The 1959 Impala was the first iteration of this legendary full-size model to hit the market as a separate series. It debuted in 1958 as the Bel Air version, but due to its tremendous immediate success, it was promoted to its own lineup just a year later.
The Impala was a major sales catalyst for Chevrolet, which retained the top spot in the U.S. with 1.48 million vehicles. Ford came in second with 1.39 million vehicles.
The 1959 Impala's engine lineup was similar to its predecessor, with the big star of the show being the 348. Chevrolet offered several configurations, but the best was the Special Super Turbo-Thrust with three dual-barrel carburetors. It could be had by anyone who paid $333 more and produced 315 horsepower.
The 1959 Impala in these photos is powered by the original 283ci unit, which was the base V8 in 1959, and while the seller explained on Craigslist that it was a six-cylinder engine, that is obviously a mistake or typo. The engine no longer runs, which is not surprising considering the car was parked and forgotten in 1974.
The owner explains online that the Impala was involved in an accident decades ago. They parked the car in a garage shortly after the accident in 1974, and it sat there for decades.
The Impala received a second chance not long ago, with the restoration including essential bodywork. The car is 95% complete and has already been sanded, so it needs a new coat of paint. The mechanicals require more attention, and it is unclear if the engine will turn over. It has been sitting for decades, so I wouldn't be surprised to see it locked up, but a good mechanic should be able to assess its condition in a matter of minutes.
The odometer reads 43,000 miles and the owner claims they are all original. It's unclear if they are the original owners or if they purchased the car from someone else, but you should be able to ask any questions during an in-person inspection.
This Impala may have too many doors, but the good thing is that it's selling for a low price, so if you've been thinking about restoring a classic full-size Chevy, this project might be worth considering. The owner says the photos he included in the listing are old, so contact him to arrange a live inspection is a must.
The car can be yours for $4,000 and you will need transportation to get it home, considering the condition of the engine. The Impala can be found parked in Leeper, PA. It comes with a title, so you can focus on completing the restoration project.