Good video, Adam. My dad owned a 59 Convertible, black with red interior, when he married my mom in 1962. I have a picture of them standing next to the car. Absolutely beautiful couple and car!
@@roberthenry9319 Because they're unique and awesome? Piloting one is quite the experience what with "A" and "C" pillars the width of your wrist, there's almost zero blind spots.
LOL Good question. Nostalgia perhaps? Alongside the "bubbletop" look that was at the same time, I find them both to be the perfect "Mid-Century-Modern" look that I love do much.
Hi, informative video. I'll never look at a 59 Chevy again without analyzing the rear bumper and the seam under the fins. Fun facts. Please do this to every American model from 1955 to 1982. Thanks.
Fun facts. Thanks. The series is great. Fun to watch. I spent many hours in a 1960 Belair. Later almost bought a ‘59 Biscayne. Ended up with a ‘63 Catalina. All great cars.
I love seeing these videos. We had one of these cars, when I was a kid. My dad, bought it new in 1959. Mom wrecked our car, and we were on vacation, out of state in Colorado. The car she totaled was a 1953 Packard. Dad, was a Packard guy, but by that year, they were out of business. We looked at a couple of used cars, but I remember, one car the trunk kept popping open, and the second one, Dad said had a noise in the engine--I was little--just 5 years at that time. Then he decided to buy new--his first. He was conservative, and bought the bottom of the line "Biscayne". It came with a 235 cubic inch 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree, an am radio, heater and seats--that's it. This car was a 4 door, but basic. In fact, the dome light did not even come on when you opened the door, so he wired in switches later. The car did extremely well, and when I was 16, he gave me that car. He then bought a 70 Impala--ready, 250 cubic inch 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree, an am radio, heater, but this had add on air conditioning--not factory--but by a company called "ARA". Again a basic car and a 2 door. Oh yes the big step up, the dome light came on when you opened the door. This was a basic "come on car" at a dealership, to get you to come in and by a more expensive car--350 V8, Automatic, Air Conditioning, Power Steering and Brakes at the minimum. I was with him, and when he told the salesman he would take that stripped car, the salesman's jaw dropped🙈🙈. Again, that car gave many years of excellent service. Then in 1977, I convinced him to get a nice car, a Caprice--fairly loaded. They drove it many years as well, and it served him well. Then in 1989, he bought another Caprice--this one was quite loaded with goodies. He was older, and drove that car 28 years--unbelievable, that car ran and ran. He passed in 2017 at 93 years. He was a WW II Army Vet of 3 years, and a Navy Korean war vet of 4 years. So God bless him, and all Veterans who served this country, deceased and living.🙏🙏
Great story very similar to my Dads life. He was a carrier naval officer and retired to a life of custom home building and goat farming! Traveled to my grandmothers house 300 miles away with five goats in his 74 Chevy 1/2 ton window work van. God bless.
My uncle had one of these when I was a kid in the mid 60s in black. I loved that car. I really liked those circular gauges. As usual you taught me some new things. Thanks Adam. Those sneaky engineers... lol.
Love those vast steel dashes, all the chrome, curves even chromed exposed headliner bows. No such thing as real chrome these days. Just some stupid coated plastic. Drive these old things while we still can, there will come a day when its too tough, forbidden or $$ to own these as we get forced into EVs. Wont happen for me I refuse.
Being British I'm supposed to think that the E-type Jaguar is the most beautiful car ever built, but ever since I was given a model Chevrolet Impala taxi back in '62 I've only had eyes for the '59 Impala! Breathtakingly gorgeous.
Great video, Adam! My grandfather had a 1959 powder blue Impala...i was quite young but I remember pur family greeting him when he drove her home and everyone was really in love with it! I loved the interior touches and i believe there was a round speedometer that fascinated me...i still look at the '59 and it reminds me of what we thought the space age was about!!
Not only the speedo, but the twin round gauge 'nacelles' to left and right of it added to the 'Jetsons' look, especially from driver's perspective. Even the rear seat speaker with its chromed grille and big crossed flags emblem was placed where visible in the rear view mirror. Decades ago I had a Roman Red Sport Coupe with 348 (later replaced with 409 HiPo). The look down those deep fins through the side view mirrors was intoxicating.
Thanks for the memories and wonderful information on the 59 Impala. Had several friends that had 59 Bel lAire and Impala, They had the 348/335HP 4 speed. I had the 1960 Impala with the same setup. What a great engine to work on, no sensors or emission gear, so getting to the engine was easier. The 59 and 60 Impalas had several engine options in the 348 Cu.In. series. The various engines had different compression ratios with the 335HP at 11.25:1 the highest and 9.50:1 the lowest. Carburation was either 3-2bbls or one 4bbl. Horsepower varied from 250 to 335. The other engine options were a 6 cyl. and a 283 CI V8. Transmissions included a 3 speed column shift, an automatic, and a 4 speed floor shift. One way to visibly tell the difference in engine displacement was from the hood and trunk emblem. The 6 cyl had the standard Chevrolet emblem (sort of rectangular) with no chrome V. The small block V8 had the same emblem with a chrome V under it, and the 348 series had cross flags above the chrome V.
A few notes. 1. Fuel Injection was stiill offered for 1959. I personally have driven a 1959 Impala Sport Coupe that was a factory 250hp RamJet 283 backed by Powerglide. They have " Fuel Injection " call outs on the front fenders. 2. 1959 was the first offical full size Chevrolet that could be equipped with a factory 4 speed manual. 3. 1959 was the final year for " Level Air " air suspension. 4. For 1953-58, full wheelcovers were standard equipment on the top of the line Chevrolet ( it was the Bel Air ). To make more profit, i guess, full wheelcovers were now optional on all 1959 Chevrolets ( save the Corvette ). Even on the 1959 Impala, full wheelcovers were now a $23 extra!
@@joshm3342 I think I'm more letdown of the front of the '60 Chevy than the rear, looked cheap/plain compared to '59 - but I did like the new "gullwing" fins and the three separate taillights surrounded by the ribbed chrome strip of the '60.
I agree with you completely. I’ve owned and driven regularly two 1959 Impalas. I currently have a 1959 Buick and it’s front end, with the canted headlights, also reminds me of those vintage women’s glasses.
@@davezul4396 That's right! Thanks for that memory jog - wow, I have not heard that term for those eyeglass frames in ages. People associate them with sunglasses but my grandmother had a prescription pair in that style that she always wore.
I restored a red '59 El Camino in 1989. Beautiful car, wished I still had it. I put a 350 crate engine and a Borg Warner Super T10 trans from an '82 Z28 in it. On Friday night you could go street racing and on Saturday morning, tow your boat to the lake. Good times.
@corvettejohn4507 sounds like an amazing car. Personally I would love a fuel injected 383 with a 6 spd tk trans, 355 lsd rear, four wheel independent coil overs, and disk on all corners. Also living in the Texas gulf coast area I have to have ac. Plus painting it in a pail green and cream with a wild silver lace accent would just make it an ace.
My dad owned a 59 Chevrolet. He sold it in 1962. The six had to be rebuilt, the body was full of rust holes that he filled in and then repainted it himself and got rid of it as fast as he could.
I like the '59 Impala myself and also liked the dash in these with the separate gauge pods - the car just gave off a sporty, youthful vibe to me, especially the two door. Of course, what do I know - I think the '71-'72 Riviera "boat tails" are beautiful! I remember as a kid waiting on the school bus a guy would drive by at the same time every morning (going to work I presume) in a '59 Impala sport coupe in a beautiful bright red color which was always spotless - to this day, I vividly remember the sight of that car driving by. I'd rather drive a '59 Impala over the "pods" they're making today!
