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Mysterious 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Emerges From Hiding to Make Impala Fans Jealous

1958 Chevrolet Bel Air 6 photos
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Craigslist
1958 Chevrolet Bel Air1958 Chevrolet Bel Air1958 Chevrolet Bel Air1958 Chevrolet Bel Air1958 Chevrolet Bel Air
1958 was the year when Chevrolet started production of a stunning prototype presented in 1956. The Impala was an overnight sensation despite launching as the top-of-the-line Bel Air version.
Everybody wanted an Impala, and once the GM brand promoted it to a standalone series a year later, the Bel Air slowly but surely became a second-class citizen of Chevrolet's lineup.

It doesn't mean the Bel Air lost its customer appeal. The Bel Air and the Impala shared almost everything, including styling and engines, still commanding the lion's share in Chevy's full-size lineup in the United States.

The 1958 Bel Air in these photos landed on Craigslist earlier this week with a strong desire to find a new home, albeit the lack of information could make some people walk away.

The Bel Air fails to answer the most important questions, so I can't tell if the vehicle has already been restored or still has an unaltered condition. However, despite the lack of essential tidbits, the Bel Air looks solid, with the rust not representing an issue on the body. I would thoroughly inspect the undercarriage, as a 1958 Impala likely exhibits floor damage unless the panels have already been patched or replaced.

The owner says the Bel Air has 82K original miles, but no other specifics were shared. The engine likely starts and runs, but you must inspect everything in person to decipher additional details.

The 1958 Bel Air (and the first-year Impala) was available with a six-cylinder engine and two V8 units. The 283 was the base V8 choice, while the 348 was the icing on the cake, offering more power to customers interested in a more thrilling experience behind the wheel. This Bel Air rolled off the assembly lines with a V8 engine, but considering the lack of information, it's impossible to tell if the original mill is still under the hood.

I can't tell this for sure, but I believe this Bel Air wears an older restoration, especially judging from the body and the interior condition. Everything is still in place, but I don't think the car is 100% original – you'll have to ask the owner for such details. The Bel Air sells with the original documents, including the owner's manual.

Unsurprisingly, this 1958 Bel Air doesn't sell cheaply, with the owner expecting to get $28,000. The car doesn't seem to require any big fixes and is likely ready for the road. However, if you're aiming for a perfect 10 Bel Air, a new refresh will be required. The paint shows its age, but depending on what you'll find when inspecting the undercarriage, the car might not need a complete respray.

You can find the Bel Air close to Lubbock, but it's unclear if you must put it on a trailer for transportation.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan Popa profile photo

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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