The "Impala" Story

It was an ordinary day. I was out riding around in my 1958 Chevy. Not any Chevy, but an Impala convertible. I've had many cars in my life and this one is close to the top of the list for being the neatest! It was a three speed with a 348 cubic inch engine. Generated 315 horsepower. The 1958 Chevy Impala was considered the first muscle car made. I just loved the car. I was 20 years old at the time and had plans for the customization of the car. At the time I was taking a design class at Millersville University and used the car as my project for the course. I found a 1951 DeSoto bullet grill at Angelini and Groff junk yard and figured a way to use it to replace the stock grill. I removed the tail light lenses and found some red Plexiglas in the school's shop area and made new lenses. Flat instead of the bullet style. I removed all the hood, trunk and side chrome and filled all the holes and sanded them. My Uncle Bud owned Stiffel's Body Shop and repainted the car for me. He talked me into keeping it the same color so it would be less expensive to paint. In metal shop I designed a shifter post that was extremely short; made it look like I was reaching down on the floor to shift the car. Why? I don't really know, but I thought it was cool. Put spun aluminium moon hubcaps on and colored lights in the front wheel wells. I took the car to Landis Garage and they removed the four barrel carburetor and made changes so it now had 2 four barrel carburetors. The car could just about fly. Added a tachometer and other gauges which I used more for show than anything else. I also removed the Continental Kit from the rear. It just didn't fit with the design I had decided upon. Final touch was to have a full tonneau cover which covered from the trunk to the dash. Had a zipper down the middle so I could unzip the driver's compartment and leave the rest of the car covered. Also added the necessary dice from the mirror. Nice touch. Pretty neat car! No, REALLY neat car!! It really drew the stares. I still can't believe I sold it to buy a Pontiac Tempest!!! What was I thinking? Today the '58 Chevy Convertibles are bringing over $100,000 at auction. The Tempest? They are at rest in the junk yard! Oh well, at least I was cool for a few years while I had it. Did get an "A" in my course! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - The photo is what car looked like before I started the customization. I'm sorry I don't have the "After" photo.