Same here. Nothing appeals to anything made in teh last 20 yrs. Some have power but thats it. Disposable cel phones on wheels with tin can wrapping You wont hear any road noise or tire roar in these old beasts! Went for a test drive in a new Accord and CTS V many yrs ago, going through the dealer lot the noise surprised me. I stopped, parked it and told the sales guy no desire for these pos. Later learned all new cars are like that.
my dad bought a used '59 impalla station wagon in the early'60's. it had a 348 ci engine which became later the 396.. we spent many hours in tthe back (family of 7) and did a 10k trip around the west pulling a 16' trailer. loved the cat eyes rear lights.
Yes, an unexpected lift was the cause of raising the rear in high speeds and soemtimes cause some handling problems, though in the 1959 NASCAR season those who raced the Impala complained about it but the car won many races regardlessly of the lifting.
The tail lights on the 1960 Impala were a big improvement over the 1959's. My father bought a 1960 Impala. It was the first Chevrolet he had ever owned. He always had Plymouths before that cat. And from then on all he ever bought and drove were Impalas.
Those cars are wild. I would love to see factory video of the body stamping/fabrication process. Or just hear some stories from some of those wonderful industry folks.
Also, these ‘59 Chevrolets were sold in Australia. Here amber turn signals were mandatory. So Holden, who sold reg Chevrolets in Australia, fixed a pair of small round amber turn signals in little chrome brackets suspended on the batwing, which meant the lights hung downwards at the extreme ends of the wings. Many referred to 5hem as drop earrings.
Excellent, excellent, excellent!! Adam, for my preferences, this is the best video to date! I loved the longer time and the “insider” tidbits of the proposed designs, as well as the idiosyncrasies of the model. Thanks for such enjoyable content with which to wind down at night!
As a 9 year old kid in 1958, I remember watching "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show" one night when she previewed a drawing of the upcoming '59 Chevrolet rear end. I thought, OMG how ugly.
@@UncagedJDog89 But the car that wins THE MOST HIDEOUS rear end of the decade is probably the '58 Edsel wagons with the turn signals point the wrong way.
I once owned a 1960 Cadillac that had a three-piece rear bumper that was damaged on the left end. All I had to do was replace that left end rather than the entire bumper. So my vote is with the three-piece bumper.
In 1977 my mom bought me my first car a '59 2 door Impala sport coupe. Red on red 283 power glide for $1600. It was an exciting day for me I was 17 years old. I loved & worshiped the car & I drove it everyday. One day I failed to yield & my car got wrecked. A sad day sold it for a 100 bucks. in 1979 I bought a 2nd '59 Impala 2 dr. for $1375 from a college kid. It had the 348 turbo glide nice car. I sold it for $600, there wasn't much demand for a '59 Chevy in those days. I had one more '59 2 dr. Impala in 1998 it was just like my first car red on red with the small block. I financed it for $11,500.
Familiar story. Back then wrecking xars from that era were nasty! Today any car even SUV you run into folds up immediately, these old cars are actually "safe" for the first time haha
Thank you, as a fan of Chrysler cars of all eras the 1958 and 59 Chevrolets are in my opinion some of the most stylish of any make. Great series keep it up.
One of my first cars, purchased in the mid 1980s, was a red 1959 Impala 2 door hardtop which I commuted to work in for many years. The most unusual feature of that huge car was that mine had manual steering, but somehow the way the steering was geared and balanced, it was as effortless as power steering. I could steer that car with one finger.
In Australia, amber signal lights were required so 1959 Chevrolets (imported from Canada?) had round, amber lights mounted on the bottom, corner edges of the fins. They don't really stand out but once you notice them it's all you can look at. I've heard people call the one piece '59 and '60 rear bumpers "California bumpers". '59 Chevy's with the optional "horseshoe" continental kits look like they're using the three piece bumpers. '59 was the last year they were featured in the option book but dealers realized they bolted on to '60 models so it helped them move left over inventory. '59's are hugely popular with lowriders. I like their quirkiness but prefer the '60 Impalas over the '59's. I may be biased seeing that my great aunt and uncle owned a blue sport coupe since new that they traded for a '72 Impala sport coupe seeing that the '60's was a somewhat rare Impala with a straight six (with a large running impala emblem instead of the cross flags in the side rocket streak) and non-power assist steering and brakes which made it hard to drive as they got older. It at least had the Powerglide transmission and a rotary dial base am radio which they never listed to. They gave the car to my cousins in pristine condition and they managed to destroy it in less than 3 years. Their '72 Impala is still in the family but had to be restored after another cousin parked it outside in the sun for over 15 years and allowed here kids to jump on the hood, trunk and peeling vinyl top. She bragged about how much money she spent on the restoration. Had she taken care of it like my great aunt did it wouldn't have needed it. When we rode with my great aunt and uncle's '60 we had to sit with our hands on our laps and not make a sound. If we rolled down a window, slammed the doors, kicked the seats or she heard the creaking of the ashtrays open we didn't go for ice cream or McDonalds. Some may think that's overly strict but I respect them setting rules and always rewarding us for being respectful. When my great aunt passed in the late '90's I drove to McDonalds and ordered what she always bought me, a kids burger, fries and small orange soda to eat in my car (a '74 Plymouth Gold Duster at the time) to honor her memory.
Thankfully cars coming into New Zealand had the standard US tail light system. I remember going to Ozz several times and seeing bolt on yellow turn indicators that spoiled the look.
October 1964. First trip home from the hospital after my birth was in dad's 59 Impala, 2 door, black with black interior. (I recently discovered the home movies he made that day). Six cylinder with 3 speed overdrive. I am no. 3 boy, so dad traded car soon after for 1965 Chevelle 2 dr wagon with same 6 cylinder 3 sp-OD options. He loved both vehicles. His best 59 story: he worked in a Catholic high school. One day he drove five nuns home to their convent in a carpool. The sisters said the car was so appropriate, it matched their clothing. They especially appreciated the rear radio speaker, still had classical music on AM stations in 1963.
I remember my dad calling them "turnpike flips". We lived in up-state Penna. and our turnpike was the major highway and when large trucks passed them at a high rate of speed, the wind got under that wing and lifted them over, according to my dad anyway, I was a child, so I believed him.
WellMed Mike don't feel too bad my dad told us that the high tension electric lines between the big towers were actually giant fences they kept the Giants out I remember he quipped have you seen a giant lately of course we all said no and he said see how they good how good they work they were electrified you know. And then we saw that movie with that guy that got blasted by the atomic bomb and well that was all the proof we needed
I just returned from a Cuban vacation and I have nothing but appreciation for the things you’ve taught me. I spent a considerable amount of time and money being driven around in every 60s era American car I could get my hands on! Most were converted diesels but I did find the rare V8. Your insight into these classic machines was invaluable!!
Very interesting and informative, I love history like this. When my grandparents came to Canada from England in 1959, My grandad fell in love with the 1959 Impala specifically because of the V fins. He did get an Impala eventually, he bought one new in 2005 and again in 2010. He sold his 2010 in 2014 to my youngest brother.
