Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Craigslist
The year was 1958, and after previously presenting the Impala as a concept in 1956, General Motors decided to give the green light to a model whose popularity exploded in its first years on the market.
Impala came to be as the top Chevrolet Bel Air version, obviously sharing all parts and engines with its parent model.
The base units were the same as on the Bel Air, so the first engine customers could get was the lazy 235 (3.8-liter), rated at just 145 horsepower. Without a doubt, it wasn't the right choice for those who wanted a large car to also be fast, but Blue Flame served its purpose just right.
The base V8 was the 283 (4.3-liter), later becoming one of the most popular Impala engines. The standard version was fitted with a two-barrel carburetor and produced 185 horsepower, whereas the optional sibling came with a four-barrel unit and generated 230 horsepower.
The 348 was the icing on the cake, with Chevrolet offering multiple versions with different power outputs. The top one was called Special Super Turbo Thrust and developed 315 horsepower.
The Impala I recently discovered on Craigslist rolled off the assembly lines with a 348, but that's pretty much everything I know about the engine at this point. The seller did not provide any further specifics, and while the engine still looks to be there, I can hardly figure out more details considering the potato-quality pics.
The listing is extremely scarce, and all the essential details are missing. While the owner says the car still flexes the original engine and transmission, we know nothing about the car's condition. Does the engine start? Is anything missing? How rusty is it? These are all questions left without an answer right now, so any potential buyer should just ask them all before committing to a purchase.
The original American metal is on the car, and some of the pics seem to reveal the typical amount of rust on a model this old. The undersides have already been wrecked, so it's probably safe to assume this Impala needs new floors and probably a new trunk pan too.
A 1958 Impala is an intriguing find, but the lack of details could make many potential buyers walk away. If anything, a thorough inspection in person should help decipher everything and determine whether the car is worth restoration.
The selling price more or less makes sense, given the 1958 Impala is a special car. The owner wants to get around $8,000 for the vehicle, though without a working engine, it's hard to believe they could sell the car for that much. You can see the Impala live near Tallahassee, and taking it home will also require towing.
The base units were the same as on the Bel Air, so the first engine customers could get was the lazy 235 (3.8-liter), rated at just 145 horsepower. Without a doubt, it wasn't the right choice for those who wanted a large car to also be fast, but Blue Flame served its purpose just right.
The base V8 was the 283 (4.3-liter), later becoming one of the most popular Impala engines. The standard version was fitted with a two-barrel carburetor and produced 185 horsepower, whereas the optional sibling came with a four-barrel unit and generated 230 horsepower.
The 348 was the icing on the cake, with Chevrolet offering multiple versions with different power outputs. The top one was called Special Super Turbo Thrust and developed 315 horsepower.
The Impala I recently discovered on Craigslist rolled off the assembly lines with a 348, but that's pretty much everything I know about the engine at this point. The seller did not provide any further specifics, and while the engine still looks to be there, I can hardly figure out more details considering the potato-quality pics.
The listing is extremely scarce, and all the essential details are missing. While the owner says the car still flexes the original engine and transmission, we know nothing about the car's condition. Does the engine start? Is anything missing? How rusty is it? These are all questions left without an answer right now, so any potential buyer should just ask them all before committing to a purchase.
The original American metal is on the car, and some of the pics seem to reveal the typical amount of rust on a model this old. The undersides have already been wrecked, so it's probably safe to assume this Impala needs new floors and probably a new trunk pan too.
A 1958 Impala is an intriguing find, but the lack of details could make many potential buyers walk away. If anything, a thorough inspection in person should help decipher everything and determine whether the car is worth restoration.
The selling price more or less makes sense, given the 1958 Impala is a special car. The owner wants to get around $8,000 for the vehicle, though without a working engine, it's hard to believe they could sell the car for that much. You can see the Impala live near Tallahassee, and taking it home will also require towing.
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