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Found Something Shinier: 1959 Chevrolet Impala With Original V8 Selling at No Reserve

1959 Chevy Impala 21 photos
Photo: eBay seller revolucion-mexicana13
1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala1959 Chevrolet Impala
It didn't take long for Chevrolet to understand how important the Impala would become for its full-size strategy after its debut in 1958.
The company launched the Impala as a Bel Air version, turning it into the top-of-the-range hardtop and convertible 1958 models. The Impala became a major hit almost overnight, so the GM brand rapidly tweaked its strategy to capitalize on the popularity of its new nameplate.

The Impala gained series status in 1959, helping expand the full-size offering. It remained available alongside the Bel Air, and despite sharing most parts and engines, the Impala was the best option for something not interested in the price but looking for the best Chevy could offer on a full-size model.

The 1959 hardtop in these photos is here to remind the world how important this model year was for the nameplate that eventually became the best-selling car in the States.

The vehicle has been sitting for a while, as eBay seller revolucion-mexicana13 says they purchased it with a restoration in mind. However, something "shinier" showed up, so the Impala must leave for a new home to receive the highly anticipated overhaul.

The car looks solid, and despite the typical rust on the floors, the frame doesn't exhibit any particular problems. Restoring this Impala could be an easy project if you have the missing parts, though the only way to determine the full list of missing items is to check it out in person or order a third-party inspection. The owner didn't elaborate on the missing parts, but they did reveal that the wheels and tires won't sell with the car.

Approximately 85% of the trim is still available. The glass is also around but not installed, and the engine is under the hood in running condition. The mill in charge of putting the wheels in motion is a 283, and the seller promises it's the original unit that came with the Impala.

The 283 was the base V8 on the Impala, and the only more powerful option in 1959 was the almighty 348. However, many buyers considered the 283 the better choice because it offered a good balance between price, economical driving, and power. Chevrolet offered the 283 with 230 horsepower in the base configuration, but customers could also choose from two fuel-injected versions with 250 and 290 horsepower. The top 348 produced 335 horsepower.

The Impala sells at no reserve, meaning it only needs a single bid to find a new home. The digital fight starts at $1,800, and I'm confident the battle will be fierce. The auction kicked off a few hours ago, so nobody entered the race so far, but considering it'll end in approximately seven days, it'll be interesting to see how the price increases as the car gets more exposure.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
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Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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