It was the end of the fabulous fifties! Rock and Roll was blaring everywhere from the newly developed transistor radios, the space race was on and Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th states. Capping off the decade, Chevrolet turned out nearly 1.5 million automobiles for 1959! The elite model for Chevrolet was the Impala and the two-door convertible Impala was truly a work of art. Stretching out for 210.9 inches, the Impala was sleek and stylish with chrome "spear" molding streaking from the back panel to the front, space-age fins and an agressive grille. Various engine options were available, ranging from the 230 horsepower Super Turbo-fire V-8 engine ($147) to an awesome 345 horsepower package that combined a Super Turbo-fire Thrust engine ($269) with dual-exhaust and 3x2V carburetors. To enhance its appeal with all types of drivers, the '59 Impala could also be had with a variety of transmissions - from a Corvette-type Powerglide transmission to a manual four-speed. Now a fully equipped white '59 Chevrolet Impala convertible has been recaptured in a striking 1:43 scale precision engineered die-cast model.

Original sticker price: $2,967
Current value: $19,000 (add 10% with speed options 10% for factory air and 5% for four speed transmission)
Production quantity: 72,765

Fast Facts:
• Two-tone paint option: $27.
• Ram-Jet fuel-injection available in addition to seven transmission choices.
• Optional Positraction with3.36, 3.55 or 4.11 gears: $48.

(1996)

Scale: 1:43