With one of the most recognizable designs of all time, the rear end anyway, the 1959 full-size Chevrolet, like this Impala, is the one 1950s car everyone seems to know. And no, the bat-winged rear-end will not reach lift-off at 60 MPH in spite of the urban legends. The listing on this Chevy is a little unusual so let’s take a look at it and see what’s here. This Impala is located in eastern Pennsylvania and is available, here on craigslist for $25,000. Thanks to Ikey H. for this tip!

The seller states, “I have owned this car for 40 years. Clean NJ title, and 99% complete. I know it’s a barn find, as it’s been in my Barn and has not seen daylight in all these years“. Hmmm, if you know you own it, and you’ve known it all of these years, how can it be a find, regardless of where it is parked? Isn’t it more like a barn resident that you just happen to own? And, can it be a barn if it looks pretty recent and is built from cinder blocks? Ok, ok maybe I’m digressing on that one a bit. The seller further states, “Solid as a rock, not one body panel will need to be replaced, 99% complete“. It’s hard to tell, considering the quality of the images, there isn’t a single one of the car in its entirety and nary a glimpse of the famous fins! Of note, is what looks like rot in the lower passenger-side fender that doesn’t exactly instill a “solid as a rock” assurance. OK, only one noted potential rust-through, so far, but the body, in places, besides the obvious surface rust, looks to have a close association with Bondo, at least from a skim coating perspective; why else all of the primer? To add to the excitement, this big Chevy is missing some of its very extensive stainless trim. Obtainable? Probably, but at what cost? The seller states that the floors are solid and there is one image attesting to that claim.

One might consider this Impala to be rare but not for the right reason as it is powered by a 135 HP, 235 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine. The seller adds, “The engine turns and has not run in close to 40 years“. So it’s not seized at least but I have to imagine a prospective buyer will probably consider chucking it for something more sporting – this is a lot of steel to move with a 135 HP lump. A two-speed Powerglide handles the lone gear change.

The interior is fair, the upholstery is worn out and the collection of detritus strewn about makes viewing difficult but the seat pattern is visible and it is another neat styling touch from the ’50s – one we certainly don’t witness today. There are some stainless trim pieces in the backseat, perhaps the missing components identified earlier? Cars of this era had rather spectacular dashboards and instrument panels and this second-year Impala is no exception. Chevrolet opted for a circular speedometer in 1959, as opposed to 1958’s horizontal read-out, and subjectively, I think it’s an improvement. The gauge cluster has a nice balance and it is just cool looking; this one appears to be pretty complete.

Finally, the seller admonishes, “Serious only, the price is 25K, not 18, not 19, its 25K, if you can find a better one, please, please buy that one“. I’m not a ’59 Chevy fan but I’ve owned quite a few ’60s vintage Impalas, some with big-block engines and tops that go up and down, and $25K, for a six-cylinder engined version, in this condition, seems like a stretch. What do you think, am I being too harsh, or does this seller now what he has and what it’s worth?