Original 348: 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible
A celebrity ownership history poses a unique challenge with classic cars. It is sometimes difficult to determine whether it adds to a vehicle’s potential value or if it merely provides an interesting sidebar to that car’s story. I tend to be conservative on the subject. I believe that unless that car forms an integral part of a person’s image, it will unlikely make an appreciable difference. Such is the story with this 1960 Chevrolet Impala Convertible. It once served as the daily driver for former Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus. It appears to have spent years in storage but is ready to find a new home with someone who can recapture its glory days. The seller has listed the Impala here on eBay in Fruita, Colorado. Frantic bidding has pushed the price past the reserve to $22,150.
Chevrolet’s Second Generation Impala enjoyed a very short production run, which wasn’t unusual during that era. It graced showroom floors in 1959 and 1960 before being replaced with a new model in 1961. During this period, Orval Faubus served as the Governor of Arkansas, purchasing a new Impala Convertible as his daily driver in 1960. He retained the car until 1963, and there are rumors that many prominent people rode in this classic due to his political connections. The car’s second owner purchased the Impala in 1963, using it regularly until parking it in a barn. It remained there, untouched, for fifty-five years. It recently emerged, and even a brief inspection supports the seller’s claim that its restoration won’t be for the faint-hearted. Its Ermine White and Roman Red paint is almost a memory, with surface corrosion coating significant exterior areas. That is a precursor to what hides beneath because there is considerable rust in the floors and trunk pan. The problems are beyond simple patches; wholesale steel replacement is the only solution. The White power top has disintegrated, although the frame is intact and restorable. The chrome and bright trim look surprisingly good, and while some glass is cracked, other pieces are fit for reuse.
Chevrolet introduced the 348ci big-block V8 to its passenger car range in 1958, and it is this motor that we find beneath the Impala’s imposing hood. The rest of the drivetrain includes a two-speed Powerglide transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The 348 produced 250hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque, providing performance that most owners found easily acceptable. The seller confirms that this drop-top is numbers-matching, and the short history of active service makes the claim of 52,000 original miles seem plausible. It hasn’t fired a shot since being parked fifty-five years ago, but it is mechanically complete. The listing suggests that the engine turns, but after five decades of inactivity, budgeting for a full mechanical rebuild would be wise.
This Impala’s interior doesn’t make a positive impression, with every upholstered surface shredded beyond salvation. However, there are positive points to consider. It is complete, with crucial items like the seats and factory radio intact. The bright trim is in good order and should respond positively to careful work with a high-quality polish. A quick online search unearthed trim kits containing everything required to return the interior to its former glory. The one I located cost nearly $4,000, but I’m sure a more thorough search will provide cheaper alternatives.
I am a realist and believe that the ownership history adds little to the potential value of this 1960 Impala Convertible. Unless the world had been flooded with images of Governor Faubus behind the wheel at that time, it serves as little more than an interesting fact that could start conversations. I agree with the seller that this restoration is not for the faint-hearted, but the fifty-seven bids submitted suggest people are willing to take it on. Do you feel that brave, or is this more than you could handle?
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Comments
My biggest question here is which celebrity was it that took that large bite out of the right front fender?
Mad-dog Mike illegitimate son of Rusty Oleum.
This car is in very rough shape. I’d love to see it restored, but $22,000 for this? What could it possibly go for if restored, a million?!?
One Million Argentine Pesos maybe, or about $9.43 usd.
That $22,000 is ridiculous so it must be Argentine Pesos.
The fact that it’s a convertible and was a former governors car should add some value , but the biggest downside is , the poor condition . It’s going to need a frame off restoration with many replacement parts ( mainly body & paint ) . This could require a lot of time and money to restore this ’60 Impala to like new condition . Somebody out there maybe more than willing to take on this massive work . They will reap the rewards later down the road ! Happy Motoring
You’re really brave or have deep pockets if you go after this one. Especially for $22K buy in. I restored a 63 Impala convertible that was a bit better than this one in 1991. 43,000 original miles, 327 Powerglide, PS, PB, factory AC, tilt steering and power trunk release. I paid for the interior, top, and chrome, the restoration shop did paint, body, and some assembly. I did the rest.
I paid $800 for it and everybody thought I was nuts. I figured that the 327, 3.07:1 Posi rear end, and the convertible parts were worth more than that. $16,000 later and a couple thousand hours of labor, it was done and I still have it.
