Fabulous Cars of the 1950s: The 1958 Chevrolet Impala - A Legend is Born

[@Channelscruf]

My grandfather bought a new top of the line Chevy or Olds 4 door every year. He tried to buy a 58 4 door Impala. No such thing. He had to buy this car as a 2 door. Coolest car he ever owned.

[@skinnerhound2660]

1958 Impala's , were a one year body that you either loved or hated. They are a challenge to restore with so many trim parts, interior pieces ect that are difficult to source. As a matter of record there were 17,000 convertibles produced in 1958, not fifty five. I took my first ride in a 1963 Impala in 1964 and thirty five years later I finally found my own . I have a huge love of all Late Greats, (1958-1964). My '63 Impala SS is a Azura Aqua, 327 4spd, A/C, AM-FM Radio car. It is a dream to drive and takes me back to my first ride back in the day.

[@plap.]

That's more than a little discrepancy between convertible numbers. Don't know on these myself as well as I do on other cars out there but for an informational video thats way far off

[@Primus54]

According to several websites I’ve checked, there were 55,000+ ‘58 Impala convertibles produced, so my guess is Adam just forgot to say “thousand”. One website claims that the only full-size convertibles Chevy produced that year were all Impalas. There is definitely some conflicting info out there, though. I saw a sales ad for a classic ‘58 Impala convertible that said 17,000 were made, which might be the source for your comment. Cheers!

[@skinnerhound2660]

@@plap. 55989, I stand corrected.

[@plap.]

@@skinnerhound2660 this all makes more sense. Can now see where his brain fart came from. Hey it happens. Usually pretty accurate and informative. Always something to learn everyday

[@dave1956]

I remember when nobody wanted any 1958 Chevrolet. I loved them and prefer them to the 1957.

[@tomrobards7753]

That was my first car 1958 with a. 348 v8

[@chrisjeffries2322]

@@tomrobards7753 Me too.

[@I-Libertine]

Are you the @Dave Cook who lived/worked in Boston and Washington perchance?

[@jeffreykurth2703]

I like the 58 well above the shoebox Chevys. I have wanted one for more than 40 years. Never did, now never will.

[@nysavvy9241]

Same here.

[@markwatson3135]

I have a 58 Bel Air, Adam you’ll love this serial number 100004! It’s getting restored these days. Always thought the Bel Air was a cleaner design than the impala.

[@RareClassicCars]

Cool!

[@johnready630]

I took 3 years restoring an Impala back in the mid 1980's . Involved a lot of work but the finished effort was worth it. Enjoyed it for several years and sold it. My next project was a 1961 convertable.

[@tcwascawy1]

I am continually impressed by your knowledge of older cars. I particularly remember the 1958 Impala. I accompanied my father when we visited the Chevy showroom at 88th street in Bay Ridge to see the new Impala (and pehaps trade in our stodgy '54 4 door 210). I loved the quad headlights and parking lights, the "sports car look" steering wheel and the triple tailights, and a V-8! It broke my heart when we didn't buy it but, well, it's a fond memory. Thanks to you for your conjuring them.

[@tombrown1898]

Never been a fan of the '57, but love the '58. One of my grandfathers had a dark blue 1958 Delray 4-door. Plain as could be, but a handsome car nonetheless.

[@czechmate6916]

I got a 1963 Impala in 1972 I loved that car. Due to life getting in the way I had to let it go in 2019😢💔😪 I miss that car.

[@SteveTheFordGuy985]

The 58 Impala has a special place in my heart, as a ten year old boy I have fond memories of riding in it all the time with my late uncle who I miss so much. It was painted Colonial Cream & Arctic White top, he had Glass Packs installed behind the 348, it sounded so sweet. I almost never see a 58 Chevy anywhere anymore, not even at car shows. Thanks for this video Adam.

[@davidfulginiti5985]

when introduced in 1958 I was 6 and a budding car freak and I remember seeing the first one in our little town- - it blew me away. A few years later my Uncle bought one with the 348, he dragged raced with his 55! In the mid 60s he taught me to drive in a 64 ss 327 auto convertible. I purchased a 1968 impala with a 427 L72 4 speed in 1969. thanks for your vids!

