As much as I embrace the merits of autonomous, electrified driving, I will always love the burble of a good old-fashioned V8 motor with the right exhaust setup. Thankfully, Gateway Classic Cars is always thorough with its listings, and in this case, the accompanying video did not disappoint.
The Pick of the Day is a 1958 Chevrolet Impala two-door hardtop listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by Gateway Classic Cars’ Las Vegas-based facility. (Click the link to view the listing)
To properly introduce an Impala, one must start with the Bel Air. The Bel Air nameplate has become a part of everyday language in the car community. While most attention is directed to the famous “tri-five” Bel Airs of 1955 through 1957, the 1958 model gives off a similar vibe along with a few important model year updates.
Beginning in 1950, the Bel Air name referred to the two-door hardtop vehicles in the model lineup. Later, it referred to a trim level more than a body style. The 1955 Bel Air redesign would mark a significant shift in the shape and engineering of the vehicle, as it adopted a “shoebox” style side profile.
The rise and fall of tailfins took place in the years that followed, and in 1958, General Motors launched a one-year-only design for the Bel Air on the B-platform that was longer and lower than previous models. Notably, the front end received quad headlights and the rear took on round taillights in alcoves at either side. The “Impala” name was first seen that year, and it was applied to top-tier two-door hardtop Bel Air models.
This restored two-tone Impala is nicely finished in turquoise and black, and the color scheme carries through to the interior with a particularly eye-catching tri-tone black, turquoise, and white pattern in the bench seats. The car’s sweeping side profile is accented with rear wheel skirts, and the entire body is adorned in loads of brightwork as it should be. Tucked beneath the rear bumper are dual chrome exhaust outlets, which we get to hear in action thanks to the video Gateway provided.
The heart of this Impala is a 283cid small-block V8 mated to a Turbo 350 three-speed automatic transmission. The car is well-appointed with power brakes, and an aftermarket Bluetooth-enabled audio system provides the tunes (although the only sound I’d want to hear is the V8). Spoiler alert: Skip to 3:48 in the video to hear how nice this car sounds at idle – and it’s even better on takeoff.
“You will be the hit of any car meet when you roll in with this full-size classic in its striking color combination,” the listing concludes. The asking price is $64,000 for this Impala.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Sweet. A relatively unloved model- although with Richie Cunningham’s white/red pinstripe, ’59 Caddy taillights Impala a star in “American Graffiti” you’d think these would be more popular. Imo needs a 2×4 348W motor and a 4spd; still a great car. Nice pick!
Gateway isn’t very reasonable. For starters, countless complaints of orange peel and hidden damage on cars. Personally they’re stubborn and refuse to budge on auction prices.