1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Sport Convertible

First-Year Impala: A Legend is Born
Impala! The nameplate that would rocket to the top of the sales charts and stay there for years to come was born as a 1958 top-of-the-line trim package for Chevy's popular BelAir Series. Named for an African antelope, the first Impala was a wildly successful blend of Cadillac-like style and Corvette-inspired performance.

The longer, lower, and wider 1958 Chevrolet was all-new, from top-to-bottom. The striking shape was decorated with enough ornamentation to make a Buick envious. The 'more is better' formula also included new quad headlamps, quad parking lamps, and in what would become an Impala trademark, six round tail lamps. The only things missing were fins - that would be addressed in 1959! This one-year-only body style was an automotive anomaly, even in the days of the annual facelift.

A total re-engineered chassis featured a 'Safety-Girder' X-member frame with a 'Full Coil' suspension. Engine choices included the basic Chevrolet Six and a multitude of V8s, ranging from a 283 cubic-inch displacement with a 2-barrel carburetor to several 348 CID powerhouses with three two-barrel carb setups.

The 1958 Impala shown is well-equipped, with power windows, power seat, and the rarely-seen factory air conditioning.