Having built and restored classics for 35yrs, that's a car there's no amount of money you could pay me to restore it. as long as there's not any rust problems ... leave it alone
Just leave it as is! The car is perfect! Congratulations on owning this beautiful piece of Movie history. American Graffiti has and will always be my favorite movie and I’m not even a movie person
Love that ‘58! I had the privilege of meeting Candy Clarke in person at a rod & custom show in Portland Oregon. Got a really nice warm hug from her. She was ‘62 at the time and still looked great!
I love American Graffiti, Grew up in the '70's it was the tail end of the days of hot rods, drive ins And an actual life style. In which i grew up , and lived. ALL Fond memories, and still an old car enthusiast and caretaker/ owner today. This Impala is an important piece of our history and our culture. I am so glad that you are preserving it for generations to follow. You are so very fortunate to own it, And more importantly understand it's true value to many of us car folks out here. My favorite was the Milner coupe, but there are so many replicas today that it has blinded it's importance to some who do not understand not only the importance of the movie, but to our past. But this 1958 Impala is truly one of a kind. So glad you are it's care taker and wish you many happy years with it. Looking forward to seeing this beauty for many years to come. :)
I did the same thing , grew up in the 70’s in Modesto, my mom was a junior, and George Lucas was a senior! I ended up going to same high school they did.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,There's a guy out here in north eastern pennsylvania that has a clone....The one thing his car lacked was it did not have the slight rake in the suspension....That rake made the car supercool.....ATTITUDE.........ready to race......His car had amazing paint work....
"All 3"? You muat mean the top three everyone has on their mind. Milner's 1932 5-window coupe Falfa's 1955 Chevy Steve's '58 Impala Dude, there were so many more cars in that movie. The Pharaoh's 1951 Mercury Laurie's 1958 Edsel Corsair Suzanne Somer's '56 T-Bird Curt's 1967 Citroen And the countless extras' cars on the strip and at Mel's Diner. I had the pleasure of visiting Mel's Diner. It was a cool feeling to actually eat their.
@@RalphSampson... Have you any pics of Mel's diner also was this the original diner or the Hollywood prop at a theme park if yes it's not the same as was in the movie
I live in Petaluma and have for decades and not a day goes by that I don't see the ghosts of American Graffiti here in town. Reminders are everywhere you look, and it's a nice feeling.
Best time of my life to grow up in. I'm a child from the late fifties. My hay day was the late sixties early seventies. Best music, BEST cars and life was freaking awesome 👍😎. I'm always impressed when someone rescues a piece of amercana and shows it to the world. Me, I would just try a buff and cut.... maybe a few resprays and call it a day. Refresh the motor, brakes and cooling system and drive it and show it. But as a collector, I understand that you want to do this. Best of luck!
The late 60s to early 70s were the best of times! Muscle car heaven great rock bands & music, great looking women (when women were real women), no political correctness, no Woke crap, & no social media! The Best of Times - Take Me Back!!!!
Candy Clark, Cindy Williams and Mackenzie Phillips had an autograph session at the Iola Car Show in Wisconsin last July. All 3 were available for autographs and photographs. A local guy with a real steel body 32 Ford 5 window Graffiti coupe had Mackenzie sign the dash right next to Paul La Mate's autograph. Too cool.
And I was a 12 year old girl who had a sister that worked at a theatre that showed American Graffiti..I fell in love with this car also. I know I watched that movie at least 15 times that summer. It warms my heart knowing that someone who loves it as much as I do, has it. I'm sure your intentions are to preserve her as best as possible and to keep her originality as close as possible. That's So Awesome!!! 😀💝
SAME year of my birth 😬...But, I gotta tell EVERYONE that, when they ask my birth date/age etc,😏 "Yep...SAME year American Graffiti was released and the same actual year that WAS unfortunately, the true DEATH of the American Muscle Car."..Sadly 😔
This car inspired my red and white interior in my 1964 el Camino. The show and Don Tognottis king T inspired me to build my 1923 roadster. You really have a piece of American history, congratulations.