Another bit of '59 trivia was that GM was planning on offering a fuel injection option for the 348 big block. But, it was not the familiar Rochester Ramjet unit found on small blocks (yes you could get a '59 Chevy with a Fuel injected 283). They tried experimental units from Rochester, Carter, Borg Warner, TRW, and Bendix. Testers preferred the Borg Warner unit over the others. The 348 Borg Warner sourced timed fuel injection unit used a modern style four throat throttle body on top of a standard style aluminum four bbl intake manifold that had mechanical fuel injectors mounted on the runners near the intake ports on the heads. It used a high pressure (200 psi) fuel injection pump driven off of the camshaft timing sprocket with a chain. It used a unique cast aluminum cover over the pump drive chain and the pump was mounted to the front top of the intake manifold. This was a money saving effort to find a cheaper way to offer fuel injection and was tested on several 1959 Chevy engineering test vehicles, but was ultimately decided against.
I spoke with a good friend who is 87 yo and still works on 1957-1965 Chevrolet Fuel Injection. He bought a new 1957 FI Corvette and later worked at the selling dealership, Davies Chevrolet Seattle. He confirmed that yes fuel injection was a passenger car and Corvette option in 1959. He remembered they sold only one and he did the new car service on a red/red Impala 250hp PG. I own a '63 Impala and remember seeing one at a International meet years ago.
I grew up around these cars. You taught me more with your fantastic informative video in twenty minutes than I knew sixty some years ago. Keep up the great work.
As a boy, in 1959, I remember being AMAZED by the 59 IMPALA. I didn't realise there were any OTHER Impalas - and because of such programmes I've been able to study this wonderful subject!
Great informative video again Mr. Wade. Re. The last segment with one of the initial clay mock ups it appears that 1959 Pontiacs use those tail lights as inspiration.
My parents had a 59 Chevy Brookside station wagon. I was 5 when my father purchased it for my mother to haul around the five kids they had. Remember it well.
Enjoyed this presentation very much. I passed my road test for my driver's license in a 59 Impala 2 door hardtop. Loved that car. Thanks for touching on the seam under the rear fins. I often wondered why they were not finished.
I was 9 yrs. Old, already a car nut. the small town I lived in had a Chevy dealer, so there were many Chevy's. In town. 59's one of my favorites! great video thanks 👍👍👍👍
I was living in Virginia in 1959 and we had a neighbor across the street from us who owned a Chevrolet Impala convertible. It was white with a black top. The car had a red interior. I thought it was very nice looking car and the color combination was striking. I believe the engine was equipped with the Tri-power option of three Rochester two-barrel carburetors.😊
My father bought a new 59 Kingswood station wagon 348, it had a three piece bumper with footpads and the third rear facing seat I love that car. I was young. I’d ride in the back all the time great car.
Great video! I remember driving out west from New Jersey with the family in the '56 Buick, and somewhere in Wyoming, I think, the Buick pooped for some reason I can't recall. This was no later than 1962. So the repair garage lent us or rented us their '59 El Camino for a couple of days, with the folks up front and me and my brother riding in the back. For those two days, we didn't take any 100+ mile daytrips, but we rode around to more local attractions, of which there were not many. I can not express to you how absolutely cool my brother and I thought riding in the back of the El Camino was. It was like all-day Disneyland.
We had a 1960 Chevrolet 2-door sedan. It was the same basic car as the '59, but "sanitized." It was replaced by a 1963 Olds Super 88, and the seating position and comfort was like night and day. Nobody talks about the seat position of the "Forward Look" Chrysler products, but my grandparents had a 1958 DeSoto, and the seat height was very much like our 1960 Chevy..
It's astounding how much steel and sheet metal was used purely for styling purposes. All of the trunk fin thingys and metal in front of and behind the wheel wells could be done away with, it's all for style points. I have a gray 97 camry w I love, and there's nothing extraneous or un-functional on that car. It's also from the 90s aerodynamic-bean era so it's very slick and smooth. They are both beautiful in their own ways, really.
You appreciate simplicity. I also appreciate simplicity and reliability. That’s why I drive ‘90s Toyota products. Simplicity and reliability only appeal to a small segment of the population. That’s how we end up with cars like the ‘59 Chevrolets.
Back in 1963 our family (I was 10) moved from Casselberry, Florida to Eugene, Oregon in a 1959 Chevy Biscayne with a 235 cu. in in-line six cylinder. The car had three-on-the-tree and we towed a trailer that was a truck bed of a Dodge pickup. The trailer hitch was a bolt on device that was mounted on the bumper...not the frame! Here we were...a family of five...trunk full, trailer full, and no seatbelts. Everything went well as we had to travel over the Rock Mountains in Colorado. We kept the car for a few years after the trip. Good engine that "Stovebolt Six."
When we emigrated from the UK in 1966 my father bought a 59 Brookwood two door wagon. It was a bit rough. We only had it for a few years. After that he only bought big Mercurys from then on. It was a neat car.
One thing you didn't mention was that 1959 was the first year you could order a 4 speed manual transmission in your full size Chevy. The Corvette got the Borg Warner T10 4sp mid-year in 1957, but the full size Chevy didn't get the Borg Warner T10 until the 1959 model year. It was the first American full size car to offer a 4sp manual trans in the 1950's. A 4sp Biscayne sedan with the 335hp tri-power 348 and a 4.11 or 4.56 rear gear was quite the performance car that year and did well in A stock and B stock NHRA classes. These cars ran in the very low 14 second range at the strip which was quick for full sized cars in '59.
Thanks for the great video on my all time favorite classic car! Too often these iconic classics are overshadowed by the Bel Airs and Cadillacs of the same era, and not much in depth analysis is given regarding options and “quirks”. Hands down, the ‘59 Impala is THE car in my book, and I thank you for illustrating its many one off features!
First time I saw a buddy get a 59 Impala, lowered it I fell in love with these. Original 283 with a small cam B and M blower polished 5 slots it was his daily he did remodels. Always wanted one, they were cheap for many yrs. Now priced out, finding one thats not smashed, parted out or rusted out is impossible. Coolest "out there" styling! Curved windshields, the dash, all the chrome. Yeah Buddy!
In Australia, to meet local legislation, 59 Chevies had a extra rear light, blinker or reflector hanging down from the each bat wing like a drop tank. Looked great.
We had a 59 impala "2 door pillarless coupe" as my dad said it was called. Massive doors in front and when front and rear windows were down it was this huge opening that was great for those hot summer days. It was a green similar to detroit diesel engines, dont know what its called. My dad said it had the "sStingray 350 horse 327 with a powerglide" in it. I have no idea, except it was fast And that huge trunk.......man, enough space to park the neighbours compact inside Loved that car We were 3 kids at that time My folks would pack pillows behind the front seat and my younger sister would sleep there, i as the eldest would sleep on the back seat and my little brother as the youngest would sleep in the large parcel tray by the back window. We covered many thousands of memorable miles in it. I would sure enjoy having one now.....
Wow, what memories this brings back. My dad was a recently commissioned Air Force Captain in ‘59 who had gotten married a year earlier and had two Corvettes, a 54 and a 58, the latter bought new. He was the stereotypical Jet Jock. Oh, and he found out he had a new arrival on the way. You can’t drive your trophy wife and baby in a ‘vette. So he had to dump the ‘vettes and transform into a domesticated dad. I was the new arrival. The car he bought in ‘59, the year I was born was the ‘59 Impala. In an off-white cream color. They kept that car until ‘65, when they bought a ‘65 Bel Air wagon, appropriate for now 3 kids. The Impala was the first car I remember starting at about 3 years old. I loved that car. It was so “Jetsons” - so space age and modern. My old man never forgave me for being the reason he had to sell his ‘vettes - up to the day he died 5 years ago. He was bitter over it and became more so as he saw how those cars became so valuable as time went by. Of course, it wasn’t my fault, it was his and his pocket rocket. Had he kept that meat missile in its hanger, I wouldn’t be here today and he would have held on to those ‘vettes at least for a while longer.
