This 1959 Chevrolet Impala has landed online with one big mission: it must convince a skilled restoration guy to give it a second chance
Parked, abandoned, forgotten, you name it. All these words perfectly describe this 1959 Chevrolet Impala that has been sitting for God knows how long. This is a car that has just one goal in mind: to convince someone out there to take it home and begin a complete restoration.
The first thing you’ve probably observed if you clicked the photo gallery before reading the text is its overall condition. The car looks like it’s been parked in what could be a farm for several years. The owner has probably decided to let it go, so the Impala is now on eBay as a very ambitious project that needs a full overhaul.
Truth be told, I’ve seen some very rough cars getting a second chance, but considering the small number of photos and the very limited information shared on eBay, I wouldn’t expect anyone to bid for this car without first calling the seller. So there you go, if you want the car, just reach out to the owner and ask all your questions, request a walkaround video, and maybe go there in person to see everything in person.
As a big Impala fan, I can’t help but insist on how iconic this model year is.
The 1959 Impala was the first iteration offered as a stand-alone series. The Impala debuted in 1958 as a Bel Air version and in two configurations (hardtop and convertible), but Chevrolet needed just one year to realize what a gem the new car could become.
The 1959 release marked the second-generation Impala, and just like its predecessor, it became an overnight hit.
Sales continued to increase, so Chevrolet secured the leading spot for another year. It ended the year with 1.48 million cars sold to American buyers, whereas Ford fell to second place with 1.39 million cars.
The Impala continued to be offered with the same engine lineup, beginning with a six rated at 135 horsepower. Many people avoid these cars today, but the six was a fantastic choice for those who wanted to use the Impala for daily driving. It was an efficient unit whose reliability was already more refined after previously powering the Bel Air before and during the Tri-Five era.
The 283 and the 348 continued to be the V8 choices. The Special Super Turbo-Thrust was the top configuration with three two-barrel carburetors. It produced 315 horsepower but carried an extra price tag of $333, so if you somehow come across a genuine specimen today, you’d better not ignore it because these things are rare.
The owner says this Impala was (and might still be) a 283-powered specimen. The 283 was the base configuration, and for most impossible, it was the right choice because it offered a good balance of power and efficiency. However, I wouldn’t expect the 283 to be in good shape today if - and this is quite a big if - it’s still around today.
The seller doesn’t share any specifics, and the photos included in the gallery don’t reveal the engine bay. For what it’s worth, the engine is there, but it might not be in a shape that allows it to be used on a restored specimen.
The engine was paired with a Powerglide transmission whose health is also unknown today.
Otherwise, I don’t think this Impala needs a detailed description because the photos speak for themselves. The vehicle is in acceptable shape, and the metal doesn’t look as bad as you’d expect from a car parked under the clear sky.
The owner says the frame is in “great condition,” but I would still check every little claim in person. The rust damage is obvious, and you’ll probably need new pans. If possible, raise this car on a lift before you make an offer, but considering the rust has gotten through here and there, regular patches might not be enough for this Impala.
On the good side, it doesn’t look like something big is missing, which leaves the door open for another approach. You could always buy this car and use it for parts, though I would rather hope that someone willing to restore it completely comes across this Impala.
As for the price, the owner believes $7,800 is a fair expectation. They also enabled the Make Offer button on eBay, and this option suggests that they are willing to listen to whatever offer you have in mind and maybe drop the price a little bit if they are dealing with a committed buyer.
The car has already landed on the watchlists of 78 people, so there’s hope that someone eventually buys it by the time the listing expires in 23 days. The car is parked in Edinburg, Virginia, and considering it sells without a title, the chances to see this Impala becoming a donor for another car are significantly higher.
No other paperwork is included in the sale.