An iconic Movie and Car that has ended up in the right hands. It needs and deserves to be kept as close as possible to the way it was in the film. Strange to think that at the time of the filming the car was only 15 years or so old from off of the factory build line!
It's good to know that the original car by Ron Howard in American Graffitti still original as the movie. I'm just curious why the plate is from 56' and not 62'.
George gave us young viewers a glimpse of what it was like in America back in '62. I was only 8 when American graffiti was released and saw it 1st in '78 on the re re release it blew me away the cars and the music are the real hero's included were a few good characters.
Always thought that was the coolest car in the movie. After seeing this, I realize it's an old video, but I decided to watch the movie again. The car, the movie, the characters. All fantastic and so much fun!.
Im in Washington state and I remember seeing that car around. I had heard the same guy bought the '32 coupe also, but for some reason I dont remember seeing it around when I was a kid.
I would like to know the pre history before American Graffiti ! Like did Lucius Film's build the car or was it purchased this way ? Who built it ? Was it someone's pride and joy ? Maybe talk to the original owner !
I believe Kent Folensbee of ALC machine suggested the paint scheme from one he saw in a magazine...I know he did some work on the 55 and always said he could under the car and know if it was the real deal....Bobby Johnson of Johnny Franklin Mufflers may have built the headers for the 32. I grew up in Sonoma County up until last year. I'm waiting for my 56 150 Chevy utility sedan to arrive from Petaluma...I moved out of state. It was used in "Peggy Sue Got Married" filmed at my high school.
I'm one of the crowd, that says, "It's only original once." But, like Ray was pointing out, neglect has taken its toll. I'm sure it's not just the cosmetics, that need attention, but the mechanics, electrical, fuel, and brake plumbing, as well. This goes beyond the "preservation", state...... beyond the touching up of the paint.
That's what my dad told me ,regarding the car I got from him almost 20yrs ago now. It's no old hot rod or anything you'd like at all, but I got it because he was offered 500$ on trade in ,so I gave him 500$. He keeps his cars nice ,and I'm doing the best I can at preserving it. I'm nutty about chalk marks as much as any resto guy. Glad I never did stupid things and modified it.
I like you had my heart stolen by the 58 you are now so fortunate to own, Bring it back to its former glory as it appeared in the iconic move movie American Graffiti,,,,, Best looking car love it,,,cheers.
i'd leave it alone there only original once if you restore it then its history is gone the patina on it gives it character and most times when a car is restored its fitted with lots of reproduction spares making it non original
CC Jensen Ahh Santa Rosa! I remember the area from being out there in the mid 1980’s. Also met a young lady from Heldsburg when we picked up a load of older muscle/classic cars & took them east to the Boston area to be sold. Great times & memories from being out there. Good Day to You!
Just saw AG yesterday as part of the 50th anniversary showing, and I wouldn't do a thing to that car. It still looks great and you have the original Mojo of the movie in that paint.
Is the interior leather? I would have guessed Naugahyde. I also would have guessed a 348 or a 283 engine. The 327 came out in 1962. An advertising slogan for the movie was "Where were you in 62?"
I met a guy who was selling the axe that President George Washington chopped down his father's cherry tree with. It was getting old and fell into disrepair over the years. He said the other owners had changed the handle 3 times and the axe head twice. I LOVE HOT ROD RESTORATIONS. BUT THIS ONE SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE. THEY DIDN'T MESS WITH THE BULLITT MUSTANG.
Beautiful 58 Impala. Why did the cut out the rear package shelf and put in a flat piece of flat metal ? I noticed that in the movie. Owned a 58 before they were cool.
,,,,,,,Great presentation......you gotta make another video , so the thousands of us can see the engine ....Few people have seen the original engine,,,and fewer know what it was......
There's no way you can find who originally painted the car and did the striping? Surely if there's a will, there's a way. If you can't find the original painter and striper to find out how they did the work - PLEASE - just find a means to preserve it as it is.
I had made arrangements to go to Colville WA, years ago to do a photo shoot with the car. Unfortunately I never made it and the gentleman sold it before I could make the trip. I kick myself all the time for not getting it done.