Shortly after I started college, my aunt and uncle gave me a 10 year old 59 Biscayne coupe. Straight 6, 3 on the column. The car probably had no more than 50,000 mi on it then. Maybe being the basest base model, lacking any weighty options but a radio, she flew. Over 90 a time or two ! She was blue-grey, grey pressed steel, vinyl, and plastic inside. Not a looker, but Unbelievably reliable and dead easy to service. Nothing ever broke...until my brother inherited her from me and wrecked her !
Thanks again, Adam. Another interesting and well-done video. RE: '59 Steering Wheel. As well, I noticed the two smallest cutout holes were missing, and in their place were installed thumb-buttons as part of the ring assembly.
When my dad was a kid they had a neighbor that had a new 59 Chevy station wagon and the undersides of the fins were primed but not painted! When I was going to McPherson college for auto restoration one of my classmates had a 59 Bel Air sedan Pepto Bismol pink and gray had its original exhaust system and that car was so quiet the only thing you could hear was the fan and the generator making a slight noise out of the grill! It had one of the biggest Mufflers I've ever seen !
The 3 piece bumper was also designed to make it convenient to install the optional continental kit by simply swapping the middle section with the continental bumper trough section in between the end pieces. We had a Impala 2 door hardtop in rare cameo coral with the continental bumper.
I had a 60. I didnt like look of the "sunshade" over the rear window of the 59. The smooth flow of the 60 was beautiful. If you were headed east on a summer afternoon though nobody wanted to sit in the back seat. Mine was a white over red 2-door & the color scheme continued inside. It had some neat features. Bucket seats up front & semi buckets in the rear with a speaker for the radio in the seat back between them. (I guess you could seat your 5 year old there & ruin his hearing.) There was a courtesy light that lit the floor when you tilted the front seat backs forward. Pretty cool! I bought it in San Francisco. With all the hills it was tricky to keep from scraping the bumpers. The 348 needed a valve job, which i did. After that it ran fine & didnt leak, much. The Power Glide? Well, it did do what it was designed to do. After a clean up, wax & polish, new shocks, tires, & a pine tree hanging from the rear view it was a great cruiser & caught a lot of eyes. The Friday night street crawler was its job & it did that more than well.
A blue and white one was my first car in 1966. It was a convertible and I loved it. My payments were $47 a month and I had a hard time making payments. Working as a senior stenographer for the state of Tennessee, I only brought home $280 a month. I went hungry the last week of the month. I survived. Later went to nursing school and became an RN. Glad I'm retired. That's a job for a young person.
The first car i bought as a teenager was a 59 348 engine when i wore out the front end i swapped the 348 into a 58 that 58 was my most treasured car i ever owned
Excellent job..very nice. my uncle Pat had a Dark Green Belair model..my eyes as a 10 year old at the time always went to the Fins on the trunk and those 2 huge tail lights..the car had 3 speed standard on the column..
Great video as usual.I learn something new every time I watch a video.IS it just me or does the 58 Impala look more modern than the 59.As always cheers from Eulethra.
My dad had a body shop in the mid sixties and I spent my formative years watching him use long pick hammers to reshape those bat wing rear fenders after a crash. Of course that was still in the body lead era, long before Bondo was a thing.
For the entire video, my only thought was, "... what would have been like in a body shop trying to work on the quarter panel of this thing!!" Copious amounts of body filler was definitely a must have.
I didn't know Harley still had an involvement with the styl8ng after 58. But the 58 elements were very visable especially the rear veiw of the clay model you showed right at the end of the episode. I was 9 yo when this was all happening and the top of my head was blown away with the excitement by all the US designs. I still retain all the little details. I'm glad to hear what you add to that after all these years.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
@ 3:35 - that's my photography! I'm the Creative Director here at the Raleigh Classic, and I took that picture 😊 ❤👍🏼🇺🇸🏆
Nice photo 👍
Nice shot! 👍
Neat seeing your own work pop up I bet! Cant take a clear pic to save my life
That's a great picture! It truly gives that car what the Pontiac designer's wanted people to see!
You're a great photographer you took a picture of my car last year at the speedway car show in Raleigh
Good video, Adam. My dad owned a 59 Convertible, black with red interior, when he married my mom in 1962. I have a picture of them standing next to the car. Absolutely beautiful couple and car!
Love, love LOVE these flat top years!
Why?
@@roberthenry9319 Because they're unique and awesome? Piloting one is quite the experience what with "A" and "C" pillars the width of your wrist, there's almost zero blind spots.
@@roberthenry9319 They will N E V E R go out of style...
LOL Good question. Nostalgia perhaps? Alongside the "bubbletop" look that was at the same time, I find them both to be the perfect "Mid-Century-Modern" look that I love do much.
@@TorCow1234 Yes, best visibility. I was fascinated with curved glass as a kid. Flat top cars Id see images of in library books even drivers ed.
And the hits just keep on coming with Adam! Another great video on another great Chevy!
Hi, informative video. I'll never look at a 59 Chevy again without analyzing the rear bumper and the seam under the fins. Fun facts. Please do this to every American model from 1955 to 1982. Thanks.
Fun facts. Thanks. The series is great. Fun to watch. I spent many hours in a 1960 Belair. Later almost bought a ‘59 Biscayne. Ended up with a ‘63 Catalina. All great cars.
Your 63 was a great design, I remember those!
I love seeing these videos. We had one of these cars, when I was a kid. My dad, bought it new in 1959. Mom wrecked our car, and we were on vacation, out of state in Colorado. The car she totaled was a 1953 Packard. Dad, was a Packard guy, but by that year, they were out of business. We looked at a couple of used cars, but I remember, one car the trunk kept popping open, and the second one, Dad said had a noise in the engine--I was little--just 5 years at that time. Then he decided to buy new--his first. He was conservative, and bought the bottom of the line "Biscayne". It came with a 235 cubic inch 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree, an am radio, heater and seats--that's it. This car was a 4 door, but basic. In fact, the dome light did not even come on when you opened the door, so he wired in switches later. The car did extremely well, and when I was 16, he gave me that car. He then bought a 70 Impala--ready, 250 cubic inch 6 cylinder, 3 on the tree, an am radio, heater, but this had add on air conditioning--not factory--but by a company called "ARA". Again a basic car and a 2 door. Oh yes the big step up, the dome light came on when you opened the door. This was a basic "come on car" at a dealership, to get you to come in and by a more expensive car--350 V8, Automatic, Air Conditioning, Power Steering and Brakes at the minimum. I was with him, and when he told the salesman he would take that stripped car, the salesman's jaw dropped🙈🙈. Again, that car gave many years of excellent service. Then in 1977, I convinced him to get a nice car, a Caprice--fairly loaded. They drove it many years as well, and it served him well. Then in 1989, he bought another Caprice--this one was quite loaded with goodies. He was older, and drove that car 28 years--unbelievable, that car ran and ran. He passed in 2017 at 93 years. He was a WW II Army Vet of 3 years, and a Navy Korean war vet of 4 years. So God bless him, and all Veterans who served this country, deceased and living.🙏🙏
Very nice comment, spanning decades. A 28 year run is remarkable.
@@kjpraman991thanks for the story
@@George-dx9nc You are welcome.
