Original Fuelie: 1958 Chevrolet Impala
Sometimes a classic car appears on our desks at Barn Finds, and it is impossible to determine its greatest attribute. Such is the case with this 1958 Chevrolet Impala. Its odometer reading of 12,900 miles could be a contender, as is its Anniversary Gold paint combination. The original plastic on the seats means its interior is spotless, but the 283ci fuelie V8 under the hood could be the winner. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in McAlester, Oklahoma. The price of this rare slice of automotive magnificence is $89,900, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting it.
Chevrolet introduced the Impala in 1958 as the range-topping model within its Bel Air range. It was the only year it served in that role, with an updated vehicle becoming a model in its own right in 1959. Although Chevrolet didn’t produce any specific Anniversary models in 1958, it developed a paint combination featuring Honey Beige with an Anniversary Gold roof. It wasn’t exclusively offered on the Impala, with the company offering it across several models and badges. That graces this Impala’s panels, and it looks excellent. We receive little information on the car’s history, but it appears this classic remained garage-kept for over three decades. An enthusiast specializing in ’58 Impalas had been its custodian during that time, and it was his recent passing that prompted its sale. There is no evidence of significant flaws or defects, and the seller states it is rust-free. The chrome sparkles nicely, and the tinted glass is flawless.
Lifting the hood reveals this Impala’s ace. Buyers faced a wide selection of engines in 1958, but the considerable cost of the 250hp fuel-injected 283ci V8 meant it found few takers. It added a whopping $450 to the Impala’s sticker price of $2,800. Considering the most potent 348 produced 280hp and cost a mere $162, it’s easy to see why Impala fuelies weren’t racing out the door. It is impossible to nail down exact production figures, but the seller’s estimate of twenty may be close. Bolted to the back of this fuelie is a three-speed Turboglide automatic transmission, while the original owner added power assistance for the steering and brakes to confirm they were happy to splash their cash. The seller indicates the fuel injection system recently received a service, meaning the car runs and drives perfectly. They state it has a genuine 12,900 miles on its odometer, and although they don’t mention verifying evidence, this Chevy’s condition makes the claim plausible.
One aspect of cars from this era that attracts me is that manufacturers were bold and daring with interior trim choices. This Impala demonstrates that with its tri-tone seats and door trims. They look flawless thanks to the protection of plastic covers. The two-tone wheel looks nice, but we’re flying blind on the rest of the interior. However, with no evidence of abuse or physical damage, I suspect it will receive favorable comments at a show or Cars & Coffee.
This 1958 Impala is an amazing car, and if the seller’s claims are verifiable, that increases its desirability. Its price sits at the top end of the market, but it seems justified on the grounds previously mentioned. We’ve seen a few classics recently with high prices, and like the others, I doubt this seller will find themselves cornered by a mob of potential buyers. I believe it will sell, but how long do you think it will take?
Auctions Ending Soon
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1Bid Now2 mins$7,100
2003 Porsche Boxster SBid Now1 hours$8,000
1966 Lincoln ContinentalBid Now3 hours$500
2000 Jaguar XJ8LBid Now4 days$1,250
1977 Datsun 280ZBid Now5 days$275
Comments
Craigslist seems like a strange place to advertise a rare and $90-thousand dollar car. There’s no telling the type of goofballs that would answer that ad. Clearly, Hemmings would be a smarter choice.
No fees.. sellers figure to make more but Craiglist is full of scams, fake checks, fake buyers, just about fake everything! Run away…
FAKE Sellers ???
Craigslist ad got it featured here.
T Mann,
Fake sellers? You bet!
A scammer finds multiple photos of a much sought-after car, posts the photos on Craig’s List with what appears to be a really good price, says the car is from his/her dad’s estate and they want it gone. They ask for a $1,000 deposit, and when you try to follow up a week or so later, the seller is gone, as is the car ad and your $1,000. Phone number you texted the deposit to is from a burner phone, & no longer working.
The seller claimed to be living in a certain town/city, even giving you the street address, but when you go to file a police report in that town, no one at the address has ever seen or heard of the seller. You then have to file the police report in your own town/city, and that’s all they are going to do, as the scammer is not from their jurisdiction.
I’m not sure why people here like to pick on Craigslist so often. Sure, there’s scammers and crazy buyers, but the same could be said for any platform.
I’ve personally sold several cars on Craigslist, getting my price within 2 weeks. The time wasters were minimal and I’m sure it is like placing an ad on any platform – they are easy to spot.
The key is to place a decently worded ad with the maximum amount of photos. That alone will eliminate most of the time wasters. And if you can’t spot a scam after the first 2 words, then I guess you get what you deserve.
Nice car, how is it that old plastic seat covers haven’t started to yellow, maybe they have been replaced. No where does it say it has a turbo transmission, pretty sure only automatic was the cast iron case powerglide. 450 dollars was a chunk of change, must have ordered it as I doubt this was sitting on the lot. Wonder how he sold his significant other on this car and then didn’t drive it. Quite a find and hopefully it’s kept up for years to come. Unusual car that will amaze many 58 Chevy fans. Well most any late 50’s early 60’s Chevy folks.
I had a 1958 Impala SS in high school, Tranny was TG! I had 348 with three duces but this car is a fuelie!! WOW!!!
3 deuces rock, a fuelie on a whole other level! The first Chevrolet to wear a SS designation was introduced 3 years later as an option package on the Impala. I’m not a huge fan of the 58’s, but the Impala’s were/are totally cool!
