Chevrolet Impala came to be in 1958, but the GM brand wanted to use baby steps to make sure the new nameplate made itself noticed.
Impala debuted as the top Bel Air version, offered exclusively as a hardtop and convertible. The car became an instant hit, with Impala making a huge contribution to Chevrolet regaining the number one spot in annual car sales in the United States after years of Ford dominance.
Chevy made the right call a year later, so Impala gained series status in 1959 when its second generation officially saw daylight. Produced for just two years, this new generation introduced major styling changes for each model year (also shared with other full-size Chevrolets, including the Bel Air and Biscayne).
A 1960 Chevrolet Impala that’s been sitting for over two decades recently emerged from long-term storage, looking for a new home and hopefully for the repairs to become a perfect 10.
The photos are worth a thousand words for this Impala and its potential buyers. The car looks fantastic, and eBay seller willowcat59 says it’s all thanks to an amateur restoration conducted before the vehicle made its way to storage. The Impala isn’t a new car, but the paint shines up nicely and exhibits only minor scratches and bubbles that certainly aren’t a nightmare to fix.
The interior is also great and clear, without any rips. However, considering this was an amateur job, you might want to inspect everything thoroughly, especially if you want this Impala to be part of your collection.
The engine under the hood is the base V8 for this model year. The 1960 Impala was available with the same engine options as its predecessor, including a lazy six-cylinder unit, the base 283, and the almighty 348 that provided a boost of adrenaline to the driver. The 283 boasted the perfect balance between performance and fuel economy, and it eventually became the number one choice for Impala buyers in 1960.
The 283 now starts and runs, with the owner explaining they purchased the vehicle in non-working condition. They replaced the gas tank, the radiator, and a few other parts, cleaned the car up, and then got it up and running in the shape you can see today. It’s not perfect, as additional tune-ups are required, but the Impala can drive on its own and still turn heads like a genuine survivor.
Considering its shape, it’s not surprising to see the owner having high expectations regarding the selling price. The auction has already started, and the top offer today is $14,100. However, they also enabled a reserve (still in place at the time of writing), and anyone who wants to skip the battle and buy the car immediately must trigger the Buy It Now option and pay $19,900
