Bold might be the best word to describe the 1958 Impala, with its dual headlamps, wide grille, abundant chrome trim, swooping fins, and aircraft-inspired tail lamps. There's absolutely no mistaking it for a bland modern economy car, much less any other vehicle. This single-year design isn't afraid to turn some heads and raise some eyebrows, and it certainly does so, especially in bright red convertible form.

Starting in 1958 after the end of the Tri-Five series, Chevrolet cars received the moniker of Full Size Chevy. As this line continued into the 1970s, dimensions grew and these vehicles began to truly live up to their "Full Size" name. Specifically, the '70 Caprice measured in at 216 inches long, nearly 8 inches more than a long-bed C10 pickup from the same model year. Needless to say, these Full Size cars have an impressive presence on the road.

Ever since its inception, the sleek styling of the Chevrolet Impala has made it a popular choice for cruisers, lowriders, and hot-rodders alike. Super Sport models have been especially popular due to their larger engine displacement choices and muscular performance. A restored Full Size Chevy looks great in virtually any configuration, but we love the sinister look of this black '65 Impala SS, owned by Francisco Ferrer, of Oak Hills, California.

The Chevy Impala is a vehicle we've seen rebuilt in just about every imaginable configuration, ranging from resto-mods packed with modern high-performance parts to intricate custom lowriders made for cruising low and slow. But despite these many eye-catching variations on the platform, the Impala is a vehicle that can still look gorgeous in its original condition or with a few subtle modifications. The 1963 Impala seen here is a wonderful example of what we mean.

The 1955-'57 Chevy Tri Five was a hugely successful line, and to this day remains one of the greatest icons of classic American car culture. But there was a catch for General Motors. As is often the case with this degree of success, consumers' expectations were high and the Tri Five would be a tough act to follow. Knowing this, GM designers and engineers put a lot of work into its successor, the 1958 Full Size Chevy line.

These days, if you want a taste of the windswept convertible experience but don't want a car with a soft top, you can always look for a vehicle with a sunroof. However, it wasn't always so easy. Back in the 1960s, models with an optional sunroof were few and far between, and power-operated ones were even rarer. Chris Howder, of Lakewood, California, wanted a sunroof on his '64 Impala, so he sourced one from a Cadillac and had it retrofitted into the Chevy's roof.

The Chevy Impala has been associated with the lowrider subculture since its inception, and it's easy to see why. With its long, elegant body, abundant chrome trim, powerful V8 engine options, and smooth ride, the Impala was born to cruise and look good doing it. Hydraulics have always been popular in the lowrider scene, but the development of modern air suspension systems provides a smooth-riding alternative to hydros.

In December 1960, Chevrolet announced the introduction of the Impala Super Sport for the 1961 model year. With this new trim level came a potent new 409-cubic-inch V8 engine that would catapult the Impala into a new era of high performance.

1960 was a unique year for the Chevy Impala. That year, it followed the aggressive aircraft-inspired look of the 1959 model but preceded the more subdued 1961 redesign. As a result, its styling falls somewhere in between the two. It retains the prominent "bat wing" rear fins, but pairs them with a sleeker front grille, and replaces the '59 model's large teardrop tail lamps with three conical lamps on each side.

We appreciate all styles of automotive restoration, from high-tech restomod builds to original-style restoration projects. But when it comes to the latter category, we're especially fond of cars that stay true to their original styling and are also daily-driven. Rolling down the highway looking just like they did brand-new, these vehicles are like time capsules on four wheels, and they take us back to a wonderful time in automotive history.