Photo: Craigslist/autoevolution edits
1958 was the year when the entire Chevrolet full-size lineup received a major overhaul, with the GM brand breathing new life into its automotive strategy and using the difficult times to regain the number one spot in the domestic market.
The Bel Air and the Impala pushed Chevrolet back to the leading space, where it remained for a long time thanks to the same models. The Impala eventually became the best-selling car in the United States.
The Impala debuted in 1958 as a Bel Air version, but Chevrolet promoted it to a standalone series a year later. With the Bel Air and the Impala now separate offerings, the latter received everything Chevrolet had to offer in the full-size lineup. The Bel Air was "plan B" for many buyers, still commanding a solid customer base but not getting all the bells and whistles as its more expensive sibling.
A gorgeous turquoise 1958 Bel Air landed on Craigslist not long ago, and its mission is to find a new home where it can sleep away from snow, rain, and bad weather. It spent its entire life in a garage, and you can tell.
If I remember correctly (please correct me using the box after the jump), the paint was called Tropic Turquoise (with paint code 914). The owner says it's the original paint, albeit you should verify these claims. The paint looks incredible, and I'd be quite surprised if it were the original finish with no respray throughout its life.
It doesn't make sense to spend much time discussing the car's condition because it's obvious this Bel Air needs nothing, but it's worth emphasizing it's a rust-free Chevy with several original goodies, including the AM radio and the clock.
The engine is an exception, as the factory unit is no longer under the hood. The Bel Air received a rebuilt 350 four-bolt engine with a 350 Turbo transmission, and it's safe to assume it's in perfect shape. The new engine is one of the reasons you should double-check every original item. If the mill has already been swapped, who knows what else is no longer original?
The (second) owner says they've owned the car for 51 years, so now they're ready to let it go to someone who can take proper care of it. The selling price makes sense, given its shape, as the Bel Air can go to anyone willing to pay $30K. It's parked in Tigard, close to Portland, and it should be able to drive anywhere on its wheels (though you'd want to take it on a trailer, especially if you live far away, to preserve its condition and protect the body).
The Impala debuted in 1958 as a Bel Air version, but Chevrolet promoted it to a standalone series a year later. With the Bel Air and the Impala now separate offerings, the latter received everything Chevrolet had to offer in the full-size lineup. The Bel Air was "plan B" for many buyers, still commanding a solid customer base but not getting all the bells and whistles as its more expensive sibling.
A gorgeous turquoise 1958 Bel Air landed on Craigslist not long ago, and its mission is to find a new home where it can sleep away from snow, rain, and bad weather. It spent its entire life in a garage, and you can tell.
If I remember correctly (please correct me using the box after the jump), the paint was called Tropic Turquoise (with paint code 914). The owner says it's the original paint, albeit you should verify these claims. The paint looks incredible, and I'd be quite surprised if it were the original finish with no respray throughout its life.
It doesn't make sense to spend much time discussing the car's condition because it's obvious this Bel Air needs nothing, but it's worth emphasizing it's a rust-free Chevy with several original goodies, including the AM radio and the clock.
The engine is an exception, as the factory unit is no longer under the hood. The Bel Air received a rebuilt 350 four-bolt engine with a 350 Turbo transmission, and it's safe to assume it's in perfect shape. The new engine is one of the reasons you should double-check every original item. If the mill has already been swapped, who knows what else is no longer original?
The (second) owner says they've owned the car for 51 years, so now they're ready to let it go to someone who can take proper care of it. The selling price makes sense, given its shape, as the Bel Air can go to anyone willing to pay $30K. It's parked in Tigard, close to Portland, and it should be able to drive anywhere on its wheels (though you'd want to take it on a trailer, especially if you live far away, to preserve its condition and protect the body).
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