The 1958-1964 Chevy Impala and its Delray, Biscayne, and Bel Air siblings are hugely popular platforms for restoration and modification. These versatile Full Size Chevy cars were available in a wide range of configurations, from sporty 2-door hardtops and convertibles to family-friendly 4-door sedans and station wagons. As a result, it's easy to get confused about which of these vehicle series was paired with a certain model, or to mix up terminology (e.g. sedan versus hardtop). The Classic Industries R&D team has done a substantial amount of research into these details, so today we're going to share some of it with you. Read on to learn about 1958-64 Impala models and body styles.
1958-1964 Chevy Impala Models and Series Codes
In order to identify Full Size Chevy and Impala models, you'll need to examine the VIN. Refer to our 1958-80 Chevy Impala & Full Size VIN Decoder article for a detailed explanation of this subject.
The Model and Series codes are represented by four digits in the VIN for 1960-64 models, or by a single letter that can be decoded to a number for 1958-59 models. The first and second digits of the number represent Series, as well as the Engine (either 6 cylinder or 8 cylinder). The third and fourth digits represent the Model, as listed below:
11 - 2-Door Sedan
15 - 2-Door Station Wagon (6 Passenger)
19 - 4-Door Sedan
21 - 2-Door Business
31 - 2-Door Hardtop
35 - 4-Door Station Wagon (6 Passenger)
37 - 2-Door Hardtop
39 - 4-Door Sedan
41 - 2-Door Convertible
45 - 4-Door Station Wagon (9 Passenger)
47 - 2-Door Hardtop
49 - 4-Door Sedan
67 - 2-Door Convertible
69 - 4-Door Sedan
70 - 2-Door Sedan Delivery
71 - 2-Door Sedan Delivery
80 - 2-Door Sedan Pickup (El Camino)
91 - 2-Door Station Wagon (6 Passenger)
93 - 4-Door Station Wagon (6 Passenger)
94 - 4-Door Station Wagon (9 Passenger)
As you might expect, not all of these models were available for each series. For example, the 1960 Bel Air was available as a 4-door Station Wagon with seating for 9 passengers (Model code 45), but the 1960 Biscayne and Impala were not offered in this configuration.
The charts below will help you determine which Series and Model combinations were offered for each model year of the 1958-64 Impala and Full Size Chevy. Here's an example: a 1964 Impala SS 2-door Hardtop with V8 engine would be Series/Model code 1447. This number could be checked against the second through fifth digits of its VIN.
1958 Full Size Chevy & Impala Models
Series | 6cyl | 8cyl | 11 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 45 | 47 | 49 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 80 | 91 | 93 | 94 |
Delray | 11 | 12 | ♦ | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||
Biscayne | 15 | 16 | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||||
Bel Air | 17 | 18 | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||
Impala | 17 | 18 | x | x |
♦ = Imported Models
1959 Full Size Chevy & Impala Models
Series | 6cyl | 8cyl | 11 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 45 | 47 | 49 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 80 | 91 | 93 | 94 |
Biscayne | 11 | 12 | x | x | x | ♦ | x | x | ♦ | |||||||||||||
Bel Air | 15 | 16 | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||
Impala | 17 | 18 | x | x | x | x | x |
♦ = Imported Models
1960 Full Size Chevy & Impala Models
Series | 6cyl | 8cyl | 11 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 45 | 47 | 49 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 80 | 91 | 93 | 94 |
Biscayne | 11 | 12 | x | x | x | ♦ | x | x | ♦ | |||||||||||||
(Fleet Cars) | 13 | 14 | x | x | ||||||||||||||||||
Bel Air | 15 | 16 | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||
