1958 Chevrolet Impala

The 1958 Chevrolet Impala was introduced as Chevrolet’s new premium full-size offering and carries styling and equipment that set it apart from the rest of the lineup. The factory default specification emphasized roomy accommodation, distinctive trim, and a conventional but robust mechanical package typical of late-1950s American cars.
Fresh 350 V8 with TH400 Automatic Transmission

Exterior and body
- Offered from the factory in the popular coupe, convertible and sedan body forms, the Impala featured longer, lower proportions than earlier Chevrolets and pronounced rear styling cues that would become an identifying element of the model line.
- Standard exterior appointments included a full-width chrome front bumper and wide grille, stamped stainless side moldings with the Impala name and emblem, and triple taillight housings at the rear that were a signature element of the model.
- Standard wheels were 14-inch steel rims with full chrome hubcaps; whitewall tires were a commonly chosen factory option.
- A range of single- and two-tone factory paint schemes was offered, with coordinated roof and body colors available from the factory.

Powertrain and transmission
- The Impala’s base powerplant was Chevrolet’s straight-six engine, offered as the standard, economical option for everyday driving.
- A selection of V8 engines was factory-available as step-up choices, including Chevrolet small-block V8s and the newly introduced, larger displacement V8 options for buyers seeking stronger performance.
- A three-speed manual transmission mounted on the steering column was standard equipment. The two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission was offered from the factory as a widely chosen option.

Chassis, suspension and brakes
- The chassis used conventional full-size construction for the era with an independent front suspension (coil springs) and a solid live rear axle located on semi-elliptic leaf springs for the rear.
- Braking was by drums at all four corners as standard; power assist for the brakes was available as a factory option.
- Manual steering with a recirculating-ball gearbox was standard; power steering was an available factory option to ease low-speed maneuvering.

Interior and comfort
- The factory interior provided generous seating for six with a full-width front bench and a rear bench seat. Upholstery was supplied in durable vinyl or cloth combinations depending on trim level and buyer choices.
- Instrumentation consisted of a centrally mounted speedometer and basic engine and vehicle gauges (fuel, temperature, etc.) laid out in a simple driver-oriented cluster.
- Standard convenience items included a glove compartment, individual sun visors, ashtray(s) and an interior dome light. A heater and ventilation system were specified for climate control; factory air conditioning was available as an option on many cars.
- Factory radios were optional; buyers could order an AM radio from the factory or elect dealer-installed audio upgrades.

Trim and convenience options
- The Impala was positioned as the luxury-trim choice in Chevrolet’s passenger car range, so stainless exterior trim, special badging, and higher-grade interior trim packages were standard relative to lower series.
- Numerous factory options allowed personalization: power accessories (windows, steering, brakes), higher-output engine choices, upgraded transmissions, factory air conditioning, upgraded interior materials and serialized option packages depending on the purchaser’s selections.