Great story very similar to my Dads life. He was a carrier naval officer and retired to a life of custom home building and goat farming! Traveled to my grandmothers house 300 miles away with five goats in his 74 Chevy 1/2 ton window work van. God bless.
Comma, comma comma. comma comma comma comma comma 🦎.
My uncle had one of these when I was a kid in the mid 60s in black. I loved that car. I really liked those circular gauges. As usual you taught me some new things. Thanks Adam. Those sneaky engineers... lol.
Love those vast steel dashes, all the chrome, curves even chromed exposed headliner bows. No such thing as real chrome these days. Just some stupid coated plastic.
Drive these old things while we still can, there will come a day when its too tough, forbidden or $$ to own these as we get forced into EVs. Wont happen for me I refuse.
Being British I'm supposed to think that the E-type Jaguar is the most beautiful car ever built, but ever since I was given a model Chevrolet Impala taxi back in '62 I've only had eyes for the '59 Impala! Breathtakingly gorgeous.
Great video, Adam! My grandfather had a 1959 powder blue Impala...i was quite young but I remember pur family greeting him when he drove her home and everyone was really in love with it! I loved the interior touches and i believe there was a round speedometer that fascinated me...i still look at the '59 and it reminds me of what we thought the space age was about!!
Not only the speedo, but the twin round gauge 'nacelles' to left and right of it added to the 'Jetsons' look, especially from driver's perspective. Even the rear seat speaker with its chromed grille and big crossed flags emblem was placed where visible in the rear view mirror.
Decades ago I had a Roman Red Sport Coupe with 348 (later replaced with 409 HiPo).
The look down those deep fins through the side view mirrors was intoxicating.
Thanks for the memories and wonderful information on the 59 Impala. Had several friends that had 59 Bel lAire and Impala, They had the 348/335HP 4 speed. I had the 1960 Impala with the same setup. What a great engine to work on, no sensors or emission gear, so getting to the engine was easier.
The 59 and 60 Impalas had several engine options in the 348 Cu.In. series. The various engines had different compression ratios with the 335HP at 11.25:1 the highest and 9.50:1 the lowest. Carburation was either 3-2bbls or one 4bbl. Horsepower varied from 250 to 335. The other engine options were a 6 cyl. and a 283 CI V8. Transmissions included a 3 speed column shift, an automatic, and a 4 speed floor shift. One way to visibly tell the difference in engine displacement was from the hood and trunk emblem. The 6 cyl had the standard Chevrolet emblem (sort of rectangular) with no chrome V. The small block V8 had the same emblem with a chrome V under it, and the 348 series had cross flags above the chrome V.
Decades ago I had a Roman Red '59 Sport Coupe with 348 / Powerglide.
A few notes.
1. Fuel Injection was stiill offered for 1959. I personally have driven a 1959 Impala Sport Coupe that was a factory 250hp RamJet 283 backed by Powerglide. They have " Fuel Injection " call outs on the front fenders.
2. 1959 was the first offical full size Chevrolet that could be equipped with a factory 4 speed manual.
3. 1959 was the final year for " Level Air " air suspension.
4. For 1953-58, full wheelcovers were standard equipment on the top of the line Chevrolet ( it was the Bel Air ).
To make more profit, i guess, full wheelcovers were now optional on all 1959 Chevrolets ( save the Corvette ). Even on the 1959 Impala, full wheelcovers were now a $23 extra!
My 59' Biscayne had poverty caps with cross checkered flags
@@speedfreak8200Nice! A 348 car!
There is a guy here on utube that has a FI 59, and a 58 FI too!
The Impala was the top car in 1958
Neat looking dash. My friend had a '59' with extremely worn tires. He spun it sideways thru a sharp turn after a light rain. We were 14.
So did you crash?
Those tail lights are something to behold!. One year only.
"Behold the glory!"
Yes, I recall what a LETDOWN the rear of the 1960 was.
Those fins are bad azz love it! Always dug oddball/underdog cars.
@@joshm3342 I think I'm more letdown of the front of the '60 Chevy than the rear, looked cheap/plain compared to '59 - but I did like the new "gullwing" fins and the three separate taillights surrounded by the ribbed chrome strip of the '60.
What was sexier than the rear of the ' 59?
The tail lights remind me of the cat eye glasses that women wore in that era.
The tail lights remind me of being a little kid in about 1975 seeing a green one of these in a demolition derby.
I agree with you completely. I’ve owned and driven regularly two 1959 Impalas. I currently have a 1959 Buick and it’s front end, with the canted headlights, also reminds me of those vintage women’s glasses.
They were called horn rim.
@@davezul4396 That's right! Thanks for that memory jog - wow, I have not heard that term for those eyeglass frames in ages. People associate them with sunglasses but my grandmother had a prescription pair in that style that she always wore.
@@davezul4396I’ve known them as Cat Eyes
This is my favorite body style. It looks even better on the el Camino.
I restored a red '59 El Camino in 1989. Beautiful car, wished I still had it. I put a 350 crate engine and a Borg Warner Super T10 trans from an '82 Z28 in it. On Friday night you could go street racing and on Saturday morning, tow your boat to the lake. Good times.
@corvettejohn4507 sounds like an amazing car. Personally I would love a fuel injected 383 with a 6 spd tk trans, 355 lsd rear, four wheel independent coil overs, and disk on all corners. Also living in the Texas gulf coast area I have to have ac. Plus painting it in a pail green and cream with a wild silver lace accent would just make it an ace.
Gr8 vid Adam. That back end is perhaps the most iconic of any American car ever. Well... maybe the Auburn boat tail.
And don't forget about the '71-'72 "boat tail" Rivieras - they're on my lottery list!
Auburn...now that one takes the cake!
My dad owned a 59 Chevrolet. He sold it in 1962. The six had to be rebuilt, the body was full of rust holes that he filled in and then repainted it himself and got rid of it as fast as he could.
Body by Fisher were considered Holy cars, because they’d start to rust just leaving the lot. My Dad had a 64 Impala that had the cancer.
@@geedubb-q1u Really? I thought at one point Fisher Body and GM were well-thought of for durability...?
And I’ll bet he or you wished you still had it now. They’re worth a mint in any condition…
@@judygautier7600…in mint condition would be awesome but how much is the cost to make them mint?
@@67marlins…well I’m just saying what I saw.
Ahhhh, what a great car. Remember these guys driving around when I was a kid.
I like the '59 Impala myself and also liked the dash in these with the separate gauge pods - the car just gave off a sporty, youthful vibe to me, especially the two door. Of course, what do I know - I think the '71-'72 Riviera "boat tails" are beautiful! I remember as a kid waiting on the school bus a guy would drive by at the same time every morning (going to work I presume) in a '59 Impala sport coupe in a beautiful bright red color which was always spotless - to this day, I vividly remember the sight of that car driving by. I'd rather drive a '59 Impala over the "pods" they're making today!
Same here. Nothing appeals to anything made in teh last 20 yrs. Some have power but thats it. Disposable cel phones on wheels with tin can wrapping
You wont hear any road noise or tire roar in these old beasts!
Went for a test drive in a new Accord and CTS V many yrs ago, going through the dealer lot the noise surprised me. I stopped, parked it and told the sales guy no desire for these pos. Later learned all new cars are like that.
Absolutely enjoying this series, Adam. Keep ‘em coming! 👍👍👍
Ditto that.
my dad bought a used '59 impalla station wagon in the early'60's. it had a 348 ci engine which became later the 396.. we spent many hours in tthe back (family of 7) and did a 10k trip around the west pulling a 16' trailer. loved the cat eyes rear lights.
