1958 was an important year for Chevrolet’s full-size efforts, as the carmaker reignited its strategy with the debut of the Impala.
The company was already struggling to surpass Ford, so it refreshed its full-size lineup with a new lineup that eventually brought home the bacon. Bel Air and Impala spearheaded the efforts, helping Chevrolet regain the leading spot in the United States.
Impala made its debut as the top-tier Bel Air model before becoming a series in 1959. Although the Impala eventually rose to the top of the full-size lineup, the first model years were practically hard to distinguish between the two because they shared the same appearance, body, and engines.
Chevrolet staked everything on the Impala, but the Bel Air remained a fascinating presence in the automotive industry. As a result, it continues to be a very sought-after classic, particularly when flexing an entirely unique package and a top-notch shape.
The 1958 Bel Air posted on Craigslist a few days ago is the opposite, exhibiting a condition that could sometimes make a grown man cry. It’s no longer the museum piece that a 1958 Bel Air deserves to be but almost a rust bucket whose only option is a complete restoration.
Professional restorers ought to understand what this signifies as the car has been sitting in what appears to be an open field for a very long period. I didn’t post many pictures, but anyone can see that the rust has spread to practically every inch of metal and has become a serious problem. The body appears unkempt, so I don’t anticipate any good news to be revealed by the flooring or the trunk. Despite the car’s lack of information regarding the mill, it is simple to infer what happens inside because the engine bay is also rusted.
The Bel Air rolled off the assembly lines with a six-cylinder engine in charge of putting the wheels in motion. It was the laziest unit for this model year, but it still got the job done for people who wanted a full-size car to go to the supermarket.
The good news is that the engine is probably stalled from sitting. Since a big-block engine would fit a restored example like a glove, someone willing to give this Bel Air another opportunity wouldn’t keep the six-cylinder anyway. Unfortunately, we are unable to determine how original it still is or whether any significant components are missing because the listing leaves many questions unanswered.