1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA COUPE RESTO MOD
HIGHLIGHTS: – Fully rebuilt into custom restomod – LS3 6.2L V8 engine – Six speed automatic transmission – Ridetech airbag suspension – Custom paint and interior – Air conditioning – Dakota digital gauges – 18/20” Boyd Coddington wheels – Mod plated for QLD
This 1958 Chevy Impala Coupe has been through a full build into a one of a kind restomod cruiser. The car was purchased by current owner at Barrett Jackson Auctions in Scottsdale in 2018 before being imported to Australia. The car had been rebuilt and presented extremely well all round but upon getting the car home and actually using it, he could tell there were some items that had been rushed for the auction.
The car was running rack and pinion steering which was tracky and not dialed in for the car, it was also over heating, the windows wouldn’t go up and down properly and it was suffering from electrical issues. The car was fitted with a fuel injected 350ci small block with turbo 400 automatic at the time. The owner made the decision to face the issues head on and made it his mission to sort everything out and upgrade the car further. This escalated into a full LS3 conversion with six speed automatic and resulted in a one of a kind restomod.
Starting with the chassis, the steering has been changed from the problematic rack and pinion to a 605 power steering box setup which is more suited to the car. The suspension features a Ridetech airbag setup all round with self-levelling and three preset ride heights. The brakes have been upgraded to feature discs all round with power booster and dual master cylinder. The car is extremely well presented underneath and if you look at the pictures you will see it has been through an extensive build.
Under the bonnet now lives a LS3, 6.2L fuel injected V8 engine and six speed automatic transmission sourced from a 2016 SS Commodore with 40,000kms on the clock. Undertaking the swap was tasked to Fakes Engineering who also happen to manufacture a host of items to dress up a modern LS like an old school V8. The intake was switched to look like an old school Carby and air cleaner but retains the fuel injection. The coil packs are all hidden with custom valve covers and there is a custom cover over the firewall along with various odds and ends to present the engine bay to a high standard. The engine is paired to the matching six speed automatic transmission from the same donor vehicle. The trans tunnel had to be modified by Fakes to allow for clearance. Exhaust gasses flow through headers into a custom stainless steel exhaust system that exist just behind the rear wheels.
The body of the car has been completely restored and presents extremely well. The lines of a ’58 Impala coupe are iconic with their low roof line, rear roof vent and heavy chrome. With Chevy getting it so right from the factory on these first year Impala’s there isn’t a need to go reinventing the wheel. The body is custom painted in a cool period pastel Turquoise colour with a pearl twist on it. The roof is two toned with a pearl Ivory colour for a cool contrast. All of the chrome and stainless trim on the outside of the car was either refinished or replaced. The outside look is completed with the airbag suspension slamming the car over a set of staggered Body Coddington wheels measuring 18” up front and 20” in the rear.
Inside the car has also been completely refinished in a mild custom look. The Turquoise paint colour extends onto the dash and rear parcel shelf with turquoise and white interior trim on the doors and seats. The dash features a full set of Dakota Digital gauges mounted in the original cluster. Under the dash is a neatly painted panel to house the air suspension controller as well as the controls and vents for the ‘Vintage Air’ air conditioning system. There is a billet tilt adjustable steering column holding a billet steering wheel with rim trimmed in white. For tunes while cruising these is a Retrosounds Bluetooth stereo system with USB input under the dash.
The end result is a one off restomod Impala that combines the best of classic styling with modern performance and reliability. A 1958 Impala Coupe is an extremely desirable car anywhere in the world and extremely had to find one here in Australia, not to mention one built like this! The car has been mod plated and previously registered for QLD and comes with a large file of receipts and documentation.
PLEASE CALL LOCKY MCCANN WITH SALES ENQUIRIES ON 0403 935 488
IMPORTANT: Vehicle information is provided to us by the consignee. We do everything we can to qualify the best cars in the Australian market to represent on consignment for private sellers however, they are still old cars and we can’t capture everything in the photos, we don’t drive them any significant distance and can’t know everything about them. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied themselves as to the condition and value and to purchase based upon that judgement solely. Vehicles may have been sitting for some time and it is suggested that to protect your investment, you allow to change fuel, oil, fluids, filters and inspect brakes prior to use. All vehicles are sold under standard auction conditions, consignment and auction vehicles are sold as is, without registration unless otherwise stated and there is no cooling off period or warranty expressed, written or implied. All sales are final. Independent inspections are welcome and strongly encouraged to help with your decision making.
Located at 2 Palings Court, Nerang on the Gold Coast. Inspections by appointment during auction and public openings/viewing as advertised.