Probably the best looking car of the entire automotive offerings in ’58. Nice example here.
This would be the most desirable ’58 Chevy to me.
Close behind a fuelie convertible
I’ve never see an original golden anniversary fuelly convertible , but I suppose there is one somewhere !
Turboglide was a 3 spd auto as an option, dont know much about it but I understand they were problematic. Could be one of the nicest original 58”s left! Comes at a price, though. Good luck and happy Fuel Injected Motoring!
Cheers
GPC
Don’t confuse the 57-61 Turboglides with the later 3spd models.
I have driven a Turboglide and it had a ‘GR’ Grade Retarder gear and a ‘D’ for the drive. Never shifted.
Yes, a Turboglide had a ‘GR’ Grade Retarder gear and a ‘D’ for the drive. Never shifted.
It may have been invented by the Buick division.
This truly was the best,style wise, that GM had to offer in 58. Even the Vettes were chrome laden barges. I detested these but they grew on me in the last ten years. Evenso I think all GM’s were a total belly flop from the Bel Aires and Vettes of 57.
The ’58 better only had the trunk bands that would add weight, and they were appropriate to me. It had enough goo that I had one for 30 years.
My dad had one of these in the garage, it was white with a blue interior and tons of chrome, he was rebuilding the engine but passed away at a young age and my mother sold it to someone who could complete the build however she did ask me if I wanted it ,I said no, I was 12.
The Turboglide was not a 3-speed. It was similar to the Twin-Turbine Dynaflo in Buicks of that era.
My books say the Turboglide was around from 1957 to 1961. An old time transmission man told me in the 1970’s that they were not as strong as a Powerglide, but worked OK if they weren’t abused.
The major abuse was quite a few people thought that “Grade Retarder” would lock it in low gear to drag race, but that caused them to fail. There’s a note in my 1968 Hollander’s Interchange Manual under “1957-1961 Turboglide” about what you needed to do when replacing a Turboglide with a Powerglide. That gives me an idea that it happened a lot back in the day.
I had a 61 Impala Conv with a 4 bbl 283 which put out 220 hp (or 225 no matter). Some said it was a dyna-flow for a Chevy, but the concensus is that it was a constant velocity transmission. In any case they leaked like a sieve because of weak seals. It was my first car, used, so I had no say on the transmission choice.
I’ve owned two 61s w/the 283 4 bbl (230 hp per Chevy). Both were Turboglides, and I never had a problem with either. However, I was well aware that if you tried to drive it like a PG, using GR as a L, they’d fail. It states in the manual that GR is ONLY for slowing down on hills (and it does!).
I’d really much rather have this ’58 Impala Fuelie for $90K than that Split window ’63 for $100K. But since fundzalow I will just continue to dream. But I would change that turboglide trans to an overdrive TH200-4R.
While these prices have gotten totally insane and the majority of us who appreciate them will never own another one, this seems in line. As someone else has said way more value than the split window basket case. I’ve never seen the fuelie engine in any full size Chevy beyond 57 and very few of those. this is as rare as it gets.
What, no curb feelers? Always loved the 58 Imapla.
I thought these were butt ugly in 1958 and still do. It’s like a lot of the Mopars of the late 60’s. The reason they are rare is that nobody bought them to begin with. Those Dodge Daytonas and Plymouth Superbirds would sit on car lots forever because nobody wanted them. They had to make a certain number for NASCAR regulations. Now the are worth a fortune, who knew. This is a nice car, but for 90K, no thanks. Too many other great cars at that price out there. When us baby boomers get too old to drive the bottom is going to fall out of the market. My son is a serious car guy and he thinks our classics are junk.
You sir are spot on with your assessment!
They are rare because they only built something like 1500 or so of them so that they could compete in Nascar 52 years ago. Chrysler likely expected them to be poor sellers. It was win on Sunday sell on Monday -Petty could win in a Plymouth and it was hoped a fan would go and buy ANY Plymouth, just as long as they bought a car
American buyers wanted big, chrome and flashy. That was the Fifties…
The Eisenhower Recession started in 1957 and the next three years saw low sales for big cars.
Manufacturers saw the future and all of them designed small, cheaper cars so dealers would have something so sell.
How else did Dart, Valiant, Falcon, Lark and Corvair all come to market in 1960???
Just totaled a 63’ Nova SS convertible LS3 restomod. It did not like Hurricane Ian and the 6’ of salt water in my garage. I understand what you mean.
Yes the TG was a constant velocity type trans, had a 61 Impala with a 348 and a TG changed it out for a BW T-10 4sp also this car has the hydraulic camed fulie 283 there was also a 290 HP solid lifter version available and those are extremely rare
Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated a strong preference for Mopar vehicles. However, my perspective shifted after encountering the allure of Chevrolet. Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, I acquired a four-door Impala hardtop, diligently restored it, and subsequently sold it to a buyer in New Zealand.
In mid-2023, approximately one month later, I came across an intriguing listing on Craigslist for a 1958 Impala. The vehicle was available for purchase by appointment only, and I eagerly joined the waiting list. After a week of anticipation, I was granted the opportunity to view the car, which had been cherished within the same family for three generations. Regrettably, the original owner had passed away, but I was fortunate to receive the blessing of the owner’s mother to purchase the vehicle and restore it to its former glory.
VEGA please post pix of your restored 58
And its value 2 years later exceeds 150K
Think about that…
T Mann where did you get that info