The top-of-the-line Bel Air model gave rise to the Chevrolet Impala in 1958, but it didn’t take long for the GM brand to recognize the potential of its new moniker. Even though it still shares many parts and engines, Impala started the journey of building a name for itself without Bel Air’s assistance in 1959 when it acquired series classification.
The second-generation Impala made its debut in 1959 and was produced for two years before Chevrolet unveiled the Super Sport model, which went on to become the first in the lineup to get performance enhancements.
Despite being part of the same generation, the 1959 and 1960 Impalas sport several differences, especially in looks, where Chevrolet has been experimenting with various changes, including to the front and rear.
A 1960 Impala pulled from a garage with incredible mileage is probably the best way to figure out what the original model was about, as it’s a time capsule that flexes just an unfortunate change – which, fortunately, you can still undo.
Let’s go over the most important details first. The vehicle spent fifty years parked in a garage. It was hidden for fifty years, thus it managed to stay in original shape without needing any significant repairs. The car had barely 14,000 miles on the odometer when the owner found it. After removing the Impala, they changed all of the fluids, put in new hoses, a new radiator, a new gas tank, and a terrible airslamit air ride suspension (which, while I love Airslamit products, ruins the magic of the original car, especially with so few miles on it).
The good news is that the kit can be easily removed, so if you want to return to the original setup, a good mechanic should be able to do it in a few hours. Since it left the garage, the Impala added 3,500 more miles to the clock, so it still flexes a mileage that makes it an amazing survivor.
It’s unclear if the car has ever been restored, but the owner says the engine starts and runs like a new unit. A car sitting for 50 years rarely comes with a mill in tip-top shape, so I believe the Impala received at least a partial restoration.
The interior is also mesmerizing, so your best option is to book a ticket to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and inspect everything in person.