Car: Chevrolet Impala 2-Dr. Hardtop
Year: 1958
What makes it special: Impala was produced and introduced for the 1958 model year and was the top-of-the-line for the Bel Air hardtops and convertible body styles. The hardtop models had a shorter rear window and longer rear. The 1958 style was a one-year-only style, and no other series included a convertible for ’58.
What made it famous: The 1958 Impala sat on an “X-Frame”, which made it now longer, wider and lower that the tri-five Chevrolets. It was the first to feature dual headlights, and the tall, sharp rear fins of the 1957 were replaced by sculpted rear fenders. If you had an Impala, you had three taillights per each side, while lower models were given just two, and the wagons got only one per side. Impalas were known for their crossed-flag badge insignias, bright rocker panels and cosmetic-only rear fender scoops. Powerplants ranged from a 185 to 290hp 283 V8, a 250hp, 280hp, or 315hp 348 “W-Block” Turbo-Thrust V8, and you could still have a Ramjet Fuel Injection set-up on the Turbo-Fire 283 V8.
Why I would want one: It’s a one-year only body style that is not only good looking, but rarer than most Chevrolet offerings.
Fun fact: Fans of the 1973 George Lucas film “American Graffiti” may remember actor Ron Howard driving around in a white 1958 Chevrolet Impala 2-Dr. Hardtop.