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If someone was asked to sum up the 1950s in a single automotive icon, chances are that icon will be the 1957 Bel Air. It's simply one of those rare vehicles that encapsulate almost every recognizable aspect of that vibrant and exciting decade. It's also one of the few instances where a relatively ordinary mass-market car manages to set itself apart as a genuine icon of the age. It had fins, flash and most importantly, horsepower.

The Impala continued its rapid progression in ’62 with a model more angular than the previous years. All of the models, excluding the 4-door hardtop, now featured “C” pillar styling. This new “convertible roof” styling was sensational and proved to be very successful. Because of this, ’62-’64 Impalas became popular collector cars.

Chevrolet introduced the Impala in 1958 as their top-of-the-line full-size model. It competed well against competition from Ford and Plymouth. The design of the 1958 Impala signaled a move by Chevrolet away from conservative models of previous years. Sharp, flat shapes became extravagant curves. The company engineered the car differently, changing the frame from the simple perimeter style to a frame characterized by an elongated 'X' in the middle for extra rigidity. The new frame meant that the passenger compartment could be lower and bigger. The body carried extra stiffening and attached more securely to the frame, making it a forerunner to unitized construction of the body and the chassis.

In this special 40th Anniversary issue we’re featuring some of our all-time favorite 1959 photos. We hope you will enjoy looking back 40 years, to 1959!

“Longer, lower, and wider” the ’59 leaped into the world of innovative cars. It was considered a complete renovation from the 1958 Impala. There were certain characteristics that remained the same, but the overall appearance had undergone a complete make-over. Well, in both instances, you encountered an Impala. Yes, the unequaled Chevy Impala is named after the swift Impala antelope of the African Savannas.