I saw this car at the Axalta tent in Bowling Green, Ky they over restored it. Wasn't any dents in the rear bumper when Toad backed up into the other car.
Great car, everyone in my high school So. Calif. 1967 had either a 55-56-or-57 Chevy! Loved the scene where "Toad" asked Ford what he had in his car, and Ford said "more than you can handle"....not a harrison fan (draft dodger) but this film is classic so. california in that era.
I agree with the majority of comments saying to leave it as is... The minute you "restore" something, you're risking replacing it with government-regulated water-based paint, inferior Chinese-quality parts, etc. Trust me, I've seen people "think" they need all new quarter panels and once they put on the aftermarket one, you see that panel flap in the breeze due to it being a thinner gauge than the original. Only restore what you absolutely HAVE to, but for a car this important, I think I would leave it alone and save the money. Plus, if you DO happen to sell it, it will go for more in the long-run if you DON'T "restore" it. Win-win, right? Spend no money and get more for it if you sell. But... If you absolutely got to have something that represents the car as it was in American Graffiti, you get another one and make a clone... Most movie cars aren't in any decent shape anyway... Anyway, I hope you kindly consider my advice.
You were meant to own that car . Its crazy how those things work out sometimes. I'm a painter or was and those stripes elude me & I know a little about custom paint. It had to have a Hurst shifter in it? I do not remember.
You guy's probably know this but the 1967 mustang used in the movie "BULLIT" with actor "Steve McQueen" sold at MECCA" autions for $3,450,000.00 , and it was in original condition since late 1960's when they made the movie. "Antique Road Show" normally say's some things are worth more unrestored !😎
Scuff it up a bit to smooth the paint then clear coat the paint. Bulid the 327 and stromberg's. Old school 4- speed. Then tour the country with the 32 Ford coupe and the 55. Have Ronnie Howard,Paul La Mat and Harrison Ford and the cast that still alive travel . Make a big deal out of it. People love that movie. Get on with it the cast isn't getting any younger! SHAWN
You can still buy lacquer base in Ida. .. but it's getting hard to find the guns to shoot it or some place to spray for you. Dad and I had a shop until I lost dad to cancer ..no not from paint ... but didn't have the filter system needed for lacquer paint .. that's all they sprayed back in his younger days) it cost us a chunk to have a 63 Bonneville convertible done in white lacquer. Numbers match, white on white 421 with factory 6 pack ..only thing we did change was putting a 700r trans in.
It should have not have had a 327 with 6 Strombergs, not a realistic power plant for '62, that engine just became available that year -- esp. on the street. A better one would have been the 348 w/ 3x2 setup, maybe with a hotter cam.
I actually saw this car at a lot in South Florida. In Hallandale. It was a 24/7 365 shop. They had this car. And, cars from Indiana Jones cars. This was in 1981. So, I'm not sure the truth about its journey. And the lot was called The Candy Man. It was a 24/7 365 restoration company...
I agree. I don't think it's going to lose its value as long as its restored to the way it was in the movie. Now if it was restored to the way it came off the assembly line, that would kill it.
there were several replica's of this car, the one Ray has is the real car. I know the people in Washington who owned it. It is well documented, even has Harrison Ford cheek prints on the hood.
That's call " shaving the handles" remove the putter handles and patch the holes... it may also have electronic openers that pop the doors open .. haven't seen them used in videos on the car so couldn't say for sure but most of the time that's what's done when you shave the handles.
I'm a huge fan of the 1958 Chevy that's a 2door hardtop with 3 tail lights on each side but as the years rolled by the style just took a flop with me and their's only certain 1s I like now cause people has messed so many of em up trying to make em look better when most of em looked just fine with old school mag wheels and tires with hidden dual exhaust..I can't stand seeing the exhaust stickn 6 or 8 inches out the back of em lol..I've always been into the stock look with alot of pep..I like this 58 Chevy and it's not because it's a movie car, I like how it looks..
The car is perfect!! Leave it as it is.
Just like the Bullitt 'Stang.
Having built and restored classics for 35yrs, that's a car there's no amount of money you could pay me to restore it. as long as there's not any rust problems ... leave it alone
Yep..the guy is not ontoit if he even thinks of re painting..he should stick to his day job?
