'58 three duece air cleaner for 58 Impalla.

Pantera · #1 03-29-2005, 07:28 PM

His car has just about every option that you can find for that year. he recentely found a NOS smokeless ashtray. Heck I don't even know what that is and I grew up around those cars back then.

I do appreciate your advice. I will check with him about the air cond. and look for the correct one. I remember he bought one last year at a swap meet so i bet he needs the air verison instead of the one he bought.

Pantera

Belair62 · #2 03-29-2005, 07:44 PM

It was a little vacuum port that drew smoke out via engine vacuum to a weird jar under the hood to collect errant ash !!!

**Xplantdad** · #3 03-29-2005, 07:53 PM

Bob,

You're kidding, right?

I've never heard of that!

Amazing.

Belair62 · #4 03-29-2005, 07:58 PM

It was actually a little vacuum to take ashes away as well as some smoke...mostly ashes though...I forgot what the hell they call it...Verne ????

Verne_Frantz · #5 03-29-2005, 09:18 PM

Yep,
It's called the vacuum ash tray. It has a hose with about a 1/2" id through the dash into a cannister mounted on the fender well. There's a fitting and hose from the engine to the cannister. There's some sort of "doohickey" in the ash tray to open the vacuum, then WHOOOSH, goes the ashes........AND butts, lit or not!
Now, who wouldn't LOVE to have a smoldering can of butts under their hood.....

No offense to Pantera's buddy, but most '58s get restored with ALL the gee-gaws. They look like they drove through JC Whitney with a magnet.

Verne

**Mr70** · #6 03-29-2005, 09:26 PM

Bet Ron Popeil drove a 58 Impala.

budnate · #7 03-29-2005, 09:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
They look like they drove through JC Whitney with a magnet.

[/ QUOTE ]

LMAOOOOOOO..thnx Vern I need a good laugh this morning....a true classic there...phew..

Pantera · #8 03-30-2005, 03:03 AM

Vern,

You are so right about the extra options showing up on all the 57 - 60 model cars. I will have to say that this is really one nice restoration. It is kinda a Baby blue inside and out. I am anxious to see it finished.

Any Idea what this car would be worth? 348 ci 3x2's 3 speed (GR retard) auto. Power top.

Pantera

**Charley Lillard** · #9 03-30-2005, 03:22 AM

I think I have a couple air cleaner elements for those 3x2 setups......

Verne_Frantz · #10 03-30-2005, 05:39 PM

Pantera,
I'd agree that the '57-'60 models seem to attract a LOT of extra options and dealer accessories. I think '58 is the high water mark ('59 a close second). You mentioned 3-speed, but then said GR (grade retarder). That would make it the Turboglide trans, which "technically" does not shift at all. It works like that TurbineDrive trans in a '63 Riv. Never really shifts, just changes torque converter pitch (or perhaps it's done with internal cones..?). The "GR" gear is a gear that's not in use when starting out normally. It can be selected intentionally for compression braking or driving in the snow. Many of those transmissions have blown up from guys holding them in GR for fast acceleration, then throwing it into Drive. The trans doesn't like that much....

As far as value, I'm having a hard time keeping up with some of the craziness that's happening recently, but for a #1 well done car, especially a convt., I'd guess about $85K, but then, things could go over the top!

By the way, air cleaner elements are the same for early Pontiac 3x2, early Buick 2X4, '58-'61 348 3X2, and '62-'64 409 2X4. I "think" the 3x2 air cleaner base is being repopped, but not for the A/C car. And no '58-only starburst lid is being done. It might be a tough hunt.

Cheers

Verne

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