Chevrolet: Impala Sport Coupe

OVERVIEW:
This is a very well preserved and mildly restored 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala 2-door Hardtop Sport Coupe.
The firewall data tag provides the following info: Style 58-1847. Body #6352. Trim #822. Paint #930A. Serial # F58L 158568. built in Los Angeles. California.

It is equipped with its original 283 ci. V8 and automatic transmission. and has just turned over 73K original miles. Optional features include power steering. power brakes. fender skirts. spinner hubcaps. continental kit. and chrome exhaust tips.

This Impala was sold new at Ray Atwater Peninsula Chevrolet in Palo Alto. California. It remains true to original without modification and was a totally rust free car prior to its one and only repaint in its original color.
This car is super clean and tidy top to bottom. a rare find.

The present owner acquired the car in its current condition from a friend who had owned it over 17 years. Other than mechanical maintenance and service. neither of these owners had any restoration work performed. both found the car to be totally reliable and roadworthy as they enjoyed the car on several 100% trouble free long distance tours and trips. The most recent being a 700 mile trip in May of 2016.

As recently as July 2016 the car was subject of a government of Alberta vehicle safety inspection and upon replacement of control arm bushings and one ball joint it passed. and also received a wheel alignment at that time.

This eye catching Silver Blue Poly hardtop is stunning and an absolute head turner where ever it goes. and it shows very well. having recently won a Best of Show from a field of over 100 cars.

This listing provides many more details of this special Impala as you scroll thru. followed by a link to a photo album of over 200 pics of this sleek hardtop.

DRIVETRAIN:
The original 283 ci. V8 engine with 2 bbl. carb is easy starting and smooth running.
The engine compartment is quite clean and tidy apart from the minimal dust of its recent outings. It sports a hood liner pad and rare original retainer.
The firewall and inner fenders still retain their original paint finish and patina.

The engine sports Corvette valve covers. but the original Chevrolet scripted covers in ready to mount condition come with the car if you prefer to put it back to stock.

All other mechanical components on and around the engine appear as correct originals. all in good operable condition.
Even the heat riser moves freely and is not seized as often is the case.
All belts and hoses in good condition. nice original rad with no dents in upper tank.
Equipped with an optional windshield washer. but not working. problem not investigated.

The 2 speed Powerglide transmission shifts as it should. no leaks. The speedometer works but becomes a bit erratic over 50 mph. . likely the cable requiring lubrication.
It has a Positraction rear end. with no unusual noises coming from the differential. and no drips from the pinion seal.
The undersides of the engine. tranny and rear end are amazingly dry and show no evidence of any leaks beyond one oil drop hanging off the bottom of the oil filter.

CHASSIS:
The frame and undercarriage are absolutely solid. as are the body mounts and floors. The chassis is overall clean apart from the road dust and dirt of its original miles. All appears as original equipment.
The couple of spots on the X-member where it has worn off show clean bare metal. not even surface rusted.

Suspension system has had recent inspection and required servicing performed. New components just professionally installed include left lower ball joint. both lower control arm bushings. and rear diff upper control arm bushings on both sides.
A wheel alignment was also performed. All work done late July 2016. supported by receipts.
The car rides nice and handles very well.

The front end steering components are tight and steering is good. There is however some minor leaking evident from the power steering control valve and pressure line.

Brake system was inspected at same time. all in good order. Brake master cylinder and booster appear as new.
Exhaust system is in good condition with new mufflers.
Gas tank is not dented.

The running tires are a matched set of 7. 50x14 Coker Classic radials with good tread remaining. They are mounted on original wheels sporting nice correct hubcaps with accessory spinners in very nice condition.
Both spare are bias ply.

BODY & PAINT:
The body mounts and floors are totally original and very solid. as are the inner and outer rocker panels. and rear quarter drop down panels and spare tire well. This car has never had any rust issues.
It still retains the majority of its original factory undercoating which has done its job very well.

The car has had only one repaint. done prior to 1998. in its original Silver Blue Poly color.
There is no evidence of any prior body or collision damage anywhere on the car. Nor is there any evidence of serious rust. rot. or bondo.
All indications are that this is a very solid and honest car that has never been abused or suffered the ravages of winters and salt.
Fit and gaps on all panels is excellent.

The body and all sheet metal are very straight. The paint is excellent. retains a beautiful correct luster. and has not suffered any significant scratches. chips or dings. Appears to be done in a proper single stage paint as opposed to an incorrect base/clear so often seen.
Also appears to have been done at a professional level with proper removal of chrome and trim.
Body and door jambs retain their original paint. as does the firewall. all in good condition.
These elements. and the years since work was completed. are testimonial to the quality of the work and the condition of the car prior to. since any issues of rust or poor quality would have surfaced and become evident by now.

The trunk is overall very solid. however. sitting water under the mat at one time resulted in top side rusting and pitting. leading to 3 tiny pin holes. Some effort has been made to arrest further damage. This is the only evidence of rust anywhere on the car and it is not serious.

ELECTRICAL:
All wiring is original and appears to be in very good condition. A battery cut-off switch is installed at the 12 volt battery.
All electrical items appear to be in working order except the clock.
Stock gauges and instruments are all very nice and in good order. and a spare speedometer in mint condition is included.
Equipped with an optional hand brake indicator light on the dash.

