Fabulous 1959 Chevrolet Impala Found Next to a 1959 Corvette Is an Incredible Time Capsule

The Impala came to be as a concept in 1956. Chevrolet presented a prototype at GM's motor show, and the public's reaction was fabulous. Everybody loved the Impala, and despite the Bel Air already shining in the United States, Chevrolet rapidly got the message.

The General Motors brand needed only two years to promote the Impala from concept to production model. The first iteration saw daylight in 1958, though Chevrolet used a cautious approach and launched the Impala as the top-of-the-range Bel Air. Available as a hardtop and convertible, the Impala was an instant hit.

While many people enjoy a first-year Impala, few know that the new nameplate put Chevrolet back on the map in the United States. It pushed the company's full-size sales to new heights, eventually propelling Chevrolet to the leading spot previously held by Ford.

Chevrolet sold over 256K 2-door sedans in 1958, alongside 142K 2-door sport coupes and nearly 56K convertibles. The Bel Air and the Biscayne contributed to these strong sales, but it was already obvious to everybody that the Impala was the new cool kid on the block.

1959 brought the news the entire market expected. The Impala was now a stand-alone series, embracing a separate path from the Bel Air. It was the model spearheading Chevy's sales, and despite sharing the same platform, engine, and styling with the other full-size models in the company's lineup, the Impala received the most attention.

The Impala was only in its second year on the market but had already received a major redesign in 1959. The new tailfins became a magnet for customers in the states, making it obvious from afar that you were looking at a 1959 Chevy.

Production of the Impala increased substantially, with over 473,000 units rolling off the assembly lines.

However, Chevrolet embraced an approach that worked like a charm on the Bel Air. The Impala was available with a mix of six-cylinder units and V8s, as the GM brand wanted to offer an engine lineup that was as varied as possible. Eventually, it aimed to make the Impala the right car for everybody who wanted a full-size model and didn't mind paying extra for more options, whether they were interested in a grocery-getter or a boost of adrenaline behind the wheel.

The base unit was the same six-cylinder engine with 135 horsepower. The Turbo-Fire 283 remained the base V8, while the 348, available in four options, was the big block delivering more power. The top configuration, called Super Turbo-Trust and introduced later in the model year, developed 335 horsepower.

The 1959 Impala listed on eBay by Summers Classic Car is a fabulous example that seemingly retains the original setup without a previous restoration. The garage explains that the Impala was purchased by a local car enthusiast in 1983, spending most of the time inside next to a 1959 Corvette.

Both cars have barely left the garage in the last 15 years, and the folks at Summers bought them, hoping to find someone willing to take them home.

The Impala looks fabulous. While it only exhibits minor rust problems, the factory Snowcrest White paint shines like new, and it's almost impossible to believe it's the original finish. The bumpers and the stainless-steel parts also look good, and I'm certain the Impala is even more impressive in real life.

The biggest surprise is that the original floors are still on the car without any previous repairs. The rust typically wreaks the floors and the trunk pan, but the Impala survived the test of time in impressive shape. Except for the minor repairs, the next owner wouldn't spend any time dealing with metal problems.

The engine under the hood is the factory 283. It already runs and drives after the garage replaced the battery, flushed the fuel tank, and inflated the tires. The Impala looks ready for the road, though I'm certain its place is in a heated garage.

The odometer reveals a fantastic number. The car comes with only 11,994 miles on the clock, though it's unclear if it's the original mileage. However, considering everything looks so good, I wouldn't be surprised if it is, especially given that the Impala spent 15 years in storage.

The vehicle is still parked in the showroom next to the 1959 Corvette that helped it get through the difficult times in storage, waiting for a new owner interested in taking home a time capsule. It doesn't sell cheaply, but this isn't a surprise. The car can be yours for $63,900, but the garage enabled the Make Offer button if someone is interested in the Impala but has another deal in mind.