On the heels of the wildly successful Tri-Five Chevrolets from 1955-57, the 1958 models took a new approach with a design that was longer, wider, and lower than before.
Most notably, the car switched from the A-body to General Motors’ B-platform, and it used an X-frame chassis instead of a perimeter frame. The series was manufactured in various body styles including two-door and four-door sedans, two-door and four-door hardtops, and two- and four-door station wagons. For 1958 only, the Impala nameplate was introduced as a top-end package for the Bel Air; Impala would become its own model the following year (more on the Impala shortly).
An advertisement said, “Nothing goes with springtime like a bright new Chevy! These are cars to rejoice in — the happiest cure ever invented for an old-fashioned case of spring fever.” Another ad said, “Your pride will perk up whenever you’re seen in your ’58 Chevrolet. One look at those low, wind-whisked lines and you know you’re bound to be noticed. And you’ll find still more to be proud of in the quick, sure way Chevy responds to your touch.”
One of the cars on display at a recent car show was a 1958 Bel Air four-door sedan. According to an Engineering Features booklet put out by Chevrolet, the car was classified under model number 17-1849.
Many cars from 1958 were chrome-heavy, and the Bel Air was no exception. The exterior of this car was finished in two-tone coral and beige. Based on the paint samples for the 1958 Chevrolets, it might have been Cay Coral and Honey Beige, but without seeing the trim tag, I cannot be certain.
Features included quad headlights (new for the year, of course), dual side mirrors, body side moldings, and whitewall tires.
Notice the dual taillights set in each alcove. One of the easiest ways to identify an Impala was by its triple taillights per side (below). Also, the Impala was only available as a two-door Sport Coupe and convertible, so you’ll never see a 1958 Impala sedan anyway.
The interior was upholstered in patterned coral-colored cloth. The car looked to retain its factory equipment aside from an under-dash gauge and a removable center console.
Available engine options included the standard 235.5ci Blue Flame inline-six, 283ci Turbo-Fire V-8, and a brand-new 348ci Turbo-Thrust big-block V-8. I didn’t get to glance inside the engine compartment of the car at the show, but it’s fairly likely it had the 283 since that was the volume-leader.
When it came to hauling around a family, the Bel Air sedan was a car that performed its job without looking like a plain-Jane commuter. It was classy in 1958, and it’s still a head-turner today.
