Chevrolet Impala (1st gen)
1958–1959
Lowest price
US$31,000
Since 2020
Median price
US$115,500
Since 2020 · n=49
Highest price
US$251,000
Since 2020
Sold cars
49
All time
Sell-through
100%
Of 49 lots

Based on 49 verified auction results
US$143,000
Market value · recent verified sales
+10.6%
12-month change
Hold or Wait
Appreciating but pace slowing. Patient buyers may find better entry.
Median sold price up 10.6% over the last 12 months. Hold if owned; chasing the trend at peak carries risk.
MSRP
—
Collectibility
6/10
Collectible
3-Year Forecast
US$181,059
+27%
5-Year Forecast
US$195,553
+37%
Market scores
54
Desirability
Thin
30
Liquidity
Good
70
Resale Outlook
Option premiums
What every option is worth.
Hardtop included
−US$17,063-15%6 with · 43 without · med confidence
Built ≤ 1958
+US$13,125+11%24 with · 13 without · high confidence
Manual gearbox
−US$11,813-10%8 with · 31 without · high confidence
Premiums compare the median price of sales with each option against comparable sales without it, mined from verified auction listings. Options interact in ways a one-at-a-time split can’t capture — treat each premium as directional rather than gospel.
Marque analyst note
The first-generation Chevrolet Impala has appreciated 10.6% over the past year to a current median of $143,000, supported by steady collector demand and a high-confidence outlook. This gain, while solid, reflects measured momentum rather than speculative froth in the market.
The thin liquidity environment—nine transactions tracked over the past twelve months against a broader database of 49 sales—suggests that buyers and sellers operate in a patient, selective market. No active listings at present underscores how these cars tend to move through direct channels or specialized auctions rather than open inventory.
First-generation Impalas occupy the collectible tier with moderate desirability, a classification that rewards originality and documented provenance but lacks the scarcity premium of rarer American muscle cars. Production volume data is not available, but the model's commercial success in the late 1950s means examples remain available to serious collectors without extreme rarity constraints.
The base projection signals meaningful appreciation ahead: the market is expected to reach $181,059 within three years (26.6% gain) and $195,553 within five years (36.8% gain). This trajectory reflects underlying strength in the full-size American classic segment and continued institutional collector interest.
The hold-or-wait signal is appropriate for current holders; the car has room to run over a medium-term horizon without urgency to transact now. Incoming buyers should expect to negotiate values in the low-to-mid $140,000 range, with condition and authenticity serving as the primary price differentiators in this thin market.
Depreciation Benchmark
- Current avg valueUS$143,000
- Annual appr. rate+10.6%/yr
- Segment average+3.0 to +9.5%/yr
Vehicle History Signals
- Auction lots tracked49
- Damage or salvage declared0 (0.0%)
- No damage declared49 (100.0%)
Est. Annual Ownership Costs
- Insurance (agreed value)US$1,140
- MaintenanceUS$3,220
- StorageUS$3,220
- Depreciation— (appreciating)
- Total annual costUS$7,580
Market Liquidity
- Active Listings0
- Sales Last 12 Months12
- Sell-Through24%
Market Snapshot
- Active Listings0
- Avg Sale PriceUS$119,907
- Avg Mileage at Sale—
- Recent Price RangeUS$31,000 – US$251,000
- Total Sales Tracked49
Recent sales
Showing latest 20US$31,000
Bring a Trailer · 3 Aug 2026
Gray · Powerglide 2-speed automatic
US$165,000
mecum · 25 Jul 2026
Pearl White · Automatic
US$143,500
Bring a Trailer · 23 Jul 2026
Blue · Automatic
US$143,000
mecum · 16 May 2026
Blue · Automatic
US$154,000
mecum · 16 May 2026
Onyx Black · Automatic
US$203,500
mecum · 16 May 2026
Onyx Black · Manual
US$143,000
mecum · 16 May 2026
Tropical Turquoise · Automatic
US$251,000
Bring a Trailer · 16 May 2026
700R4 automatic
US$104,500
mecum · 16 May 2026
Red · Automatic
US$192,500
mecum · 16 May 2026
Onyx Black · Automatic
Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.