Super coupe.
  1. The 348 engine had awesome torque off the line. What a head turner back in the 50’s and 60’s

  2. A slightly modified 293 would blow the doors off a 348. The 348 was a good truck engine.
    The car is still a beauty.

  3. The king of the streets was the ’58 model with the fuel injection system Chevrolet introduced in “57.

  4. This car is very solid and looks like a new car, classic cars are made from a good materials and parts so we can find this car easily in best way and brand. Thanks for the post.

  5. I owned a ’58 Impala/Conv with a 348 4 speed and ran G/S & D/S & held the G/S e.t. record in 1964 at 13.3 and there was no small block or big block could compete with me, much less a 293 !! It did happen to be a “truck” motor. I enjoyed the big blocks put out by GM back in the day and if they were done right they ran extremely well. I also ran a ’63 Chevy/Impala Z-11. I’ve had plenty of experiences with the “W” blocks and never had a problem. Ron Stotler..you are probably too young or have no experience in drag racing !!!!

  6. Would you be interested in a trade? I have a custom 1947 Mercury worth about $80,000 I have always wanted a 58 Impala. If so give me a call at 209-823-1912. Larry I am in California. My car is built right and like yours it has never seen water on it. The motor is fresh and completely chrome pant is fresh and beauitful. There is to much to list. If you e-mail me it is [email protected] I can send you a bunch of pictures. Thank you for reading my comment. Larry Harris:

  7. James Dye I was in my third year of high school , had a job and I was ready to quit school to get that 58 impala. I pleaded with my parents to sign for me to get that car to no avail. It is still this old mans favorite ride.

  8. I had two black ’58 Impalas, both with black, turquoise and grey interior, so that should tell you something. The (ex)-wife wrecked the first one, and I had to sell the second in Virginia in 1989 for financial reasons. Now I have the money, and wish I had kept it. I saved my 1979 Trans Am instead. 🙁

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