[@loveisall5520]

I thought, even as a kid in the late fifties, that the '58 Chevy was the best looking of the GM choices that year. My best friend's parents had a '58 Bel Air with the underdash a/c. Rode in it a lot. Great video!

[@edwardpate6128]

58 Pontiac's were pretty nice too.

[@loveisall5520]

@@edwardpate6128 To me, the worst part about the '58 Pontiac (and my parents were die-hard Pontiac people) was the overdone, overchromed dash. The '59 followed the theme but my parents' '60 Bonneville had a beautiful dashboard and that 'Cord' coffin nose...

[@carlc5748]

@@edwardpate6128 Sure agree with on that!

[@carlc5748]

I remember driving my friend's '58 Impala. I thought that I was commanding a sherman tank!

[@donstanley8021]

I am 81 years young, and have a history with 1958 Chevrolets! First was in high school, where I took drivers education using 3 different '58 Chevs - all six bangers! And later, I ended up teaching drivers ed in those same cars. Moving on in life, I had a gril friend with a '58 Cheverolet, and a best friend with a black '58 4-door hardtop with the 348cu inch V8. Awesome looking cars back in the day! And lets not forget the '58 Pontiac, although similar in design, was unique in other ways.

[@michaelsimko7694]

In 1958, my dad's grandfather bought a brand new Impala hardtop. The color was the shrimp pink exterior with the pink interior. It didn't have rear skirts. The grandfather didn't put many miles on it as he'd keep it running smoothly and the exterior and interior in excellent condition. The grandfather passed away sometime in the late 70s before I was born, but the Impala was still in the home's garage. Throughout the 80s and 90s, my dad would sometimes take the Impala out for a drive while visiting his grandmother, and sometimes I'd go with him. He'd also occasionally check on the engine and chassis and wash and polish the exterior. My great grandmother eventually passed away in 2002 at the age of 101, causing the Impala to be part of her estate. The nickname we'd call the Impala was "The Old Chevy". It had such a smooth ride without much noise and a very comfy, firm interior.

[@kenglavens6455]

Great story. I hope the old Chevy stayed in the family.

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

Love the '58s. It would be wonderful to see what was originally planned for the '59 model year.

[@arnepianocanada]

Collectible Auto mag had a story on GM 1st puffy '59s: "refrosting the old cake", workers felt. With boss Harley Earl off in Europe, they mutinied with new designs that he then felt he had to accept - doing some tweaking for show.

[@michaelpfaff6009]

I have the 1968 Impala my mom ordered new. It has 62k on it and still looks new! Us kids weren't allowed to wear our shoes in her car; she put them in the trunk!

[@dtuk22]

👋😀 that 2000 year model really is a stunning design. (Sarcasm)

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, I think it could be said that over the years there was a lot of caprice demonstrated in Chevrolet's constant toying with the Impala name. 😉

[@antonfarquar8799]

The '58 Impala 2dr hardtop bears a striking resemblance from the front end to the down slope of the roof / rear window to the 1958 Cadillac Coupe De Ville . as to your remarks regarding the air ride system - I owned a 1960 Fleetwood which had the rubber bag air suspension system that was inflated by an air pump that ran in tandem with the power steering pump. This parade float handled very nicely especially when you consider that this was in 1972 on bias ply tires.

[@jefweb5043]

American Graffiti is what absolutely enamored me with the '58! Excellent feature, Adam!!

[@canibusnj]

My all time favorite automobile, the Chevrolet Impala! The 59 and 63 are my two favorite years for the old schools. Fender skirts and bumper guards are a must.. and I prefer the coupes but I appreciate the four doors as well. I love them all though. 1958-1970 are the best years. GM quality went down after 70. The 94-96 Impala SS's are also my favorites as well.

[@motomuso]

I once had a '58 Bel Air in which many exciting and wonderful things happened. This has nothing to do with Impalas but I wish I could tell you the wonders a 20 year old kid could discover in an old Chev with a 283. It started with a cross continent drive...

[@loumontcalm3500]

The '58 became an "icon" quite late, well after the tri-fives were long appreciated.

[@tabbott429]

I frame off restored a 58 Bel Air Sedan in 2018. Its rolling art with all the chrome and stainless.

