This 1958 Impala Checks All the Big Boxes: Convertible, Tri-Power, Selling at No-Reserve

With a revamped full-size lineup, which included the Bel Air, the Impala, the Biscayne, and the Del Ray, Chevrolet regained the top spot in the United States, beating Ford 1.25 million to 1.03 million sold units.

The Impala accounted for only 15 percent of all sales, but it was the beginning of a fantastic adventure that rapidly brought home the bacon. The Impala became the best-selling car in the United States in 1960, remaining the top nameplate in its home market for the whole decade.

The Impala debuted in 1958 as a Bel Air version, with 125K units rolling off the assembly lines as coupes. The convertible accounted for 55,989 units despite carrying a hefty price tag. The Impala started at $2,586, while the convertible could be had for $2,724.

Chevrolet wanted the Impala to target an audience as varied as possible from its first year on the market so the car could be customized in a plethora of ways. The company's offering included 15 solid colors, 15 two-tone combinations, approximately 40 two-tone cloth and vinyl interiors, and an engine lineup with six- and eight-cylinder units.

The base choice was a 235 six with only 145 horsepower, while the standard V8 was the 283 with 185 horsepower. Chevrolet also targeted people interested in more power on an Impala, so the options list started with the Super Turbo-Fire available for $27 extra. It produced 230 horsepower, but it could go as high as 270 horsepower for customers paying $183.

The 348 was the big-block surprise. It could be had as the 250-horsepower Turbo-Thrust or 280- and 315-horsepower Super Turbo-Thrust. The top choice was the fuel-injected flavor with 290 horsepower, but considering it carried a $484 price tag, few customers ordered it.

The Impala in these photos checks all the right boxes for a great collectible. It has the right number of doors – it's a convertible, which is typically a highly desirable 1958 Impala version, it sports a tip-top shape, and it has Tri-Power muscle under the hood.

As anyone can easily guess, this Impala has recently been restored, and this explains the tip-top shape. The quality of the restoration seems great, but you should still inspect it in person or order a third-party inspection before committing to a purchase. The convertible sports a power-operated soft top that works flawlessly.

It doesn't make sense to describe its condition because you can assume everything is like new, and at 369 miles on the clock, this makes perfect sense. The car sports power steering, power front disc brakes, rear fender skirts, dual-rear antennas, and a dual exhaust system.

The 348 Turbo-Thrust V8 engine under the hood is paired with a Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission, and it's starting, running, and driving perfectly. You'll probably have to drive it yourselves to understand how special this engine is, but I'm not sure that would be possible, considering the miles on the clock – contact the owner to discuss all the details if you're committed to a purchase.

Unfortunately, eBay seller spygla-57 doesn't provide many specifics about the restoration job, so it's impossible to tell how much of this car is still original. I am particularly interested in the metal work conducted on this Impala, as most 1958 projects I've seen exhibited major rust problems and required either large patches or new floors altogether.

The interior looks good and exquisite, and while I'm not a big fan of the red vinyl upholstery with tri-tone inserts, it matches the red exterior finish like a glove. A red-on-red Impala is easily a head-turning presence at any car show, and I'm certain this convertible will catch everybody's attention.

While the car looks like a very compelling convertible for collectors, I'd still want more details about the restoration project, but a thorough inspection before committing to a purchase should help every potential buyer get a clearer picture of what is still original.

Unsurprisingly, this Impala convertible has received many clicks on eBay, with over 40 people joining the digital battle to take it home. The good news is that the car sells at no reserve, meaning that the highest bidder will win the battle and park it in their garage. It'll be a tough race, especially considering the number of bids received in the first two days of the auction, but we'll find out who wins the car early next week.

The top bid at the time of writing is $60,100, and it'll certainly go up as the car receives more exposure. The Impala is parked in Chicago, Illinois, and it should be able to drive anywhere on its wheels, albeit the next owner might want to preserve the mileage of the freshly restored engine and take it home on a trailer.