The best thing to say this car is only original one time
same..leave it..only original once!
Just leave it as is! The car is perfect! Congratulations on owning this beautiful piece of Movie history. American Graffiti has and will always be my favorite movie and I’m not even a movie person
THATS WHAT I SAY LEAVE IT ..CLEAR COAT IT FIX SOME THINGS BUT LEAVE THE ORIGINAL PAINT ,,,,,
There is a classic simplicity to the vehicle that's compelling.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,amen.........future generation,,,lol.....they will scrap it for money......
Love that ‘58! I had the privilege of meeting Candy Clarke in person at a rod & custom show in Portland Oregon. Got a really nice warm hug from her. She was ‘62 at the time and still looked great!
I’d have left it as found. They are only that way once. Nice car and thanks for sharing.
I love American Graffiti, Grew up in the '70's it was the tail end of the days of hot rods, drive ins
And an actual life style. In which i grew up , and lived.
ALL Fond memories, and still an old car enthusiast and caretaker/ owner today.
This Impala is an important piece of our history and our culture. I am so glad that you are preserving it for generations to follow. You are so very fortunate to own it, And more importantly understand it's true value to many of us car folks out here. My favorite was the Milner coupe, but there are so many replicas today that it has blinded it's importance to some
who do not understand not only the importance of the movie, but to our past.
But this 1958 Impala is truly one of a kind. So glad you are it's care taker and wish you many happy years with it. Looking forward to seeing this beauty for many years to come. :)
I did the same thing , grew up in the 70’s in Modesto, my mom was a junior, and George Lucas was a senior! I ended up going to same high school they did.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,There's a guy out here in north eastern pennsylvania that has a clone....The one thing his car lacked was it did not have the slight rake in the suspension....That rake made the car supercool.....ATTITUDE.........ready to race......His car had amazing paint work....
All 3 Graffiti cars are iconic today. The 58 was stunning in the movie.
"All 3"? You muat mean the top three everyone has on their mind.
Milner's 1932 5-window coupe
Falfa's 1955 Chevy
Steve's '58 Impala
Dude, there were so many more cars in that movie.
The Pharaoh's 1951 Mercury
Laurie's 1958 Edsel Corsair
Suzanne Somer's '56 T-Bird
Curt's 1967 Citroen
And the countless extras' cars on the strip and at Mel's Diner. I had the pleasure of visiting Mel's Diner. It was a cool feeling to actually eat their.
I say leave it as it was in the movie you will ruin it and take away it's originality.... As long as it runs and drives leave well alone 👍😁
@@RalphSampson... Have you any pics of Mel's diner also was this the original diner or the Hollywood prop at a theme park if yes it's not the same as was in the movie
Don’t mess with it! It belongs in the Smithsonian Museum for all to enjoy.
I live in Petaluma and have for decades and not a day goes by that I don't see the ghosts of American Graffiti here in town. Reminders are everywhere you look, and it's a nice feeling.
Best time of my life to grow up in. I'm a child from the late fifties. My hay day was the late sixties early seventies. Best music, BEST cars and life was freaking awesome 👍😎. I'm always impressed when someone rescues a piece of amercana and shows it to the world. Me, I would just try a buff and cut.... maybe a few resprays and call it a day. Refresh the motor, brakes and cooling system and drive it and show it. But as a collector, I understand that you want to do this. Best of luck!
The late 60s to early 70s were the best of times! Muscle car heaven great rock bands & music, great looking women (when women were real women), no political correctness, no Woke crap, & no social media! The Best of Times - Take Me Back!!!!
DUDE! everything you're saying says, keep it the same! It looks beautiful.
Candy Clark, Cindy Williams and Mackenzie Phillips had an autograph session at the Iola Car Show in Wisconsin last July. All 3 were available for autographs and photographs. A local guy with a real steel body 32 Ford 5 window Graffiti coupe had Mackenzie sign the dash right next to Paul La Mate's autograph. Too cool.
Great story. I had the same dilemma, owned the '73 El Camino from My Name is Earl for 6 years. Didn't touch it.
