Today’s car is a 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala 2 door Sport Coupe that is owned by Mary. I photographed this car at Marina del Rey Cars and Coffee located at the Starbucks at 4724 1/2 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA, The car is finished in a two-tone combination of Anniversary Gold and Honey Beige with a gold and beige vinyl interior with gold, beige, and copper cloth inserts. It is powered by a 185 hp, Turbo-Fire 283 cu in V8 engine, with Rochester two-barrel carburetor and mated to a 2-speed PowerGuide automatic transmission with 3.36:1 rear axle. Slowing this beauty down are drum brakes in all 4-corners. It has independent front suspension with double wishbone and coil springs. The rear suspension is 4-link with a solid axle and coil springs.
The newly designed 1958 Chevrolets were offered with a softer, more luxurous look and ride than its predecessors. Note that in this first year, the Impala was a top of the line Bel Air with only a sport coupe and convertible. The next year (1959) the Impala became the top shelf Chevy with all body styles, and the Bel Air was demoted to midline. Quad headlights and dual “jet intake” parking lights along with modified truck engine, the 348 cu in big block V8 were also introduced.
Mary saw the ad go up on a Facebook group and everyone was criticizing the poor seller. Mary quickly message her and said I would love to buy this car, but your price is way too cheap. The seller talked to her grandfather and he said that it was fine. They live in New Hampshire so Mary flew into Boston and then drove to New Hampshire where she saw the car in a barn. She bought the car and arranged for shipping. Mary has developed a great friendship with the prior owner who owned the 58 for 10 years. The previous owner had named the car for his wife and his niece, “Peggy Sue”. I just recently saw an updated photo of Mary’s car with a “PEGYSU” California black plate. I love that she is honoring the memory!
The total 0f 1958 Chevrolets produced were 1,217,047 units in total, 55,989 being Impala convertibles and 125,480 Sport Coupes were built, representing 15% of Chevrolet production. The 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala helped Chevrolet regain the number-one production spot in this recession year. The MSRP was $2,586.00. It had a published top speed of 101 mph with a 0-60 mph time of 13.1 seconds. What a great car to take to Chevrolet or GM car shows, Cars and Coffee events or just cruising. Thanks for riding a long. Frank
