Photo: Craigslist
Presented in 1956 and pushed to mass production two years later, the Impala was an overnight sensation. It launched in 1958 as the top Bel Air version, and Chevrolet needed only a few months to sketch the long-term strategy.
The Impala gained series status in 1959, adopting a separate path from the Bel Air and turning it into a backup plan for full-size Chevy buyers.
The 1959 Impala, officially known as the second-generation Impala, received important styling changes, but the engine lineup was mostly unchanged. The six-cylinder unit and the base 283 V8 were the same, while the top choice remained the almighty 348 introduced in 1958.
A 1959 Impala landed on Craigslist a few days ago, as the owner is willing to let it go for the right price. While a 1959 model year is an intriguing release for diehard Impala fans, this model leaves many questions without an answer, turning it into a mysterious Chevy requiring an in-person or a third-party inspection.
As anyone can tell from the pics, the car comes in good shape. It's not a showroom vehicle, but it's not a rust bucket, either. However, the body's condition, the paint quality, and part of the interior take us to the first question that needs an answer: has this Impala ever been restored? If I were to guess, I'd say the vehicle wears an older restoration that also included a repaint. If it doesn't, I believe the Impala has received at least one repaint (albeit the body issues indicate it wasn't a professional job).
The owner says the car has been sitting in a garage for 15 years, but I can already spot rust issues. You'll need a thorough inspection and a lift to check out the undercarriage, but I don't think you'll find critical problems, albeit you're recommended to get a better picture of everything under the car.
The 283 under the hood starts and runs, and the owner says they already completed a mechanical overhaul. The Impala sports new plugs and wires, and all electricals now work correctly. You can take the car for a spin if you're not sure it's worth the money.
And speaking of money, this is the point where we must discuss the selling price. The owner is willing to let it go for $20,000, which could be an optimistic expectation if the car is not original and complete. These are tidbits that should be clarified before the purchase, so ask more questions during the inspection, especially if you have already planned a complete restoration.
The Impala is parked in Greeley, and considering the running condition, you should be able to take it home on its wheels unless you live far away from this location.
The 1959 Impala, officially known as the second-generation Impala, received important styling changes, but the engine lineup was mostly unchanged. The six-cylinder unit and the base 283 V8 were the same, while the top choice remained the almighty 348 introduced in 1958.
A 1959 Impala landed on Craigslist a few days ago, as the owner is willing to let it go for the right price. While a 1959 model year is an intriguing release for diehard Impala fans, this model leaves many questions without an answer, turning it into a mysterious Chevy requiring an in-person or a third-party inspection.
As anyone can tell from the pics, the car comes in good shape. It's not a showroom vehicle, but it's not a rust bucket, either. However, the body's condition, the paint quality, and part of the interior take us to the first question that needs an answer: has this Impala ever been restored? If I were to guess, I'd say the vehicle wears an older restoration that also included a repaint. If it doesn't, I believe the Impala has received at least one repaint (albeit the body issues indicate it wasn't a professional job).
The owner says the car has been sitting in a garage for 15 years, but I can already spot rust issues. You'll need a thorough inspection and a lift to check out the undercarriage, but I don't think you'll find critical problems, albeit you're recommended to get a better picture of everything under the car.
The 283 under the hood starts and runs, and the owner says they already completed a mechanical overhaul. The Impala sports new plugs and wires, and all electricals now work correctly. You can take the car for a spin if you're not sure it's worth the money.
And speaking of money, this is the point where we must discuss the selling price. The owner is willing to let it go for $20,000, which could be an optimistic expectation if the car is not original and complete. These are tidbits that should be clarified before the purchase, so ask more questions during the inspection, especially if you have already planned a complete restoration.
The Impala is parked in Greeley, and considering the running condition, you should be able to take it home on its wheels unless you live far away from this location.
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