Ready To Cruise: 1959 Chevrolet Impala
In 1959, the Impala officially took over the top spot at Chevrolet (having been an upgrade on the Bel Air the year before). Styling was new and highly futuristic and General Motors was playing catch up with Chrysler’s “Forward Look” designs of 1957-59. This ’59 Impala is a 2-door hardtop and has a rebuilt later V8 and transmission. It’s said to run great, so it may only need new paint. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this Chevy is available here on eBay where the seller’s reserve is north of the current bid of $20,100.
The 1959-60 Chevys are known for their “batwings” instead of fins in the back. The rear deck looked like aircraft landing strips, especially on the coupes and convertibles. The ’59 models had “cat’s eye” taillights that were replaced in 1960 with circular ones (triples on each side for the Impala). Sales increased handsomely in 1959 over 1958, but the latter was a recession year, so almost everyone’s sales were up. Nearly 165,000 2-door hardtops like this Impala were assembled.
We’re guessing that this Impala once had a 283 cubic inch V8 and a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. Both are gone, so the car will never be numbers matching. A newly rebuilt 327 lives under the hood now with a TH-350 tranny (3-speed auto). We gather the Holley carburetor and distributor (electronic) are new. It’s said to be a great running car that presents well, though it sports later Chevy Rally wheels and appears to have been lowered a little.
The seller refers to this Chevy as a rare and historic car, though I’m sure that’s noble or accurate, given the number of them produced. The red interior is an older redo but holds up well. The body seems to be solid, and the white paint is on the tired side, with some chips and nicks and missing paint along with a couple of small chrome bits. This is probably a car that would be perfectly happy to be driven just the way it is.
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Comments
I liked these “gull-wings”! This Impala is gorgeous despite needing some cosmetics. I had a ’59 plain-jane Biscayne, white with grey interior and a 6-banger 3-speed. I drove that thing into the ground. The only trouble I ever had with it was sometimes the linkage would get stuck in second gear, so I had to go under the hood to free it.
I had the same linkage issue with the ’68 Nomad Custom I learned to drive in.
Same here, except mine was seamist green with matching interior. Only options on the car were a chrome horn ring and “foam padded front seat”. No radio or heater even! And yes, I had the same problem with the linkage.
Terry, the same thing frequently occurred with my brother’s ’55 210 six 3sp column. Musta been a usual thing for those Chevies driven into the ground,
though my brother’s looked pretty good.
Holy crappola, Batman! Do we really have to believe this is the replacement for the Batmobile? Looks like the Riddler has been working on it! Definitely not up to those 58 Bel Air beauties!
You’re trying too hard Rick!
actually, with the right two-tone paint scheme, I think these cars are very attractive.
I always try as hard and long as possible! Sometimes I just try people’s patience! But I keep on Rolling down one hill and trying to get up the next! As a Vintage 47 model, this is what some of us do with too much time on our hands! LOL to ALL you young whipersnappers. 🤣 👍
Fair price IMHO! Needs some love but kool as is!
I had one of these bought with my 1st pay check as a bullfrog UDT master chief , I think it had a 348???
This car is on my bucket list, but I think this one would suck up money like an up-right Hoover. The way I would want it to be, would just cost too much.
Its only money! Spend a little, enjoy the ride!
Love how they eliminated the cranks for the vent windows, when they redid the door cards.
Holes in the hood say 283 badges.
Liked it until I looked at the body close up… needs A LOT of work, rust EVERYWHERE… and at todays rates that alone would probably take 20k out of your pocket.
Have we seen this one before ?
SOLD for $30.1K.