1959 is my favorite year of Chevrolet. I love that body style.
Love these cars and the 59 vette also. Proper old school cool
Mine too. Never like the 1960 rear style as much when they got rid of the egg shaped tail lights.
My dad had a 59 impala, when you exceeded 90 mph the rear fins caused the ass end to come off the ground 😳😳😳
Yes, an unexpected lift was the cause of raising the rear in high speeds and soemtimes cause some handling problems, though in the 1959 NASCAR season those who raced the Impala complained about it but the car won many races regardlessly of the lifting.
The tail lights on the 1960 Impala were a big improvement over the 1959's. My father bought a 1960 Impala. It was the first Chevrolet he had ever owned. He always had Plymouths before that cat. And from then on all he ever bought and drove were Impalas.
Those cars are wild. I would love to see factory video of the body stamping/fabrication process. Or just hear some stories from some of those wonderful industry folks.
Me too, I would be interested in how they fabricated the fins on late 1950s auto.
How they ever stamped the rear panels escapes me, especially around those taillights.
Also, these ‘59 Chevrolets were sold in Australia. Here amber turn signals were mandatory. So Holden, who sold reg Chevrolets in Australia, fixed a pair of small round amber turn signals in little chrome brackets suspended on the batwing, which meant the lights hung downwards at the extreme ends of the wings. Many referred to 5hem as drop earrings.
Excellent, excellent, excellent!! Adam, for my preferences, this is the best video to date! I loved the longer time and the “insider” tidbits of the proposed designs, as well as the idiosyncrasies of the model. Thanks for such enjoyable content with which to wind down at night!
As a 9 year old kid in 1958, I remember watching "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show" one night when she previewed a drawing of the upcoming '59 Chevrolet rear end. I thought, OMG how ugly.
I still think it’s one of the most hideous rear ends ever made
@@UncagedJDog89 But the car that wins THE MOST HIDEOUS rear end of the decade is probably the '58 Edsel wagons with the turn signals point the wrong way.
I once owned a 1960 Cadillac that had a three-piece rear bumper that was damaged on the left end. All I had to do was replace that left end rather than the entire bumper. So my vote is with the three-piece bumper.
My neighbor growing up had a black one. Thought it looked odd. 🤔
Fugly indeed.
This year through the 61 are my favorite years.
‘61 is my personal favorite from the ‘58-‘64 era.
@@alantrimble2881 My favorite as well.
61' is my least favorite... the upsweep at end of rear quarter panels. I like the downsweep of the 62' just fine
In 1977 my mom bought me my first car a '59 2 door Impala sport coupe. Red on red 283 power glide for $1600. It was an exciting day for me I was 17 years old. I loved & worshiped the car & I drove it everyday. One day I failed to yield & my car got wrecked. A sad day sold it for a 100 bucks. in 1979 I bought a 2nd '59 Impala 2 dr. for $1375 from a college kid. It had the 348 turbo glide nice car. I sold it for $600, there wasn't much demand for a '59 Chevy in those days.
I had one more '59 2 dr. Impala in 1998 it was just like my first car red on red with the small block. I financed it for $11,500.
L
Familiar story.
Back then wrecking xars from that era were nasty!
Today any car even SUV you run into folds up immediately, these old cars are actually "safe" for the first time haha
Thank you, as a fan of Chrysler cars of all eras the 1958 and 59 Chevrolets are in my opinion some of the most stylish of any make. Great series keep it up.
One of my first cars, purchased in the mid 1980s, was a red 1959 Impala 2 door hardtop which I commuted to work in for many years. The most unusual feature of that huge car was that mine had manual steering, but somehow the way the steering was geared and balanced, it was as effortless as power steering. I could steer that car with one finger.
Thanks Adam!
I love this series. Maybe.... go all the way through the 60's ?
Your research and knowledge fascinates me !
My uncle had a '59 Impala Convertible. It was such a cool car, and so was my uncle!
Your uncle was a cool car?
@stephenhanneken3041 yes of course.
This car as a 2 door is one of my all-time favorites.
Yep one of the most gorgeous , convertables aren’t bad either.
In Australia, amber signal lights were required so 1959 Chevrolets (imported from Canada?) had round, amber lights mounted on the bottom, corner edges of the fins. They don't really stand out but once you notice them it's all you can look at.
I've heard people call the one piece '59 and '60 rear bumpers "California bumpers". '59 Chevy's with the optional "horseshoe" continental kits look like they're using the three piece bumpers. '59 was the last year they were featured in the option book but dealers realized they bolted on to '60 models so it helped them move left over inventory.
'59's are hugely popular with lowriders. I like their quirkiness but prefer the '60 Impalas over the '59's. I may be biased seeing that my great aunt and uncle owned a blue sport coupe since new that they traded for a '72 Impala sport coupe seeing that the '60's was a somewhat rare Impala with a straight six (with a large running impala emblem instead of the cross flags in the side rocket streak) and non-power assist steering and brakes which made it hard to drive as they got older. It at least had the Powerglide transmission and a rotary dial base am radio which they never listed to. They gave the car to my cousins in pristine condition and they managed to destroy it in less than 3 years.
Their '72 Impala is still in the family but had to be restored after another cousin parked it outside in the sun for over 15 years and allowed here kids to jump on the hood, trunk and peeling vinyl top. She bragged about how much money she spent on the restoration. Had she taken care of it like my great aunt did it wouldn't have needed it.
When we rode with my great aunt and uncle's '60 we had to sit with our hands on our laps and not make a sound. If we rolled down a window, slammed the doors, kicked the seats or she heard the creaking of the ashtrays open we didn't go for ice cream or McDonalds. Some may think that's overly strict but I respect them setting rules and always rewarding us for being respectful.
When my great aunt passed in the late '90's I drove to McDonalds and ordered what she always bought me, a kids burger, fries and small orange soda to eat in my car (a '74 Plymouth Gold Duster at the time) to honor her memory.
Thankfully cars coming into New Zealand had the standard US tail light system. I remember going to Ozz several times and seeing bolt on yellow turn indicators that spoiled the look.
The most informed and intelligent auto styling review that I have ever seen and read !! tops all, and the commentator is extremely "in the know."
Appreciate it!
A New Yorker cartoon at the time showed a 59 Bel Air backing out of a garage and a frightened child screaming “Mommy, something is eating my bicycle!”
Love your channel and videos! Another great 1959 Chevy video is the IIHS crash test pitting a 1959 Bel Air vs. a 2009 Malibu
October 1964. First trip home from the hospital after my birth was in dad's 59 Impala, 2 door, black with black interior. (I recently discovered the home movies he made that day). Six cylinder with 3 speed overdrive. I am no. 3 boy, so dad traded car soon after for 1965 Chevelle 2 dr wagon with same 6 cylinder 3 sp-OD options. He loved both vehicles.
His best 59 story: he worked in a Catholic high school. One day he drove five nuns home to their convent in a carpool. The sisters said the car was so appropriate, it matched their clothing. They especially appreciated the rear radio speaker, still had classical music on AM stations in 1963.
I remember my dad calling them "turnpike flips". We lived in up-state Penna. and our turnpike was the major highway and when large trucks passed them at a high rate of speed, the wind got under that wing and lifted them over, according to my dad anyway, I was a child, so I believed him.
WellMed Mike don't feel too bad my dad told us that the high tension electric lines between the big towers were actually giant fences they kept the Giants out I remember he quipped have you seen a giant lately of course we all said no and he said see how they good how good they work they were electrified you know. And then we saw that movie with that guy that got blasted by the atomic bomb and well that was all the proof we needed
The cars were unstable on the bigger NASCAR tracks. The 1960 as well.
