Wagons in vintage Street scenes

The 4 dr sedan is a Bel Air, not an Impala, and being a 2 tone job with a continental kit on the back, it is a rare car to say the least. Even in 1958. you didn't see that many continental kit cars on the road. It was an expensive option, and most people didn't want the extra weight hanging off the rear. I think that there are more continental kits on cars today than there were when the cars were new.

 

Thats right. The 2nd car from the left in the daytime pic is also a '58 Bel-Air sedan, but it dont have the continental kit. Bel-Air was Chevys top of the line 4dr in '58, Impala was available, but only as a convertible in '58. My dad had one (that was actually a decent car I think) that he sold to a junk yard in the 70s!

Starting in 1959, the Impala became the new top-level model for sedans, coupes and wagons as well and Bel-Air was the mid-level and Biscayne was the base model.

 

1958 Impala Coupe.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3NhKPsi1-I

 

X2. You beat me to it. 58 Impala was basically an option on the top of the line 2 door hard top and convertible Bel Air. Kind of like the first GTO was an option, not it's own model. The rear Bumper on that 58 is standard fare, not an extended continental kit bumper. However, upon further review, I believe he was talking about the car in the night time picture directly above it. That 58 four door does indeed have a continental kit. So, I guess you are both right.
I'd love to have a 58 Bel Air four door.

 

This pic has so much going for it..
The hair, the stache and the old Ford crew cab in the pic doesn't hurt either.

 

I'm afraid I would have to take issue with that one. The quarter panel and rear body sheet metal on the '58 Impala was completely different, having a cove area that housed 3 lights on each side, instead of 2 for all the other '58 Chevy body styles (except for wagons, which had only 1). In addition, the roofline of the hardtop Impala was completely different from that of the Bel Air 2-door hardtop.

I would call the Impala it's own model.

Impala:


Bel Air:

 

I won't disagree with your observations Krash, because they are indeed correct.
The point I was trying to make is that the Impala was introduced as a trim model in 58, Much like the Caprice was introduced as a trim model in 65. Each became a stand alone "model" the following year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Impala

First generation (1958)

The Impala was introduced in 1958 and positioned as top of the line Bel Air coupes and convertibles.

Second generation (1959–1960)

Impala was now a separate series, including a four-door hardtop and four-door sedan, as well as the two-door Sport Coupe and convertible.

 

The Moulin Rouge Las Vegas.

 

University Way & 45th Street, Seattle 1959.

 

65th St. at 15th Ave. NW, Seattle 1958.

 

Union between 22nd & 23rd, Seattle 1957.

 

South Lake Union, Seattle 1959.

 

California Avenue, Seattle 1956.

 

Doric 6th Avenue Motor Hotel. 2000 6th Avenue, Seattle, Washington.