Nobody ever sang a song about Fifty-Nine Chevys…but the Chappells have had a fine time with one for 47 years. We found our 1959 Impala convertible for sale at a Wilmington, Delaware dealership used car lot in the fall of 1960 for $1750 with 18,000 miles on the odometer. Its Gothic Gold paint caught our eye as it seemed a sporty yet sedate color for a ragtop. However, it appears to be a rare color for a ’59 Chevy convertible, for we have seen only two others since then.

            There is a saying: “When the top goes down, the price goes up!” During our 47 years of ownership, we find we have been singing a different song: “When the top goes down, the fun begins!”
            Over the years, our Impala has evolved from a functional life to an enjoyable life. It was our primary car through the sixties while our three youngsters were growing up. Our respective parents took a dim view of us driving a convertible with youngsters on board, but fortunately, there were no difficulties. In fact, there were three separate years that Pat drove the weekly kindergarten car pool with several five year olds and their paraphernalia aboard. They loved it when the weather was nice and the top was down. We transported kids to the local swim club and home again while sitting on soggy beach towels. We cooled off on hot summer nights, top down, with our three kids aboard. Back in the sixties and early seventies, one could smell the honeysuckle and listen to the katydids and crickets while motoring along a rural road. The kids were rewarded with a stop at the ice cream parlor, if they behaved in the car. Those were some of the fun times.
            The car also was used for hauling groceries, shopping trips, assorted medical appointments, visits to relatives and friends, vacations and all the other things for which one needs a car. We even used it as a moving van, top down, carrying furniture and other household goods to a new home six blocks away. Those were some of the functional times.
            In 1969, we bought a new station wagon and the ’59 Impala was relegated to second car status. That meant it was the drive to work car, exposed to the hazards of daily use in all kinds of weather. It even made a few trips to assorted Army posts for Dick to fulfill his annual two week Army Reserve active duty for training requirement. Fortunately, the car was nearly always garaged, for we all know convertibles are fragile and prone to leak. While it picked up its share of minor dings and scratches, the car was regularly maintained and never abused.
            Production of American convertibles ceased in 1976, enhancing our interest in keeping ours. However, during the late seventies and early eighties as our interest and involvement in 1955-1957 Chevrolets soared, we found that our use of the ’59 Impala steadily declined and it spent most of its time in a relative’s garage. Although it was always tagged and insured, it was rarely driven and from 1977 to 1984 the car logged only some 2500 miles. We were uncertain of just what we should do with the car. Then, in 1984, Lady Luck intervened.
            That summer, the Late Great Chevy Association held a convention in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. It was close to home, so we decided to attend with the ’59. There we had the opportunity to meet many 1958-1964 Chevy owners. Their enthusiasm and the fact that there was a club for those years whet our appetite. It was at that convention we met Jim Carlson of Holmen, Wisconsin. Jim owned a body shop and was a 1958-59 Chevy specialist. After talking with him and seeing his superb customized ’59 convertible, we decided he was the right person for the job we had in mind. The following summer, we re-united with Jim at the St. Ignace , Michigan Straits Area Auto Show and he agreed to do the minor, but necessary body work and repaint our Impala. In September, 1985, Dick drove the car, stripped of most of its interior upholstery and exterior trim, to Wisconsin for Jim to do an on-frame restoration. During the two years Jim had the car, we’d occasionally keep in touch by phone. One day in mid-winter, we asked how things were coming along and he responded: “Well, it’s under a couple of really big snow drifts, but I’ll let you know when spring comes!” So much for Jim’s sense of humor.
            In October, 1987, Jim trailered the car from Wisconsin to Carlisle , Pennsylvania for the Fall Swap Meet. We were delighted to see the absolutely stunning paint job and superb body work. It was everything we hoped for and more. It was a great thrill driving it back home to Delaware , knowing that we had made the right choice. That winter and following spring was spent reinstalling the interior and exterior parts that had been cleaned, polished and refurbished.
            On to the next step, which involved driving the Impala to the Detroit area, where a talented “old school” mechanic, whom our friend Larry Spicer recommended, had his shop. During the next five days, “Reds” completely rebuilt the 230 hp 283 cid V-8 engine, while Dick had an opportunity to detail the engine compartment. Driving the car back to Delaware was a great thrill, for now not only did the car look great, it ran superbly.
            The entire restoration has been a work in progress with all aspects of maintenance, detailing and improvements an ongoing process. Our approach has been to preserve as much originality on the car as possible. Over the last 20 years, a new white top, new windshield and side glass were installed. We were very fortunate to have found some NOS Gothic Gold convertible seat insert material many years earlier and the seats were re-done with NOS and reproduction material. Almost all exterior trim, grille, grille guard, wheel covers, interior door and side panels, rubber floor mat, sun visors and instruments are original. The entire running gear is original, as is nearly all the sheet metal.
            By 1990, the major restoration work had been completed. It was time for fun again. Since then it has been driven over 18,000 miles to various shows and meets, some as far away as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A highlight for us was at the LGCA International Convention in 1998 in Indianapolis, where we drove the Impala on a slow lap around the famous “500” Speedway with many other fine Chevys. In July, 2007, while on the way to the 33rd Eckler’s Chevy Classics International Convention in Hagerstown , Maryland , the original odometer turned over to 95,000 original miles in the Impala’s 48th year.
            Over the years, the Impala progressed through various stages of life. First, it was our primary family car, later becoming the “go to work” car. Then, it steadily fell out of favor and was hardly used for several years. One wonders what may have become of the car had it not been for the Late Great Chevy Convention in 1984 in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. That event inspired and encouraged us to preserve the then 25 year old car, especially since we had owned it for so long.
            Since then, it evolved into a fun car, used only for cruises, shows, meets and parades. Parades? Yes indeed! With the top down, it’s a fine parade car. We’ve been honored to have some luminaries and dignitaries wave at the crowds from the back seat of our ‘59, including entertainers Freddie “Boom Boom” Cannon, Johnny Tillotson, Brian Hyland, Ronnie Dove, Bruce Dodson, the Mayor of St. Ignace, Michigan and the late Bob Cadaret, Chevrolet stylist, who reportedly coined the name “Impala” for Chevrolet. Once, top down, it carried a bride and groom from their wedding ceremony to the reception.
            We have had this car a very long time and some of its many memories are described here. As time goes by, we expect to add more memories, for when the top goes down, the fun continues with our fine Fifty-Nine.