[@MostlyBuicks]

My dad had a 1961 Impala four door hardtop with the 348 and the Turboglide. He yanked them both out so fast and dropped a 350 engine and turbo 350 transmission in it. WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!

[@jeffreysproul9110]

My paternal Grandfather had a 58 hardtop Impala coupe copper-tone with a white top and white trim and spinners. It was a beautiful car.

[@chrisjeffries2322]

Excellent, you hit the nail on the head, on the reason for the one-year model.

[@hynestimothy411]

You just can't beat the 1959 Always loved that year

[@bobhill3941]

My grandad always loved them too with the V rear fins!

[@canibusnj]

The 59 is one of two of my favorite years as well.

[@DanEBoyd]

Another '59 fan here! From the first time I noticed one as a child, when it was a ten or eleven year old car, I thought that those fins were just perfect. '60s are OK, but those '59 tail lights are much cooler than the three round lights.

[@canibusnj]

@@DanEBoyd I agree, I was born in 80. I can't remember seeing any still around in the early to mid 80's when I was a kid.

[@glennso47]

I hate the 59 and 60 Chevy.

[@yukonstriker1703]

Appreciate your video's. True escape from reality!

[@BIGLOVE4TRUTH]

In 1977 I owned a 58 Byscane with the 348 cid motor.

[@bradmichael1373]

I love the styling of the 58s. I remember my dad, who worked in the body shop of a Chevrolet dealer at the time, telling me the X frame on that year was horrendous to work on and fix when these cars were in a mild accident. He said the frame would buckle easily, making them very costly to fix if they were fixable at all. He was glad that feature only lasted that one model year.

[@61rampy65]

That X frame was used through the 64 model year.

[@canibusnj]

@@61rampy65 Until the 65 model.

[@michaelkehm3663]

@canibusnj 1964 was last year for X frame, 1965 and up was full perimeter frame, Google it

[@chrisjeffries2322]

@@canibusnj 58 thru 64 for X frame

[@canibusnj]

@@chrisjeffries2322 Right.

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

I really like the 1958 Chevy's, thru 1964. These were my favorite year car's. Good video. Thanks!

[@67marlins]

Hi Adam, This was a very intelligent, well-researched, coherent lesson on marketing logic - very well done. Thanks once again for posting, and the GM Show Car photos were really wild! Jr Massachusetts

[@joeinmi8671]

Has anyone read about how the 1958 chevy impala/bel air was the most expensive car ever for gm to produce? I'd love to hear your take on that. I love the engineering behind the turbo glide, I think it was way ahead of its time and greatly overlooked.

[@JS.436]

"Most expensive"? Probably. Given the context that the all new for 1958 GM A-body (all Pontiacs, all Chevrolets - except for Corvette and the trucks) became a one model year only body shell(s), yes - I'd agree that it was a very expensive and extravagant thing for GM to do. Not "most expensive" to produce, but only because of its short lifespan. The rush to remain competitive given the 1957 Chrysler products, was a groundswell from GM Styling. The accountants must have been apoplectic.

[@kenglavens6455]

It seems to me that the 58 Chevies and Pontiacs were just scaled back versions of 57 Oldsmobies and Buicks, designed as a temporary stop gap for GM to catch up with Chrysler designs by 1959. It would be interesting to see what GM had originally had in mind for the 58 and 59 model years before Chrysler blew them out of the water in 57. Ironically, it caused GM to design the 58 Chevy because any facelifted 57 would have been dead on arrival, yet this temporary Chevy turned out to be one of the most beautiful Chevies ever built..IMO..a must have for any serious car collector along with the unique and voluptuous styling of the 1960 Buick.

[@GUAMANIANable]

I agree re styling of 58 Impala & 60 Buick - "voluptous" is the word.

[@GMCTIM]

I missed the beauty of these old cars for years the 58 impala, wasn't till my dad got a 58 impala wagon the more I looked at it, the more beautiful it was restoring it ! Love the 58 now !

[@richcoleman469]

Don't believe there was an Impala wagon

[@lavernedofelmier6496]

I was 8 in 1958, my mother was working for a dealership in Idaho Falls. A salesman took us for a ride in a red coupe after the car was unveiled I believe it was late September. Riding in the back looking over his shoulder I remember the speedometer going to 110+ had never been in a new car.

