1959 Chevrolet Impala Emerges From Texas With a Little Surprise Under the Hood

The GM brand was still involved in a fierce battle with rival Ford, but its secret weapon was now a model fully prepared to become a money-making machine as a standalone series. The Impala was no longer part of the Bel Air series, helping Chevrolet secure the leading spot for the second year.

Chevrolet sold 1.48 million cars, reigning supreme after Ford shipped "only" 1.39 million units. The Impala was already becoming a more compelling purchase for American buyers before turning into the best-selling car in the domestic market a few years later.

The Impala continued to be available with similar engine choices as in its first year on the market. The base unit was the 135-horsepower six, while the 283 was the base V8 choice with 185 horsepower.

However, customers could choose from several more potent engine options, beginning with the Super Turbo-Fire 283 rated at 230 horsepower. It was available for $147.

Chevrolet also offered two Rochester fuel-injected units with 250 and 290 horsepower.

The icing on the Impala cake was the 348, again offered in multiple configurations. The base version, which developed 250 horsepower, was available for $199 extra, while the top was significantly more expensive at $333, although it produced 315 horsepower thanks to three two-barrel carburetors.

Impala's customer appeal was already obvious, and the GM brand wanted to give buyers the freedom to customize it just how they wanted. The lineup comprised 14 exterior colors and 10 two-tone combinations. Inside, Chevrolet offered 12 new interior colors in vinyl and cloth combinations.

The yellow Impala in these photos is one of the examples that left the factory in 1959, albeit it's unclear if the finish is still original. I believe it is, especially as the car looks unrestored.

eBay seller egonzalez915 says the Impala has been sitting "for many years," but I wish they shared more information on this front. A "barn-found" Impala with many stories to tell could sell much easier and find a place in a collector's garage, especially if its storage location was away from anything that could alter its condition.

The Impala has a little surprise under the hood, as the V8 still cranks and turns by hand. It doesn't start, but this isn't a surprise, as a car sitting for many years typically exhibits major engine issues. This example doesn't make an exception, but the seller promises that a good mechanic would be able to get it up and running easily – of course, the best way to determine how accurate this description is comes down to an in-person or third-party inspection before committing to a purchase.

It's unclear how much of this Impala is still original, but part of the metal is in good shape. The floors and the frame "seem very solid," the owner explains, adding that the trunk will need to be replaced due to metal damage. The rust has already invaded the undersides, so I'd put the car on a lift and inspect the undersides to see what happens and whether you'll need patches.

The car left the factory with air conditioning and likely too many doors, albeit a 1959 model is nevertheless an intriguing project. The VIN confirms the Impala rolled off the assembly lines with a V8 in charge of propelling the wheels, but you should double-check all specifics when you see the car in person.

Otherwise, the Impala doesn't seem to come with any major deal-breaker. The 1959 model year continues to be a desirable presence in the collectors' world, even in project car condition.

A factory AC car is also a bonus – air conditioning was a $468 option in 1959 and was the most expensive upgrade in the entire lineup; the runner-up was the Turbo-Glide automatic transmission, which could be had for $242, while air suspension, which was already losing ground, carried a price tag of $135.

The Impala landed on eBay with a $9,200 price tag, and buyers still have six days to convince their significant others that the car deserves to be their next project. However, the owner also enabled the Make Offer button on eBay, meaning that they're willing to listen to other offers if someone wants the car.

The Impala is parked in El Paso, Texas, and will require transportation to leave for a new home, considering the non-running engine.

eBay's statistics indicate that 16 people are currently watching the listing, and given all of the above, I don't believe the car will remain available for long. The Impala sells with a clean title, and don't forget to ask more questions, especially if you're interested in restoring the car to factory specifications and retaining as much as possible of its original setup.