Just leave it alone. It is what it is. What is it with some people ?
it means if its fiddled with its not original
This Conservative Republican appreciates original paint. Clean it up, don't respray it
Nothing at all wrong with a little patina. Its perfect right now.
I agree. Leave it alone. It has it's age, and that is just fine. Keep wax on it, that's all. It's probably lacquer, alkyd or maybe acrylic enamel.
50th Anniversary this August 2023...you know I love the feel of tuck n roll upholstery
Leave it alone please.
And I was a 12 year old girl who had a sister that worked at a theatre that showed American Graffiti..I fell in love with this car also. I know I watched that movie at least 15 times that summer. It warms my heart knowing that someone who loves it as much as I do, has it. I'm sure your intentions are to preserve her as best as possible and to keep her originality as close as possible. That's So Awesome!!! 😀💝
Forever an iconic Film with an Excellent Cast. Great to see the vehicles preserved. Nice to see it again as American Graffiti was made in 1973.
SAME year of my birth 😬...But, I gotta tell EVERYONE that, when they ask my birth date/age etc,😏 "Yep...SAME year American Graffiti was released and the same actual year that WAS unfortunately, the true DEATH of the American Muscle Car."..Sadly 😔
I was born in 1956, and I love the '56 Chevy BelAir best. But I really like the '58 too. Is it an Impala?
my buddy in high school had a '58, I think it was an Impala, but could have been a Bel Air, but that was 56 years ago!
This car inspired my red and white interior in my 1964 el Camino. The show and Don Tognottis king T inspired me to build my 1923 roadster. You really have a piece of American history, congratulations.
I went to the theater 7 times to see A.G. There was cruising every friday and saturday night in my home city back then. That was my social life.
I love this car soo much.
It's a movie star to me.
Hell, in the '80's I traded my motor cycle to have a '58 .
Mine was a Bel Air.
An iconic Movie and Car that has ended up in the right hands. It needs and deserves to be kept as close as possible to the way it was in the film. Strange to think that at the time of the filming the car was only 15 years or so old from off of the factory build line!
It's good to know that the original car by Ron Howard in American Graffitti still original as the movie. I'm just curious why the plate is from 56' and not 62'.
George gave us young viewers a glimpse of what it was like in America back in '62. I was only 8 when American graffiti was released and saw it 1st in '78 on the re re release it blew me away the cars and the music are the real hero's included were a few good characters.
Always thought that was the coolest car in the movie. After seeing this, I realize it's an old video, but I decided to watch the movie again. The car, the movie, the characters. All fantastic and so much fun!.
I know the 58 isn’t everybody’s favorite but I love that body style and to have that one from American Graffiti is just awesome…👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Of all the cars that is my favorite as well. Thank you for preserving it.
Im in Washington state and I remember seeing that car around. I had heard the same guy bought the '32 coupe also, but for some reason I dont remember seeing it around when I was a kid.
i dont think the 327 came out until 1962 but i have some 348s laying around still
I wanna swear American graffiti took place in 62 or 63.
I would like to know the pre history before American Graffiti ! Like did Lucius Film's build the car or was it purchased this way ? Who built it ? Was it someone's pride and joy ? Maybe talk to the original owner !
It was built by Henry Travers and Richard Ruth specifically for the movie.
I believe Kent Folensbee of ALC machine suggested the paint scheme from one he saw in a magazine...I know he did some work on the 55 and always said he could under the car and know if it was the real deal....Bobby Johnson
of Johnny Franklin Mufflers may have built the headers for the 32.
I grew up in Sonoma County up until last year.
I'm waiting for my 56 150 Chevy utility sedan to arrive from Petaluma...I moved out of state.
It was used in "Peggy Sue Got Married" filmed at my high school.
I'm one of the crowd, that says, "It's only original once." But, like Ray was pointing out, neglect has taken its toll. I'm sure it's not just the cosmetics, that need attention, but the mechanics, electrical, fuel, and brake plumbing, as well. This goes beyond the "preservation", state...... beyond the touching up of the paint.
