1959 Chevrolet Impala
The year was 1959. Fins were the style. But the '59 Impala didn't have fins...it had wings! The fantastic "Bat Wing" Chevy, that was either loved or hated, was the creation of famous G.M. Chief Designer Harley J. Earl who favored a longer, lower look. The 1959 line represented his last hurrah after a legendary career of 32 years at General Motors.
After his retirement, the styling of G.M. cars became more rounded and less sculptured than the classic '59 Impala. Though actually heavier than previous models, the '59 Impala had the appearance of a lighter and leaner car. The '59 was longer, lower, and wider than the 58s, more like a baby Cadillac.
The Impala line was expanded to include a four-door hardtop in addition to the four-door sedan, along with the two-door hardtop and convertable. New for the '59 was a dry-type air cleaner which, with the exception of the fule-injected engines, replaced the oil-bath unit. Avalible on the fule-injected 283 V-8 and the 348 V-8 was the same close-ratio 4-speed that was used on the Corvette. For racing only, It could be equipped with a 348 cubic-inch Super Turbo-Thrust V-8 that had three 2-barrel-carbs and pumped out 335 horsepower at 5800 r.p.m. This engine was designed to be NASCAR legal (But not street legal) and showed up at the new Daytona, Florida race track to defend Chevrolet's leadership in performance.
This was America's car. The '59 Impala was introduced in a national television ad campaign featuring Pat Boone and Dinah Shore singing the joys of seeing the U.S.A. in a Chevrolet. Distinctive styling was not it's only noticeable feature.In countless adds in '59 it was displayed in some simple outdoor setting---like with the Golden Gate Bridge in the backround. There was a minimal amount of copy. This car didn't need to be sold-people wanted to buy it!
Factory Price: $2849
Overall Length: 211"
Wheelbase: 199"
Width: 80"
Height: 54.3" (Conv.)
56.3" (Sedan)
Weight: 3615 lbs.
Engine:
Compression:
Bore x Stroke:
Carburetor:
Horsepower:
This car had one of the largest engine options list ever, from an ecomomical 235 strait six to a fire-breathing, 315 hp, Tri-power 348 V-8!
(Standerd, all others optional)
OHV 6 cyl -235 cid
8.25:1
3.56" x 3.93"
Single 2 barrel
135 @ 4000rpm
OHV V-8 282 cid
8.5:1
3.87" x 3.00"
Single 2 Barrel
185 @ 4600rpm
OHV 283 V-8 cid
9.5:1
3.87" x 3.00"
Single 4 Barrel
220 @ 4800rpm
More Engine Options...
Engine:
Compression:
Bore x Stroke:
Carburetor:
Horsepower:
OHV V-8 348 cid
9.5:1
4.13" x 3.25"
Single 4 Barrel
250 @ 4400rpm
OHV V-8 283 cid
10.5:1
3.87" x 3.00"
Dual 4 Barrels
270 @ 6000rpm
OHV V-8 283cid
10.5:1
3.87" x 3.00"
Fuel Injection
290 @ 6200rpm
OHV V-8 348 cid
10.5:1
4.13" x 3.25"
Three 2 Barrels
315 @ 5600rpm
Transmission: 3 Speed Stick (standerd)
4 Speed Stick (optional)
Powerglide (2 speed auto, optional)
TurboGlide (3 speed auto, optional)