1958 Chevrolet Impala hardtop with all the right stuff

Always a favorite among Chevrolet collectors, the 1958 Impala was the top trim level for the single-year design that bridged the gap between the classic Tri-5 1955-57 models and the over-the-top extravagance of the ’59 Chevy.

The Pick of the Day is a colorfully restored 1958 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hardtop offered on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Lavergne, Tennessee.

“This 1958 Chevrolet Impala represents a highly desirable inaugural model of a one-year design,” the seller says in the ad. “And this restored coupe has the best of everything – from the glossy blue paint to the big block with tri-power under the hood.

“Every time you take this hardtop out in the sunshine it’s going to impress you. The paint was updated late in life to be close to 1958s Cashmere Blue. It has a nice gloss to highlight the quality of the body panels. And the design is really worth showing off.”

This was the first year for the Impala, celebrated on these 2-door models by yards of chrome, from the racy-looking vent above the rear window to the bright splash behind the doors.  Chrome was a big deal in 1958 for the domestic automakers, and GM slathered the top models in its divisions with loads of the shiny stuff.

“The hardtop styling of the top-of-the-line Impala just looked fast standing still, and you can see how this first-year car truly launched the now legendary Impala nameplate,” the dealer notes. “The sides had full-length bright trim, and starting in the rear quarters began an outline that would seamlessly wrap around the taillights for an appearance like tailfins turned on their side – a very cool iconic touch.

“All the brightwork is essential for the ’58 Impala’s style, and all is present and shining.”

This Impala looks like the kind of boulevard cruiser that one might have created back in its day, with such custom touches as rear fender skirts, spinner hubcaps and dual radio antennas.  Aside from that, the restorer made an obvious effort to preserve the car’s original factory design and trim.  

“This is the Impala everyone wished they had in ’58, and this one keeps the cool cruiser style that made these so in-demand,” the seller says.

The interior has been restored with the Impala’s correct black, white and blue striped upholstery, according to the seller, and its space-age dashboard and steering wheel.

The Impala also shows beautifully under the hood, the dealer adds, with an impressive big-block V8 providing the power.

“1958 is a very desirable year because it was the first time the big-block V8 was available in passenger cars,” the seller says. “If you were really lucky, a 348 cubic-inch motor came with the tri-power (triple two-barrel carburetor) setup you see here.”

The asking price for this well-equipped Impala is $69,995 To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day