@@andrewbillingsley9377hey 😂
Hey ❤
the color and material combinations for all '59 cars were awsome😮😊
I just returned from a Cuban vacation and I have nothing but appreciation for the things you’ve taught me. I spent a considerable amount of time and money being driven around in every 60s era American car I could get my hands on! Most were converted diesels but I did find the rare V8. Your insight into these classic machines was invaluable!!
Very interesting and informative, I love history like this. When my grandparents came to Canada from England in 1959, My grandad fell in love with the 1959 Impala specifically because of the V fins.
He did get an Impala eventually, he bought one new in 2005 and again in 2010. He sold his 2010 in 2014 to my youngest brother.
Another bit of '59 trivia was that GM was planning on offering a fuel injection option for the 348 big block. But, it was not the familiar Rochester Ramjet unit found on small blocks (yes you could get a '59 Chevy with a Fuel injected 283). They tried experimental units from Rochester, Carter, Borg Warner, TRW, and Bendix. Testers preferred the Borg Warner unit over the others. The 348 Borg Warner sourced timed fuel injection unit used a modern style four throat throttle body on top of a standard style aluminum four bbl intake manifold that had mechanical fuel injectors mounted on the runners near the intake ports on the heads. It used a high pressure (200 psi) fuel injection pump driven off of the camshaft timing sprocket with a chain. It used a unique cast aluminum cover over the pump drive chain and the pump was mounted to the front top of the intake manifold. This was a money saving effort to find a cheaper way to offer fuel injection and was tested on several 1959 Chevy engineering test vehicles, but was ultimately decided against.
I spoke with a good friend who is 87 yo and still works on 1957-1965 Chevrolet Fuel Injection. He bought a new 1957 FI Corvette and later worked at the selling dealership, Davies Chevrolet Seattle. He confirmed that yes fuel injection was a passenger car and Corvette option in 1959. He remembered they sold only one and he did the new car service on a red/red Impala 250hp PG. I own a '63 Impala and remember seeing one at a International meet years ago.
I grew up around these cars. You taught me more with your fantastic informative video in twenty minutes than I knew sixty some years ago. Keep up the great work.
One of your best vids Adam! Lot's of inside information that I hadn't heard before!
As a boy, in 1959, I remember being AMAZED by the 59 IMPALA.
I didn't realise there were any OTHER Impalas - and because of such programmes I've been able to study this wonderful subject!
Agree! The '57 was OK, but (maybe after the tank-like '58s) the 1959 was the coolest and most iconic.
Great informative video again Mr. Wade. Re. The last segment with one of the initial clay mock ups it appears that 1959 Pontiacs use those tail lights as inspiration.
My parents had a 59 Chevy Brookside station wagon. I was 5 when my father purchased it for my mother to haul around the five kids they had. Remember it well.
Enjoyed this presentation very much. I passed my road test for my driver's license in a 59 Impala 2 door hardtop. Loved that car.
Thanks for touching on the seam under the rear fins. I often wondered why they were not finished.
I was 9 yrs. Old, already a car nut. the small town I lived in had a Chevy dealer, so there were many Chevy's. In town. 59's one of my favorites! great video thanks 👍👍👍👍
The 409...! She's so fine, my 409...! The only engine with a song about it...!!!!!
I wish you would do a show on the 1956 Cadillac love your show Keep Up the good work
I was living in Virginia in 1959 and we had a neighbor across the street from us who owned a Chevrolet Impala convertible. It was white with a black top. The car had a red interior. I thought it was very nice looking car and the color combination was striking. I believe the engine was equipped with the Tri-power option of three Rochester two-barrel carburetors.😊
My father bought a new 59 Kingswood station wagon 348, it had a three piece bumper with footpads and the third rear facing seat I love that car. I was young. I’d ride in the back all the time great car.
Great video! I remember driving out west from New Jersey with the family in the '56 Buick, and somewhere in Wyoming, I think, the Buick pooped for some reason I can't recall. This was no later than 1962. So the repair garage lent us or rented us their '59 El Camino for a couple of days, with the folks up front and me and my brother riding in the back. For those two days, we didn't take any 100+ mile daytrips, but we rode around to more local attractions, of which there were not many. I can not express to you how absolutely cool my brother and I thought riding in the back of the El Camino was. It was like all-day Disneyland.
We had a 1960 Chevrolet 2-door sedan. It was the same basic car as the '59, but "sanitized." It was replaced by a 1963 Olds Super 88, and the seating position and comfort was like night and day. Nobody talks about the seat position of the "Forward Look" Chrysler products, but my grandparents had a 1958 DeSoto, and the seat height was very much like our 1960 Chevy..
I just noticed this, but I'm thinking maybe that rear end with the batwing fins and the cat eye taillights looks kinda like a tiki statue. I love it!
It's astounding how much steel and sheet metal was used purely for styling purposes. All of the trunk fin thingys and metal in front of and behind the wheel wells could be done away with, it's all for style points.
I have a gray 97 camry w I love, and there's nothing extraneous or un-functional on that car. It's also from the 90s aerodynamic-bean era so it's very slick and smooth.
They are both beautiful in their own ways, really.
You appreciate simplicity. I also appreciate simplicity and reliability. That’s why I drive ‘90s Toyota products. Simplicity and reliability only appeal to a small segment of the population. That’s how we end up with cars like the ‘59 Chevrolets.
One of my all time favorite cars!
Back in 1963 our family (I was 10) moved from Casselberry, Florida to Eugene, Oregon in a 1959 Chevy Biscayne with a 235 cu. in in-line six cylinder. The car had three-on-the-tree and we towed a trailer that was a truck bed of a Dodge pickup. The trailer hitch was a bolt on device that was mounted on the bumper...not the frame! Here we were...a family of five...trunk full, trailer full, and no seatbelts. Everything went well as we had to travel over the Rock Mountains in Colorado. We kept the car for a few years after the trip. Good engine that "Stovebolt Six."
As a kid we had a neighbor who had a two door, solid black with red and black interior. It was beautiful
The front bumper also came as either a one or two piece, depending on place of manufacture.
Hey ❤
When we emigrated from the UK in 1966 my father bought a 59 Brookwood two door wagon. It was a bit rough. We only had it for a few years. After that he only bought big Mercurys from then on. It was a neat car.
One thing you didn't mention was that 1959 was the first year you could order a 4 speed manual transmission in your full size Chevy. The Corvette got the Borg Warner T10 4sp mid-year in 1957, but the full size Chevy didn't get the Borg Warner T10 until the 1959 model year. It was the first American full size car to offer a 4sp manual trans in the 1950's. A 4sp Biscayne sedan with the 335hp tri-power 348 and a 4.11 or 4.56 rear gear was quite the performance car that year and did well in A stock and B stock NHRA classes. These cars ran in the very low 14 second range at the strip which was quick for full sized cars in '59.
Awesome. My friend when were like 8 his family had a ‘59 sedan. I remember being really confused it was very wild even 15 years later around 1974.
one of my favorites. a wonderful example of late 50s, early 60s!
This was my first car. One other fact, you could easity lay down in the back seat, the car was really wide.
Not if you're 6.4 ;~/
I bet you could!! 😉
Thanks for this post......I especially liked the final minutes where the clay proposals were shown.
Thanks for the great video on my all time favorite classic car! Too often these iconic classics are overshadowed by the Bel Airs and Cadillacs of the same era, and not much in depth analysis is given regarding options and “quirks”. Hands down, the ‘59 Impala is THE car in my book, and I thank you for illustrating its many one off features!
