Featured is a finely restored 1958 Chevy Impala. This car is a true 50’s era classic and the 1958 model represented the introductory year for Chevy’s very popular Impala and the 58 Impala was a one year only design and followed the Chevrolet Tri-Five cars’ very successful three-year run. The Impala was Chevrolet’s full size flagship automobile. The 1958 model is a popular collector car.
The 1958 Chevy’s came out with a one year only body shell. The 58 design had a rounded look as opposed to the straight lines of the 57 models.
Tail fins were still a hot item in 1958 but the fins on the new Impala’s were really understated.if you compared theirs to what competition were using, The 1958 Chevy Impala had tail fins that were almost concave and sculpted into the rear fenders. Certainly a big difference from what was seen on the 57 models.
Changes for the 1958 Chevy Impala
The 1958 Chevrolet’s came out with their new 348 cubic inch big-block engine. Two 348 engines were offered. There was the 250 HP “Turbo Thrust” version which included a Rochester four barrel carburetor. The other was a “Super Turbo Thrust” and had three two-barrel carburetors. This was the Tri-Power 348 engine.
As mentioned, the body style for the 1958 Chevy Impala was entirely different than the 57 models. Aside from the very different tail fins, the 1958 models had a new suspension. In place of the rear leaf springs were full coil or air ride suspension which was available as an option. As it turned out there were problems with the air ride suspension due to dirt and moisture and many were retrofitted back to the coil springs.
The 1958 Impala came with a new chassis. The chassis was no longer the perimeter type frame. The new frame had rails laid out in the form of an elongated “X.” This made possible a low floor pan. The 1958 Chevy Impala’s were known to be “Longer, Lower, Wider.”
Also new were quad headlamps and a wide mesh grille. In addition the 1958 Impalas came with a two spoke steering wheel and color-keyed door panels with brushed aluminum trim. The model was noted for having a very good looking high end interior.
1958 Chevy Impala Specifications
Engine options included a 235 cubic inch V-6 delivering 185 HP. Two V-8’s were offered, one a 283 cubic inch and two configurations of a 348 cubic inch. The 348 cubic inch was a new option for 1958 and was inspired from a truck engine. These two V-8 engines delivered between 250 to 280 horsepower and the larger was a Tri-Power using three two barrel carburetors.
Transmissions included three and four speed manuals with overdrive and a two speed Powerglide automatic.
The 1958 Impala wheelbase was 117.5 inches, weight of between 3,458 and 3,523 lbs, a length of 209.1 inches, an overall width of 77.7 inches.
Impala production figures during the 1958 introductory year were 55,989 convertibles and 125,480 Sport Coupes.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below..
Reference material for this article includes..The American Dream Chevrolet Impala by Norm Mort...Chevrolet Impala & SS Muscle Portfolio 1958-1972 by Brooklands Books Ltd….National Impala Association…Chevy Impala Owners Club.
The 1958 Chevrolet Impala Collector Car
The 1958 Chevy Impala is a very good looking collector automobile with a unique one year only design. In addition, the 1958 model was the introductory year for the Impala model.
Very popular are the 348 Tri-Power Impala’s which also came out with the 58 Chevys.
Unfortunately the year 1958 was not a terrific one for the automotive industry as a whole since the country went through a recession during that period.
1958 Chevy Impala examples in excellent restored condition can range in price today in the $50,000 to $100,000 plus area. These models look stunning when restored to like new condition and represent a milestone for both Chevrolet and General Motors.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)