[@desertmodern7638]

Excellent segment. I now appreciate the beauty of this car, after years of overlooking it.

[@walterwright8454]

I always loved the '58 Impala from America Graffiti.

[@ronaldmiller2740]

THANK'S GREAT OLD CHEVY'S ...GREAT VIDEO!!!

[@Sedan57Chevy]

I love every Chevy of the 50s, but the 58 Impala will always be my favorite. The 59 is close, as are the 55 and 56, but nothing lights up my day like getting to see a 58. Part of it is certainly their relative rarity compared to other model years.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Very cool!!

[@jamescalvin902]

Pure elegance from start to finish.

[@JS.436]

For 1958 it actually was the Bel Air Impala. In 1959 the Impala became a stand alone series.

[@Paul1958R]

Whenever I see a 58 Impala coupe I think of American Graffiti

[@fleetwin1]

I didn't realize the 58 Impala was not available in 4dr configuration

[@ernestoclaudodip9671]

The x body was very dangerous in a crash , imagine a side crash..... Anyway I love the 58' design and 59' and 61' , 62'.My dad had a 58' Pontiac Starchief 4 door and I loved it.

[@digitalfutur]

'65 Impala sold over 1.046 million units, a record that still stands today.

[@jaygatz4335]

I always liked the sculptural quality of the 58's. The Impala took it to the next level, with over-the-top, yet tasteful, accents. My one complaint is that the wagons only allowed room for one taillight - I felt robbed!

[@fomfom9779]

Over the years, including when they were introduced, I was indifferent to the 1958 GM autos. In the last decade or so, I have come to really appreciate the two door versions of the GM 1958's; especially the Impala. Thanks for this video. Another trip down memory lane for me. PS My first car was a 1965 Impala, with a 327 and good old Powerglide.

[@dave1956]

I have never liked the 1958 Pontiac, Oldsmobile or Buick. I really liked the 1958 Cadillac, but I have never liked the 1959. I love the 1960 though. I do miss the big changes year to year. I understand why it’s no longer done, but it was fun while it lasted.

[@Primus54]

My first car was also a ‘65 Impala coupe in SS trim with the PowerGlide transmission. Unlike the TurboHydramatic, it wouldn’t leave black stripes from a standing start, but at 15 mph and above one could really start feeling the torque. Wish I still owned it.

[@kroge007]

The 58 two door coupes rear window roof treatment is a testimony to those designers.

[@asteverino8569]

Well done! Lots of info and details.

[@DSP1968]

An excellent overview of this car, Adam. I have to say I always thought the exteriors of these cars were just plain ugly, but the interiors were absolutely stunning, one of the best of '58.

[@riderzinc]

Crazy you think they are ugly, one of the best looking cars of the 50’s

[@Linuxpunk81]

Growing up in the 80s and 90s all of the neighbors who had a Chevy it was always a Monte Carlo SS 😅great video! I love to learn about cars from this Era.

[@EinarLerschen]

That -58 Corvette Impala concept looks amazing! This production -58 Impala is also a good looking car, not so in convertible form but that black hardtop is a looker. One would think thye're desirable? Alltho can't remember a youtube video or tv-series involving those.

[@jeffsmith846]

When I was twelve, around 1966, my brother bought a 58 Chevy two door black with custom added wide gold stripes. It had the 348 with three two barrels. He gave me a ride home from school and opened up the extra two carbs and it howled. When we got home I said to my Dad "that car will really fly with all three carbs opened up" I hadn't learned yet that you dob't have to tell everything that you know. Lol

[@70sleftover]

Every time I see an image of a '58 Chevy it brings up the memory of the '58 Belair that one of my neighbor's had as the family car back in the early '70s. It was black and white and I really must have spent some time riding my bike around their driveway scrutinizing it. I recall the bullet-like taillights and those boomerang-like sweeps around them, plus the patchy body putty above the headlights where there must've been some body cancer! Nice interiors on that era - I vaguely picture their Chevy sported red. We were quite a Chevrolet neighborhood given the father's work car in their driveway was strangely a green metallic '66 Chevy wagon - I remember as a kid thinking that and not the '58 sedan should have been the mom's car! Next door to them was a house with two '64 Impalas, one of which got replaced with a '70 wagon. We had a '65 Belair and the house next to us a '69 Impala.

