Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) 1959-1960

[Dan Flynn]

1-3. Front, side, and rear views of the '59 Impala

[Ferrer]

Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) 1959-1960

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. Impala interiors flaunted their top-of-the-line status, offering front and rear armrests, an electric clock, dual sliding sun visors, and crank-operated front ventipanes. A contoured instrument panel held deep-set gauges, residing below hoods to prevent glare. A Flexomatic six-way power seat was a new option, as was "Speedminder", a device that allowed the driver to set a needle at a specific speed; a buzzer would sound if he exceeded this pre-set speed.

The 1960 models created a more conservative look than was seen on the 1959 models and were simply toned down a bit. Stylists and marketers realized that the fin-and-chrome fashion had about run its course and decided to shift direction, creating a more conservative facelift. The effect was helped by reinstating three modestly sized round taillights on each side of the top-of-the-line Impala. At the front, the nostril air intakes above the headlights were deleted completely. More abundantly chromed than Bel Airs or Biscaynes, Impalas found buyers more easily, with more than 490,000 built. Impalas displayed nonfunctional air intake scoops, plus a white band running along the rear fender. Four body styles were offered: Hardtop Sport Sedan, Sport Coupe, Convertible Coupe, and Four-Door Sedan. The Impala Convertible Coupe at $2,847 led the line.

Drive-train choices were slightly reduced to seven V8s in 283-cu in or 348-cu in size. Top choice was the 348 cu in Super Turbo-Thrust Special, breathing through triple two-barrel carburetors and using 11.25:1 compression and dual exhausts to produce 335 hp (250 kW). More modest versions of the 348 yielded 250 to 320 hp (190 to 240 kW). The carbureted Turbo-Fire 283 cu in V8 could have either 170 or 230 hp (130 or 170 kW). Fuel injection was no longer an option on full-size Chevrolets. New to the options list was speed and cruise control, the first time such a device was offered on a low-price automobile.

Right-hand drive cars were made in Oshawa, Canada, for New Zealand, Australia and South Africa and assembled locally from CKD or SKD kits. The right-hand drive dashboard was a mirror image of the 1959 Chevrolet panel and shared with equivalent right-hand drive Pontiac models. Australian models were assembled by hand on the GMH Holden assembly lines.

Source: wikipedia.org

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Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #2

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Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #3

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Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #4

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Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #5

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Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #6

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Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #7

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Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #8

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Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #9

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Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #10

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Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #11

[NSXType-R]

Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #12

For some odd reason I couldn't upload 6 photos at a time, I had to upload 3 first and then edit and go back to upload the last 3 photos.

[NSXType-R]

Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #13

I was so happy to see this car in the parking lot, and with the windows down too so I could take a photo of the interior with no reflections.

Acres of vinyl, in a period of time when cars were designed because they looked good, not because of safety regulations. I bet you that trunk must be huge, and this coupe could easily carry 8 people, 6 with great comfort.

And if anyone has any more photos, that'd be great too.

[NSXType-R]

Chevrolet Impala (2nd Gen) #14

Last bits, details of the rear emblem.