1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible
Chevrolet introduced its new flagship trim level in 1958, positioning the Impala atop the Bel Air lineup exclusively for two-door hardtop and convertible body styles.
Distinguished by triple taillights on each side and one-year-only styling characterized by deeply sculpted rear fenders and quad headlamps, the inaugural Impala accounted for 181,469 units (representing roughly 15 percent of Chevrolet production). Convertible production totaled 55,989 examples.
The redesigned full-size platform featured GM’s new X-frame chassis construction and full coil spring suspension replacing the previous year’s rear leaf springs. Standard power came from a 235 cubic inch inline-six producing 145 horsepower, while V-8 options ranged from the 283 cubic inch small-block generating between 185 and 250 horsepower to the newly introduced 348 cubic inch W-series big-block.
The largest displacement 348 variants produced 250 horsepower with a single four-barrel carburetor, 280 horsepower with triple two-barrel Tri-Power induction, or 315 horsepower in Special Super Turbo-Thrust specification featuring solid lifters and triple carburetors.
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