[@davidw5629]

Beautiful car. My sister's boyfriend had a new one and I loved it immediately.

[@Pauley_in_GP]

Well-done video! I'm a stickler for car details and you covered all the bases quite accurately! Good job.

[@jrgrissinger]

Great video, thanks Adam! I remember some Chevy's of that era had a distinctive high pitch whine when idling in Park. Anyone know if that might have been the Turboglide? I've never heard of the Turboglide before, didn't know there was another automatic. I thought the first 3 speeds were Turbohydromatics. Liked '58's since the one Ron Howard drove in American Graffiti. Last scene with the Impala and they're firing up the smokey radial on the DC-7 as he walks to the plane. And no security!

[@ricksand6477]

Hi John, the Powerglide 2-speed automatics also whined when the car idled in park. 😄

[@paulpeterson4311]

Ill never understand how the 58 Impala has everything on it except the kitchen sink and it still works!!! My all time fav 50s era Chevy.

[@Vegaswill714]

I know that the 58 body style was controversial, but I always thought it was one of the best Impala designs Chevrolet ever offered. I looks to me like rolling jewelry. Excellent video, I always learn something new from your videos, Adam.

[@tedecker3792]

Early 58 Impala convertibles tended to have frame failures. First warning was when doors could not be opened, sometimes complete folding in the middle. I’ve seen one being towed behind a wrecker in Deadwood in the summer of 58.

[@beenbeatenbybishops5845]

Well done. At the end, you had me wondering what the "planned" 1959 would have looked like. I think that there was a great deal of potential for developing out that body design. I would like to think that it would have smoothly made a transition into the 1961 without the incursion of the two winged years '59 and '60.

[@danscott3880]

We had a 4 door 1965 Impala my favorite

[@kencarnley7101]

The first Hot Car I got to ride in was a 58 Impala Convertible in Triple Black. Top down on Roosevelt Blvd in Jacksonville FL.

[@JohnnyAloha69]

Interesting video! Makes me think of my dad’s first car. He bought a basic 210 57 Chevy two door post sedan with the six and power glide. It was a dog but beautiful in a dark forest green. He sold it less than a year later because he was smitten by the new 58 Impala and bought a new one. Funny to look back now because the 57 is a much better looking car than the portly and baroque 58’s.

[@JxT1957]

i love chevy impalas i owned 12 impala cars and wagons in my life and currently own an impala

[@DanEBoyd]

I love the '58 in American Graffiti! Those stripes and the Chrome Reverse Wheels...

[@pcno2832]

1:33 I suspect that roof line and rear glass of the '58 was the inspiration for the 1977-1979 Impala/Caprice hot-wire-bent-glass coups.

[@ajay-xjs]

I've never been into 50s American cars, always preferred the 70s, but now I'm really starting to appreciate the 50s styling. It wasn't just wacky, it was very considered and stylish.

[@cavecookie1]

What a strikingly handsome car. A LOT of strikingly handsome things from the 1958 vintage. Did I mention what year I was born? LOL! Seriously, I like the longer, lower look better, compared to the 567 models, although they're ALL nice!

[@josephgaviota]

2:28 My dad said (God rest his soul) that the X-Frame was a _KILLER!_ He said it let the car collapse in T-Bone accident all the way to the center, which was very unsafe for the passengers. I don't know if that accurate, but as a kid, we were kind of afraid of the X-frame GMs.

[@stephenholland5930]

I think your dad was right.

[@rockdog2584]

I would LOVE to have a '58 Impala (cuz I was born in '58). My choice would be to drop a 409 and 5-speed in it.

[@dearbrad1996]

I imagine that one or two accidents occurred when drivers put their fingers into the holes of the steering wheel. Besides that, one of the most wonderful cars of the fifties

[@glennso47]

My dad was a mechanic at a Chevrolet dealership and he didn’t like the suspension system and the turbo glide transmission of the 58 Chevrolet. They were both trouble prone.

[@bohickity]

The 283 cams where a weak spot, mine lasted to 126K miles. The X frame was bad if you got T-Boned, it also had a lot of flex (try opening a door with it up on a jack.) It was light years ahead of my first car a 53 Bel Air. I had a 64 Impala I junked at 160K. Two years later the junkyard owner was still driving it.

