Posted on 03/04/2019 7:07:23 AM PST by ETL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABHnbtUYEV8
RK Motors
Published on Mar 20, 2015
The 1959 Impala is one of the most sought after cars of Detroit’s golden era, and examples like this professionally restored convertible are great reminders why. Want to get your name engraved on a few trophies? Get to know this awesome Chevy drop-top!
BODYWORK/TRIM
The beneficiary of a frame-off restoration, which refurbished a roster of original trim parts, this classic Impala is a top-notch cruiser that makes no excuses. When you walk up to the car, the first attribute you’ll notice is a spectacular coat of Onyx Black urethane, which has been massaged and buffed to a fantastic shine. Take a longer look at its solid flanks and you’ll see large and highly detailed panels, which create a near seamless profile. And when you study this Chevy for an extended period of time, it becomes very apparent that whoever performed its restoration knew exactly what they were doing. There’s no filler, no hacked-up patches and the car’s straight body presents a virtually perfect silhouette that highlights everything great about optimistic American design!
ENGINE
Lift this Chevy’s long hood and you’ll find a 348 cubic inch Turbo Thrust V8 that’s branded with a correct 3755011 casting number, stated with a May (E) of 1959 (59) casting date and detailed with a correct 0*{G0*{ suffix stamp. A staple of working-class luxury, this sturdy 250 horsepower big block is one of the many reasons the Impala model enjoys fantastic name recognition. And absolutely every item, from its thick coat of Chevy Orange paint to its unique, bowtie-branded valve covers, has at one point been rebuilt, refinished or replaced. At the top of the bright block, a Satin Black, single-snorkel air cleaner funnels wind in to a big Rochester carburetor. At the sides of the block, restored exhaust manifolds allow oversquare cylinders ample breathing room by pushing spent gases through correct, true-dual pipes. At the back of the block, a traditional points distributor shoots fire through fresh Radio GM plug wires. Cooling is provided by a beefy Harrison radiator, which circulates water through a series of pliable hoses. And charge comes courtesy of a Delco yellow cap battery, which jolts a tagged Delco-Remy generator.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
A rugged Powerglide transmission, which hangs a correct 3742349 casting number above a May (E) 26th (26) 1959 (9) casting date, spins a beefy GM drop-out that literally sails the engine through its power band. Under that capable drivetrain, a completely rebuilt suspension is equipped with factory power steering, which makes turns easy, and power drum brakes that successfully counter torque. At the center of the floors, a stainless, true-dual exhaust system utilizes correct turbo mufflers to weave an aggressive, full-throttle rumble into a subdued and classy idle. And at the corners of the chassis, great looking 8.00-14 BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls frame fresh NOS hubcaps.
INTERIOR
Stylistically, there’s a lot to admire about this Impala’s interior and, best of all, it’s just as great to use as it is to look at. Firm bench seats wear retro plaid covers that remind of family picnics. In contrast to the exterior of the car, the stainless-trimmed dash dons an even coat of Roman Red paint; playing host to factory instrumentation, a correct radio and chrome accessory pulls. In front of the driver, a traditional Impala steering wheel spins speed-drilled spokes around a storied cross-flag emblem. And at the sides of the car, expressive door panels found simple exit handles beside factory power windows.
I love ‘50s full-sized cars, but the GM X bodies were not the best of the lot from a structural standpoint. A hardtop version of this car was used to show how unsafe they were. An Imperial would have fared better.
Back when cars had style.
What I like most about them are the things they "borrowed" from American hot rodders and customizers, namely, the wild paint jobs, custom interiors, and chrome.
The ‘59 Chevy is one of the ugliest cars ever made. I prefer the ‘58.
IMO, 55-57 put the 58s to shame.
Nearby neighbor has a ‘61 Impala coupe 409/4speed.
Black with red interior.
The 4 speed is a wide ratio unit, not to my liking.
Sorry, guys - the Chevys got really ugly for a while after the ‘56-’57s.
Years ago, I was offered a straight up swap - a clean coral color unrestored ‘56 Chevy convertible for my ‘30 Model A Tudor Sedan. Been kicking myself ever since.
The 59 ANYTHING is not among my favorites either, starting with the gross 59 Caddy.
As kids we called them the batmobile.
Had a 59 Chev Convertible when I was in graduate school. I bought it from a Duke football player for $75 cash in 1967.
My Dad had a 58 Impala SS. That was one sweet ride!
My favorite classic cars on the planet are the big GM 1959 models. It may just be my age, and the fact that my family toured all over the western US while my dad worked on the electronics of B-52’s and nuclear missiles - all the while pulling a U-haul behind a 1959 Oldsmobile 98.
The cars reek of over-design and a very interesting page in automotive history. After ‘59 they came back to earth - dramatically so.
‘She’ looks like a LOT of expensive trouble, LOL!
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