This was very interesting, Adam! Thank you for compiling and sharing this list. I only knew of 1 of the 10 things you mentioned.
1959 was probably the best year for cars EVER, absolutely incredible all around!
When GM introduced their '59 models, the '58's instantly became dinosaurs!
Dad had a '58 Biscayne, then my grandfather got a '59 Impala, and Dad got into a '62 Biscayne. The '62 looked downright tame after the other two.
First time I saw a buddy get a 59 Impala, lowered it I fell in love with these.
Original 283 with a small cam B and M blower polished 5 slots it was his daily he did remodels. Always wanted one, they were cheap for many yrs. Now priced out, finding one thats not smashed, parted out or rusted out is impossible.
Coolest "out there" styling! Curved windshields, the dash, all the chrome. Yeah Buddy!
Those inboard wheels on that Canadian car look sooooo janky
Wide wheels and fat rubber would help tremendously.
Like NASCAR.
Hey❤
@@Johnnycdrumshey ❤
In Australia, to meet local legislation, 59 Chevies had a extra rear light, blinker or reflector hanging down from the each bat wing like a drop tank. Looked great.
I'll bet.. 🙄
We had a 59 impala "2 door pillarless coupe" as my dad said it was called.
Massive doors in front and when front and rear windows were down it was this huge opening that was great for those hot summer days.
It was a green similar to detroit diesel engines, dont know what its called.
My dad said it had the "sStingray 350 horse 327 with a powerglide" in it. I have no idea, except it was fast
And that huge trunk.......man, enough space to park the neighbours compact inside
Loved that car
We were 3 kids at that time
My folks would pack pillows behind the front seat and my younger sister would sleep there, i as the eldest would sleep on the back seat and my little brother as the youngest would sleep in the large parcel tray by the back window.
We covered many thousands of memorable miles in it.
I would sure enjoy having one now.....
Very enjoyable and I learned a lot of things I had no idea of!! Thank you. Andy
I've never heard the fins of the 1959 full size Chevrolets as bat wings. I always heard them referred to as gull wings.
I believe "gull wings" are what they called the '60 Chevy fins.
@@TomSnyder-gx5ruhey ❤
Hey ❤
Wow, what memories this brings back. My dad was a recently commissioned Air Force Captain in ‘59 who had gotten married a year earlier and had two Corvettes, a 54 and a 58, the latter bought new. He was the stereotypical Jet Jock. Oh, and he found out he had a new arrival on the way. You can’t drive your trophy wife and baby in a ‘vette. So he had to dump the ‘vettes and transform into a domesticated dad. I was the new arrival. The car he bought in ‘59, the year I was born was the ‘59 Impala. In an off-white cream color. They kept that car until ‘65, when they bought a ‘65 Bel Air wagon, appropriate for now 3 kids. The Impala was the first car I remember starting at about 3 years old. I loved that car. It was so “Jetsons” - so space age and modern.
My old man never forgave me for being the reason he had to sell his ‘vettes - up to the day he died 5 years ago. He was bitter over it and became more so as he saw how those cars became so valuable as time went by. Of course, it wasn’t my fault, it was his and his pocket rocket. Had he kept that meat missile in its hanger, I wouldn’t be here today and he would have held on to those ‘vettes at least for a while longer.
I grew up with these cars but I learned a lot from this.
Shortly after I started college, my aunt and uncle gave me a 10 year old 59 Biscayne coupe. Straight 6, 3 on the column. The car probably had no more than 50,000 mi on it then. Maybe being the basest base model, lacking any weighty options but a radio, she flew. Over 90 a time or two ! She was blue-grey, grey pressed steel, vinyl, and plastic inside. Not a looker, but Unbelievably reliable and dead easy to service. Nothing ever broke...until my brother inherited her from me and wrecked her !
Thanks again, Adam. Another interesting and well-done video. RE: '59 Steering Wheel. As well, I noticed the two smallest cutout holes were missing, and in their place were installed thumb-buttons as part of the ring assembly.
When my dad was a kid they had a neighbor that had a new 59 Chevy station wagon and the undersides of the fins were primed but not painted! When I was going to McPherson college for auto restoration one of my classmates had a 59 Bel Air sedan Pepto Bismol pink and gray had its original exhaust system and that car was so quiet the only thing you could hear was the fan and the generator making a slight noise out of the grill! It had one of the biggest Mufflers I've ever seen !
The 3 piece bumper was also designed to make it convenient to install the optional continental kit by simply swapping the middle section with the continental bumper trough section in between the end pieces. We had a Impala 2 door hardtop in rare cameo coral with the continental bumper.
Every car with a conti-kit looks like ass.
Grew up in 59 Brookwood. Loved the lines. Fell in love with cars from that one
My Dad had one with the continental wheel bumper in rear.
Yes, Adam, I like the series. Thank you.
I had a 60. I didnt like look of the "sunshade" over the rear window of the 59. The smooth flow of the 60 was beautiful. If you were headed east on a summer afternoon though nobody wanted to sit in the back seat.
Mine was a white over red 2-door & the color scheme continued inside. It had some neat features. Bucket seats up front & semi buckets in the rear with a speaker for the radio in the seat back between them. (I guess you could seat your 5 year old there & ruin his hearing.) There was a courtesy light that lit the floor when you tilted the front seat backs forward. Pretty cool!
I bought it in San Francisco. With all the hills it was tricky to keep from scraping the bumpers.
The 348 needed a valve job, which i did. After that it ran fine & didnt leak, much. The Power Glide? Well, it did do what it was designed to do.
After a clean up, wax & polish, new shocks, tires, & a pine tree hanging from the rear view it was a great cruiser & caught a lot of eyes.
The Friday night street crawler was its job & it did that more than well.
I call the rear of the 59 Impalas wings and not fins
To me they took the Buick frt and made it the Chevy rear.
A blue and white one was my first car in 1966. It was a convertible and I loved it. My payments were
$47 a month and I had a hard time making payments. Working as a senior stenographer for the state of Tennessee, I only brought home $280 a month. I went hungry the last week of the month.
I survived. Later went to nursing school and became an RN. Glad I'm retired. That's a job for a young person.
The first car i bought as a teenager was a 59 348 engine when i wore out the front end i swapped the 348 into a 58 that 58 was my most treasured car i ever owned
Awesome series, thank you - MORE please
Excellent job..very nice. my uncle Pat had a Dark Green Belair model..my eyes as a 10 year old at the time always went to the Fins on the trunk and those 2 huge tail lights..the car had 3 speed standard on the column..
Great video as usual.I learn something new every time I watch a video.IS it just me or does the 58 Impala look more modern than the 59.As always cheers from Eulethra.
My dad had a body shop in the mid sixties and I spent my formative years watching him use long pick hammers to reshape those bat wing rear fenders after a crash. Of course that was still in the body lead era, long before Bondo was a thing.
For the entire video, my only thought was, "... what would have been like in a body shop trying to work on the quarter panel of this thing!!" Copious amounts of body filler was definitely a must have.
@@jefweb5043hey ❤
I didn't know Harley still had an involvement with the styl8ng after 58. But the 58 elements were very visable especially the rear veiw of the clay model you showed right at the end of the episode. I was 9 yo when this was all happening and the top of my head was blown away with the excitement by all the US designs. I still retain all the little details. I'm glad to hear what you add to that after all these years.
The old school GM tool and die makers were the best! Love those cars!