1959 Chevrolet Impala Convertible

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

By the mid-60s Southern California was engulfed in a car craze, captivating young men like Steven J. Karlock, who became enamored with the Shelby 427 Cobra. Steven's passion for high-quality cars began with a Cobra, extended to Corvettes, and grew to include many legendary marques. Together with his wife, Jackie, he restored and cherished these vehicles. They later moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where they opened Karlock's Museum of Pop Culture in a historic grain depot along the Mississippi River. The museum, showcasing top-tier motorcars and memorabilia, became a Midwest gem. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present The Karlock’s Collection, offered entirely without reserve. 

The March 1959 issue of Motor Trend called the fuel-injected Impala a “Chevy that handles like a sports car…for five!” The Impala was Chevy’s new top-of-the-line model in 1958, a limited-edition Bel Air. For 1959 Impala was now a stand-alone model, with a four-door hardtop and four-door sedan joining the original two-door Sport Coupe, convertible, and five-door station wagon. Power was by the company’s top engines, including the 283 cu-in V8 with Rochester “Ram-Jet” mechanical fuel injection with 250 or 290 horsepower versions, the same engine available on the Corvette, though sadly this was the last year of the rare “Fuelie” option on the Impala. Standard features were front and rear armrests, an electric clock, dual sliding sun visors, and crank-operated front vent windows.  

This unrestored 1959 Impala Convertible joined The Karlock’s Collection on 11 August 2007. When acquired it was powered by a fuel-injected 283 cu-in V8, added by a prior caretaker at some point in the Impala’s history, with a column shifted Powerglide automatic transmission. Some owners chose to remove the fuel-injection units from their Chevys and Corvettes, regressing to more familiar carburetors. Others bought those cast-off systems and updated their Chevys, preferring to drive a sports car for five. 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Karlock’s Collection  

• Unrestored Impala convertible  

• 283 cu-in V8 with Rochester “Ram Jet” mechanical fuel injection added by a prior owner 

• Column-shifted Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission 

• The chassis number (F59B251025) decodes as: 

  • F – Series 1800 Impala / Nomad, eight cylinder 

  • 59 – 1959 model year 

  • B – Baltimore, Maryland, final assembly plant 

  • 251025 – Sequential production number starting with 100001 

• The Fisher Body Tag decodes as: 

  • Style: 59-1867 – 1959 Impala two-door convertible 

  • Body: LA-52201 – Van Nuys, California, plant sequence number 

  • Trim: 874 – Red vinyl and cloth interior  

  • Paint: 936 – Snowcrest White 

Features 

• Power brakes 

• Power top 

• AM “Wonderbar” signal-seeking radio 

• Deluxe wheel covers 

• Heater 

• Front and rear armrests 

• Electric clock 

• Dual sliding sun visors 

• Crank-operated front vent windows 

• Chrome bumpers, front and rear 

• Quad headlights 

• Polished trim 

• Almond-shaped front air inlets 

• Wraparound windshield 

• Dual exterior rearview mirrors 

• Bench seats, front and rear 

• 120 mph speedometer 

• Two-spoke steering wheel 

• Locking glove compartment 

• Dual exhaust outlets 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Karlock’s Collection are offered after many years of static museum display, without operation or road use. The selling estate endeavored to advance all cars to running condition, however, as a result of the extended museum display, it is to be assumed that every lot will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All cars will have immediate needs associated with long-term static display and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is.  

• Stone chips and touch-up paint in front 

• Minor dents in driver’s quarter chrome trim 

• Touch-up throughout 

• Paint chips on front fenders 

• Dent in each front fender 

Included 

• Red vinyl boot cover 

• The Chevrolet Story book 

• Assorted spare parts  

Ownership History 

The Karlock’s Collection acquired this 1959 Chevrolet Impala Fuel-Injected Convertible in 2007 from Steve Hollingsworth of Rancho Cucamonga, California, who owned the Impala from 1990.  

Additional Notes  

A private preview will be hosted by Hagerty Marketplace for registered bidders on Sunday August 18 and Monday the 19th.  You must call the representing Car Specialist, Ramsey Potts (912.508.4096), in advance to secure an appointment. 

Additionally, due to the cars being stored in a personal residence, following the close of the auction all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Tuesday, September 3rd through Tuesday, September 10. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 3 and any lots remaining after September 10 will be removed from the facility and placed in an adjacent lot. 

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.   

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096 email: rpotts@hagerty.com