[@sethallison5682]

GM missed a big opportunity with the Impala more recently. The relative success of the RWD 4 door Charger tells me there would have been a decent market for a similarly designed retro “muscle” Impala. And yes we got an Aussie Caprice but it was not cosmetically what I’m talking about (and not marketed or advertised properly) As far as a front drive sedan goes, leave it to the Japanese, we can’t compete anymore.

[@ZGryphon]

Is it just me, or does the back of the Biscayne show car look distinctly Corvairish?

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Nice video thanks

[@clevelandmaker386]

I love the 58 Impala.... especially since I'm from the south and most of the Impala owners with the best paint jobs and rims don't know it

[@morgunstyles7253]

Beautiful car

[@tomdelisle8955]

The design works as a convertible.

[@williamfoster9039]

Great old car!😁👍⚒️🛠️🔧

[@nictesla80]

Absolutely gorgeous car...if only we had something like this to look forward to these days...back then they only promised to get better. Today they only promise to b cheeper but more expensive

[@radioguy1620]

Love the style even though a Ford fan , but the X frame sure looks dangerous in a side hit.

[@votingcitizen]

wow, that 58 looks so cool. Why is the BelAire the big collectible that is seen just about everywhere? That Impala has way more interesting styling.

[@cycleguy666]

Always like the look of the 1958......... costly one year for Chevrolet!!

[@robbrown4954]

Ya know, ive heard the story about revamping the 59 line up a long time ago, begs to question tho, what did their original 59’s look like?

[@billolsen4360]

In the 50's and 60's, the full sized Chevrolet was most frequently the most beautiful car that American manufacturers produced.

[@timothyhh]

It seemed like Chevy marketed the 2000 Impala HARD. I just remember that "1, 2, 3... 1, 2, 3" commercial playing ALL THE TIME.

[@Paramount531]

I love the 58, much more than the 57 or 59. Its design looks best without the skirts or kit that make it look too heavy. The 58 interior is one of my favorites, too.

[@GUAMANIANable]

You're right about the skirts & kit. They really weigh the car down. Without them it looks like it will fly.

[@user-zx8de8op9l]

Well done

[@cjdesign5700]

Funny how the 58...looks remarkably like a Cadillac....although slightly smaller. A Cay Coral is my fave.

[@StreakingTiger]

One of my best friends had the 58 Chevy, but I think he had a lot of trouble with it. I personally never liked the 58, preferring the 55 and 57 models. My sister had a new 62 with 300 HP which is probably the last Impala that I liked. The last Chevy I owned was a used 70 El Camino in 1982 before buying my 22 Bolt EV last year, but I did not buy the Bolt because it looked good. BTW: The Bolt is a blast to drive.

[@donhathaway3234]

In 1969 at the age of 16, a yellow 58 caught my eye and heart. But, where would I get $400? That sum seemed ASTRONOMICAL to me! My dad went with me to look at it. It was gorgeous AND it was a 283 Powerglide. Unfortunately, cars of that era up here in New Hampshire were really prone to rust. Both from sea air and road salt. Bondo made up a large part of the bodywork and the frame was partially eaten away. The first of many disappointing automotive ventures.

[@brucemorris6319]

Always wanted a 58 chevy two door with a 348 engine.

[@motomuso]

7:37 Oh wow - What an absolutely beautiful color on this 'vert! Is it factory?

[@jetsons101]

My top 50's GM is still the 56 Nomad, in two tone of course.

[@meathead585]

best looking ever year for full size chevrolet. So odd that it only lasted one year.

[@kayeninetwo3585]

The '58 Chevy really did have more presence than the '57 in that it was lower, sleeker and more ornate. However, to all of us kids growing up in the '60's, the '58 Chevy was kind of a styling letdown after the iconic '57 model. I like them both probably equally today, but all the other marques from GM in 1958 are less attractive. They were just too over the top, especially the Buick. GM - along with other car companies - learned some valuable lessons about styling excess in 1958 and 9. Nevertheless, I love seeing 1958 GM cars on the street and at car shows. To me, they represent a bygone era and culture.