The question I have is . . why can the original owner of my car, the Postmaster from Palmyra VA who bought in new (I talked to him in 1993) afford a car with factory Air, tilt steering and power trunk release, and the Governor of Arkansas can’t afford factory A/C in 1960?
I’ve been a lot of places, but never to Arkansas, but I suspect it gets hotter there than VA. I’m guessing that the Postmaster in Palmyra VA probably did a lot more work than the Governor of Arkansas did, so I guess it worked out just fine.
How many 1960 vehicles have you ever seen with A/C?
Having grown up in the south, plenty.
I live in Arkansas and have a 64 SS and 62 SS with AC.
it’s a convertible…put the top down BAM …A/C
Funny how that works. I have 59 convertible that I bought in 1982 from the original owner that was a taxi driver and living in the northeast he opted for factory ac, ps, pb, power windows, seat, dimmer, signal seek radio, padded dash but only went for a 283 to pull it around. Same with my 64 rag. Every accessory she could get, even cruise. This car here was likely grabs off the local lot when JFK came to town, used only that one time and who knows. Look how many 64 convertibles were at Dallas that fateful day in the motorcade.
The seller is a dealer, he’s going to say whatever he can to increase the sale price.
I’m surprised this was featured rather than the mid-70’s short bed fleetside K10 he’s also got listed, which has considerably more interest.
Steve R
If wanting to have the originality of the 348 be subject to the least amount of doubt, why in the world would you install brand new deck lid flags and grill emblem??? If he original 348 emblems were there and in the same condition as the car, that would be a lot easier to believe. Also, shouldn’t the quarter stripe flags be gold plated on a 348 car?
uuuuuuuweeeeee!!!!!!
If the car belonged to jfk maybe? But otherwise you can get a great survivor in much better shape for a lot less money and drive it home 🏡
Maybe some chevrolet experts here can explain the Carter WCFB, I’m really curious
Unless the good Guv’nor left a hundred thousand dollars in the glove box? This Impeller is overpriced.
well it will take deep pockets and a high end shop to bring her back, but it can be done and its worth it
Considering who Orval Faubus was, I think the fact that he drove this car would reduce its value.
Expensive car, expensive restoration, if you can afford the buy in and restoration, good for you. If not better keep looking.
I have to believe that you could find a halfway decent, already restored one of these for a similar price.
I think it was previously owned by Fred Flintstone, upon seeing the lack of floors and the pavement beneath one’s feet! Yabba-Dabba-Doo!
Erich, to put it mildly ,you are slightly behind the power curve ,nice restored convertibles of this era or are a 100 grand plus!
I think that buyers are looking to take the VIN and convertible parts from this and turn a good condition hardtop into a convertible. This would make a $30-50k hardtop into a $125k car pretty easily and be undetectable. The remaining parts would be worth many thousands if parted out as well. Just the trim below the front grill is $500! I know because I have both a 60 hardtop and a 60 convertible myself.
Insulting price this guy thinks he’s smart.the opposite is true.
With all due respect to anyone with a different opinion, I have to ask why are people so delusional about the value of these old pigs. There’s nothing there. You want one? Go buy original plans and have one fabricated from the ground up. It’ll probably cost way less than buying that POJ and dropping 50-100 restoring it to just a nice looking driver. There’s nothing there!? NOTHING.
In addendum to your response. Who in their right mind would buy a quilt patched up car knowing it’s just a matter of time it’s going to fall apart. It’s upsetting to me how people drive up costs of even eggs and it’s usually those that aren’t from here. Rust is not on my investment list.
As expected, it’s sold. Understandable that many….and almost unanimous in the comments here, would be negative to the thought of bringing such a car back. But it’s not always about crunching numbers to determine whether or not you’ll be ultimately upside down on the cost -to-value. Hell, most cars, unless they started in extremely good condition do end up upside down if you really want it perfect. Not all projects are for everybody or popular. But I respect people who can look at something like this, love the subject and want to bring it back. You can’t put a price on the enjoyment of doing it, and that needs to be factored into such a project. To each his own, but I know that when we take on a car like this and go through the process to ultimately hit the road with a car that will be as stunning as this can be if handled right, it’s worth it and for me it takes any thoughts of upside down or not out of the picture.
If you think the asking price for this stuff is high, keep up the attitude that it’s better to scrap things like this rather than give it a chance…then see where the prices go for what’s left.
Looks like it’s gonna rain in the photo with all the dark clouds and if it does start raining it can be left outside without worrying about covering it up!