1959 Chevy Impala

When the '59 Chevy's were introduced to
north Americans in October 1958, Tommy Edwards had crooned his way to the number one spot with his smooth hit "It's All In The Game". Well, when it came down the game of selling domestic cars in the late
fifties, the designers at Chevrolet and GM's other divisions were totally blown away by the sleek new '57 Chrysler corporation cars unveiled in late '56! Chryslers, Plymouths, Dodges, and of Imperials, were all dramatically redesigned, which in turn made GM and Ford cars look suddenly outdated.
Chrysler's clever "Forward Look" styling had the right slogan for 1957..."Suddenly it's 1960", and all of this leading futuristic design forced General Motors to scramble with jet influenced designs (thanks to Harley Earl and Bill mitchell) to stay at the top for 1959. Chevrolets now featured "Slimline design", that was "fresh, fine and fashionable with a
practical slant" as one ad proclaimed. This new slant reffered to all five General Motor's divisions of autos, which featured this literaly "groovy" styling. All side body panels on Chevy's to Cadillacs, would smoothly run downward from the beltline at the mid-section of the body to the rear, making for an impressive "jet-like" sight. In merging of the grille and headlights, and the addition of wild cat eyes taillights and sharp fins, made the competition looked pretty weak in comparison to this daring new styling. Along with it's GM sibling's, Chevrolets were radically transformed in almost everey other aspects for '59. Roofs were now thinner, as were general body dimensions, but more importantly Chevy's also received huge new "safety plate glass" windows all the way around. Chevy's were now two inches longer than before and wider than ever, and in turn ave more room for passengers inside. Interiors of 1959 Chevrolets were now as
racy looking as their exteriors, featuring Corvette inspired instrument panels and steering wheels. Even the new door panels and seats now matched the fast pace of the hot new bowtie machines, that ended the
fabulous fifties with a vengeance against competing low-priced cars!
The Impala was only in it's second year when a young musical group called themselves that in 1959 (The Impalas), and had thier top twenty chart hit called "I ran all the way home"! There was even another pop group
that had some success with the band name "Bel-Airs". Incidently, the Bel Air series was now a middle of the line model, offered below the Impala, but above the cheaper Biscayne. The Biscayne had replaced the "Delray" model for 1959 on. Flashy,glitzy, and the most expensive Chevrolet one could buy in '59, The Impala was available in a reasonable amount of body
styles. Unlike the Biscayne and Bel-Air, Impalas were offered as convertibles, but not offered in 2 door sedan form. Although we in
Canada had a two-door hardtop Bel-Air, there was a Bel-Air version of our feature flatop four-door sport sedan available. Both types
are very scarce these days! Chevrolet power trains were not only very
dependable, but still some of the best motors ever created by General Motors engineers. Though the 283 cui V8 was only two years
young, it would prove to be immensely popular with Chevy car or truck buyers. This engine was offered in a basic form that developed
195 horses through a 2 barrel carb and one exhaust, and also as a "Super Turbo Fire" V8 that gave out 35 more horses than the above
mentioned. The rarely ordered "Ram Jet Fuel injection" version could push a heavy Chevy easily with 250, to 290 horsepwer! Moreover,
an almost big-block 348 cui V8 could also be
had in various potencies to satisfy the drag types. Power on these motors could have been anywhere between 250 and 335
horsepower! If speed, power, and poor gas mileage weren't your "thing", than you may have likely ordered a new Chevrolet with the
good ol' "High Thrift" 235 cui straight six cylinder that made 135 horsepower. As usual, Chevy's winning ways were heightened every year by adding new safety features and optional extra cost items. "Safety Master" brakes were bigger, and "Easy ratio" steering was also now standard equipement on new '59 Chevs, along with "Magic Mirror" deep luster acrylic paint jobs. Some of those extra cost items offered by Chevrolet dealers were...Air suspension (unfortunately prone to
fail), Automatic turboglide or usual powerglide transmissions, manual or push button radio, dual exhausts pipes, two tone paint jobs,
"Shaded" rear window, an oil filter, a/c, power windows to brakes, and the list went on and on...Although Chevrolet clearly had a more
exciting car for 1959, not everybody liked it's "liberal" if not controversial looks. Both makes therefore almost tied for sales at the end of the year. In Canada, 69,578 Chevrolets were put together in Oshawa, versus 54,015
Fords assembled in Oakville. Like almost every 1959 domestic car, Fords were also dam good lookin' autos, and less likely to rust like the Chevs.
As popular as they were new, 1959 Chevrolets weather they be Impalas or
stripper Biscaynes, will continue to increase in value as they serve an important role as representatives of fifties American style, Batwings and all! As another proud owner of a '59 Chevy Impala summed it up in writing for a website ...."The car for the rest of your life!"