The tail of a classic 1950's Chevrolet (Chevy) Impala (probably a 1959 Sedan) parked in Hermanus, South Africa.
The tail of a classic 1950's Chevrolet (Chevy) Impala (probably a 1959 Sedan) parked in Hermanus, South Africa. The Impala was introduced in 1958 positioned as top of the line Bel Air coupes and convertibles. From the windshield pillar rearward, the 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala differed structurally from typical Chevrolets. Hardtops had a slightly shorter greenhouse and longer rear deck, giving the impression of an extended body. The wheelbase of the Impala was longer than the lower priced models, although the overall length was identical. The 1959 Chevrolet Impala was radically reworked. Sharing bodyshells with lower-end Buicks and Oldsmobiles as well as with Pontiac, part of a GM economy move, Chevrolets rode a wheelbase 1-1/2 inches longer than before. Atop a new X-frame chassis, roofs sat three inches lower, and bodies measured more than two inches wider overall. The growing size contributed to increased curb weight, one more trend of the times. Its tailfins protruded outward, rather than upward. Auto tester Tom McCahill, of Mechanix Illustrated, declared that a Chevrolet's deck lid had "enough room to land a Piper Cub." Chevrolet replaced the triple-taillight rear style this year with a very large, single "teardrop" taillight at each side. Impala was now a separate series, including a four-door hardtop and four-door sedan, as well as the two-door Sport Coupe and convertible. Sport Coupes featured a shortened roof line and wrap-over back window, promising a "virtually unlimited rear view" to complement the car's new compound-curve windshield. The hardtop Sport Sedan had a huge, pillar-free back window and "flying wing" roof line. Base V8 was the carryover 283 cu in (4,640 cc), at 185 hp (138 kW) horsepower. Performance fans could select 280 cu in outputs to 290 hp (220 kW) – or turn to the big-block 348 cu in (5,700 cc) V8 up to 315 hp (235 kW). With a V8, the Impala convertible listed at $2,967, but a six-cylinder version saved the customer $118.
Size: 4576px × 3056px
Location: Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa
Photo credit: © Derek Gale / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 1950, 1959, africa, arrow, bumper, car, chevrolet, chevy, chrome, classic, close-, cruising, days, detail, elliptical, fins, format, generation, good, hermanus, impala, landscape, light, nostalgia, nostalgic, rear, red, road, sedan, south, tail, tarmac, teardrop, white