Electric wipers with correct Red-Dot wiper blades. washer not working.
Original Wonder Bar radio is in working condition. There is an after-market AM/FM converter mounted under the dash. The reason for this is that there are no AM radio stations or signals in the previous owners home city. Prince George. BC.
A CD player is hidden inside the Chevy logoed tissue dispenser.

All lights and signals are in working order. and all plastic lenses are in good shape with no cracking or hazing. Tail light lenses are funky Blue-Dots.

INTERIOR:
The interior remains very true to original and was nicely refreshed with new seat covers prior to 1998 at time of repaint. It retains mostly original aspects which are still in very nice albeit not perfect condition.
The seats were recovered in correct original style and pattern. very nice.
Equipped with seat belts for 4 passengers.

The rest of the interior. except perhaps the carpet. is believed to be original and remains in very nice presentable and serviceable condition.
This includes the kick. door. and rear side panels. windlacing and glove box.
The headliner and sun visors remain very nice without tears or rips.

Most notable flaws in whole interior are splits near bottom of driver door front windlace. and cracks in vinyl on rear right side panel next to seat. pretty minor overall against this beautiful mostly original interior.

The original steering wheel is in nice original condition showing only the rub wear of its use. free of any cracks. has a real nice patina.
The horn ring chrome and center emblem are also very nice.

The satin finish of the dash topside and speaker grille is amazingly nice and blemish free.
The speckled aluminum dash fascia pieces are also very nice.

The chrome interior trim at the posts. above the side windows. and on seat sides is all in great condition. as are all the painted garnish moldings.
Original door sill plates in good condition as well.
Small rubber upper door bumpers on body missing both sides.
Good pedal pads. likely originals as very minor wear showing on brake pad.

All glass on the car is in good condition. Only the passenger side vent glass shows fault. small bubbles along rear vertical edge.
All windows roll up and down no problem.

Rubber weather-strips. window seals and glass sweepers all appear original but are intact. flexible and overall still in good serviceable condition.

Paint in trunk and underside of lid is all nice original.
Trunk retains its original rubber mat. really nice without rips. original number stampings on underside.
All original cardboard liners in place. along with original jack.

BRIGHTWORK:
All brightwork on the car is in very good to excellent condition.
It is either new. restored and polished. re-chromed. or very good to excellent original. and in many cases it is difficult to tell which.

Very nice aluminum grille and head lamp surrounds.
Bumpers are in excellent condition and judging by the backs sides appear to be original chrome. a further testimonial to the pampered life of the car.

Pot metal chrome items are very nice and most are totally free of blemishes or pits. This includes the grille bars and tail light bezels.
Only a couple of items displayed any pitting at all and it is most miniscule and barely noticeable.

The car is sporting accessory twin rear view mirrors. door handle finger guards and exhaust tips.
Very nice correct hubcaps with spinners.
All plastic emblems on the car are in very nice like new condition.

There are only a couple of stainless trim pieces with any small dings at all. easily repaired. The only significant one is the left front fender spear which does have a few small dents. however. a near mint early take off is included.

SUMMARY:
Included also is a nice reprint owner's manual and a maintenance folder.

In short. this is a very complete. very correct. very clean. very straight. and very solid example. above average in paint and all other regards. that is ready to drive and enjoy.

This striking '58 first year Impala is as tidy and true to original as you could hope to find. There are no hidden secrets or horrors with this car. Any improvements you may choose to do would not consume a lot of time or money.

If you are considering a classic late 50's North American Chevy hardtop. this could be it!
The body lines and styling of this car make it a distinguished collectible that continues to gain in popularity at an amazing pace. Add to that the economy and reliable performance of the renowned 283 V8. and the aesthetically pleasing color. and you've got the makings of a secure investment and a real crowd pleaser.

PAYMENT TERMS:

This sporty Impala is being listed on behalf of the owner. Please email ‘carsgoneby@telus. net' or phone Rick at (403)534-2222 for additional honest and accurate information from a professional auto restorer. All information listed has been gathered from discussions with the owner and visual inspection. Over 200 pics are available for viewing at www. carsgoneby. com/PhotoAlbumsPro/1958Chev . Additional specific pictures are available upon request. No warranties expressed or implied. Successful bidder to make a minimum payment of 50% of closing bid amount (US funds) within 5 days of auction closing. with the balance payable upon vehicle pick up within 21 days (international) or 14 days (US/Canada).
Payment must be in certifiable form such as cash or wire transfer. Other forms of payment only acceptable with time allowance for instrument to clear bank prior to vehicle being released. Any deviation from. or changes to the preceding terms must be reasonable. and should be requested. discussed. and agreed to prior to bidding and auction closing.

IMPORTANT OTHER:

Please submit all inquiries prior to bidding. and please only bid if you are able and willing to conclude the transaction should you be the winning bidder.
This vehicle is being sold with a clear Alberta vehicle registration (title) document and bill of sale.
The car is located in Calgary. Alberta. Canada. about 3 hours north of the Montana border. Please be aware of your shipping costs before bidding. quotes can be provided upon request if necessary. We can help make this a smooth. hassle free experience by arranging all-inclusive international transportation and brokerage for you. References relating to similar transactions are available. Cars Gone By has sold and shipped numerous collector vehicles to the USA and worldwide. the majority through Ebay transactions.
Please do not ask us to disclose the reserve price. In fairness to all bidders we will not do so and request that you simply place a bid that is comfortable for you.
Thanks for looking!

Also published at eBay.ca

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