Impala | 17 | 18 | x | x | x | x | x |
♦ = Imported Models
1961 Full Size Chevy & Impala Models
Series | 6cyl | 8cyl | 11 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 45 | 47 | 49 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 80 | 91 | 93 | 94 |
Biscayne | 11 | 12 | x | ♦ | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||
(Fleet Cars) | 13 | 14 | x | x | ||||||||||||||||||
Bel Air | 15 | 16 | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||
Impala | 17 | 18 | x | x | x | x | ♦ | x | x |
♦ = Imported Models
1962 Full Size Chevy & Impala Models
Series | 6cyl | 8cyl | 11 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 45 | 47 | 49 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 80 | 91 | 93 | 94 |
Biscayne | 11 | 12 | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||||
Bel Air | 15 | 16 | x | x | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||
Impala | 17 | 18 | x | x | ♦ | x | x | x |
♦ = Imported Models
1963 Full Size Chevy & Impala Models
Series | 6cyl | 8cyl | 11 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 45 | 47 | 49 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 80 | 91 | 93 | 94 |
Biscayne | 11 | 12 | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||||
Bel Air | 15 | 16 | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||||
Impala | 17 | 18 | x | x | ♦ | x | x | x |
♦ = Imported Models
1964 Full Size Chevy & Impala Models
Series | 6cyl | 8cyl | 11 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 45 | 47 | 49 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 80 | 91 | 93 | 94 |
Biscayne | 11 | 12 | x | x | x | |||||||||||||||||
(Super Sport) | 13 | 14 | x | x | ||||||||||||||||||
Bel Air | 15 | 16 | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||||||||
Impala | 17 | 18 | x | x | ♦ | x | x | x |
♦ = Imported Models
1958-64 Impala / Full Size Mechanical Specifications
Ten noteworthy engine configurations were available for Impala, Delray, Biscayne, and Bel Air models between 1958 and 1964. The chart below shows some of the key technical and performance specs for Full Size Chevrolet vehicles with each of these engines.
Engine Displacement | Years Applicable | Cylinders | Bore / Stroke | SAE Horse-power | Max Brake Horsepower | Wheelbase (Inches) | Cooling System (Qts.) | Crank Case (Qts.) |
230ci | 1963-64 | 6 | 3.875 x 3.25 | 36.0 | 140hp @ 4,400rpm | 119 | 10 | 4-1/6 |
235ci | 1958-62 | 6 | 3.56 x 3.94 | 30.4 | 135hp @ 4,000rpm | 119* | 15 | 4-1/6 |
283ci (2-bbl) | 1958-64 | 8 | 3.875 x 3.00 | 48.0 | 195hp @ 4,800rpm | 119* | 15.5 | 4-1/6 |
283ci (4-bbl) | 1958-61 | 8 | 3.875 x 3.00 | 48.0 | 220hp @ 4,800rpm | 119* | 15.5 | 4-1/6 |
327ci (250hp) | 1962-64 | 8 | 4.00 x 3.25 | 51.2 | 250hp @ 4,400rpm | 119 | 15.5 | 4-1/6 |
327ci (300hp) | 1962-64 | 8 | 4.00 x 3.25 | 51.2 | 300hp @ 5,000rpm | 119 | 15.5 | 4-1/6 |
348ci | 1958-61 | 8 | 4.125 x 3.25 | 54.5 | 250hp @ 4,400rpm | 119* | 19 | 4-1/6 |
409ci (340hp) | 1964 | 8 | 4.313 x 3.50 | 59.5 | 340hp @ 5,000rpm | 119 | 18.5 | 5 |
409ci (400hp) | 1964 | 8 | 4.313 x 3.50 | 59.5 | 400hp @ 5,800rpm | 119 | 18.5 | 5 |
409ci (425hp) | 1964 | 8 | 4.313 x 3.50 | 59.5 | 425hp @ 6,000rpm | 119 | 18.5 | 5 |
Need Parts for Your Impala / Full Size Chevy?
Classic Industries offers a wide range of restoration and performance parts for 1958-64 Chevy Impala models, as well as other Full Size Chevy vehicles. Whether you've got a practical 1958 Biscayne 4-door sedan with a 6-cylinder or a potent 1964 Impala SS with a 409ci V8, we can help you find the parts to get your vehicle looking and running like brand new again. Click the button below for a free full-color restoration parts catalog.