CHEVROLET

Impala First gen

The Chevrolet Impala First gen was introduced for the 1958 model year as the new top-of-the-line version of the Bel Air, offered only as a Sport Coupe hardtop and a Convertible. Named after the African antelope and developed under Chevrolet chief engineer Ed Cole with styling by Clare MacKichan's studio, the Impala arrived in GM's 50th anniversary year as the brand's flagship statement. The 1958 Chevrolet Impala was longer, lower and wider than the 1957 Chevrolets, riding on a new X-frame chassis, and it introduced the signature symmetrical triple taillights that would define Impalas for a decade, along with the new quad-headlight front end. Buyers could order the 235 cubic inch six, the 283 small-block V8, or the new 348 cubic inch "Turbo-Thrust" big-block V8 with up to 315 hp. Despite 1958 being a recession year, the Impala was an immediate hit, representing about 15 percent of Chevrolet production and helping Chevrolet regain the number one sales spot in America; 55,989 convertibles were built. Because 1959 brought a complete restyle and the Impala became its own separate series, the 1958 Chevrolet Impala First gen remains a one-year-only design, and its distinctive styling has made it one of the most desirable and sought-after 1950s Chevrolets, immortalised in lowrider and hot rod culture.