That's what my dad told me ,regarding the car I got from him almost 20yrs ago now.
It's no old hot rod or anything you'd like at all, but I got it because he was offered 500$ on trade in ,so I gave him 500$.
He keeps his cars nice ,and I'm doing the best I can at preserving it. I'm nutty about chalk marks as much as any resto guy.
Glad I never did stupid things and modified it.
This was my favorite car from the movie,,, would love one like it
I wish that he would've popped the hood!! I wanted to see if it was the 327 with 6 strombergs, or the stock 348!!
I like you had my heart stolen by the 58 you are now so fortunate to own, Bring it back to its former glory as it appeared in the iconic move movie American Graffiti,,,,, Best looking car love it,,,cheers.
i'd leave it alone there only original once
if you restore it then its history is gone
the patina on it gives it character
and most times when a car is restored its fitted with lots of reproduction spares making it non original
Why would you mess with it??? Good lord!!!
I may be wrong....I was told years ago the car was painted in Marin County. I lived in Santa Rosa from 1953 on.
CC Jensen Ahh Santa Rosa! I remember the area from being out there in the mid 1980’s. Also met a young lady from Heldsburg when we picked up a load of older muscle/classic cars & took them east to the Boston area to be sold. Great times & memories from being out there. Good Day to You!
The car was sold in 74 or 75 to a guy in Washington.originally was given away at the premiere in Canada.i think it sold for around 2500.
Thanks for preserving this Icon of a car. Bolander would be happy.
Glad to see this car gets the love it deserves!❤
Saw this movie in Basic training at Ft. Ord. in 72 or early 73 before the release...double time march 6 miles to see it. Great memory...
The movie and this car established the '58 as one of my all time favorite cars...
That car is awesome, my favorite car from the movie, what a machine.
Thank you for taking care of a part of our lives
I'm so happy for you. Keep it the same buddy.
Just saw AG yesterday as part of the 50th anniversary showing, and I wouldn't do a thing to that car. It still looks great and you have the original Mojo of the movie in that paint.
Thank God for people like you it's a American legend
Is the interior leather? I would have guessed Naugahyde. I also would have guessed a 348 or a 283 engine. The 327 came out in 1962. An advertising slogan for the movie was "Where were you in 62?"
No John Milners car is the ultimate hot rod.
Joe dirt
@paul austin Know what other movie the 55 was used in?
@@SuperDavidmills two lane blacktop
AGREED! Love Millner's 32 Ford, it is the tops!
@@SuperDavidmills two lane black top
How come there is another guy I justed watched claims he has the original 58 from the film?? His name is Mike Famalett
He is the guy who bought the car from Lucas Films and then sold the car to this guy.
I met a guy who was selling the axe that President George Washington chopped down his father's cherry tree with. It was getting old and fell into disrepair over the years. He said the other owners had changed the handle 3 times and the axe head twice. I LOVE HOT ROD RESTORATIONS. BUT THIS ONE SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE. THEY DIDN'T MESS WITH THE BULLITT MUSTANG.
Beautiful 58 Impala. Why did the cut out the rear package shelf and put in a flat piece of flat metal ? I noticed that in the movie. Owned a 58 before they were cool.
,,,,,,,Great presentation......you gotta make another video , so the thousands of us can see the engine ....Few people have seen the original engine,,,and fewer know what it was......
Happy New Years and a Thumbs Up for you.
Love it , and I agree what a cool 58!
Ha ha!... I Loved the Movie and can Appreciate the Car as well. Pretty Cool. Thanks for Sharing
Looks good to me.why do a restoration ? Is that Imron paint? Is so let it alone. 🤔👍
There's no way you can find who originally painted the car and did the striping? Surely if there's a will, there's a way. If you can't find the original painter and striper to find out how they did the work - PLEASE - just find a means to preserve it as it is.
Richard Ruth and Henry Travers built the car for the movie
I had made arrangements to go to Colville WA, years ago to do a photo shoot with the car. Unfortunately I never made it and the gentleman sold it before I could make the trip. I kick myself all the time for not getting it done.
I saw this car at the Axalta tent in Bowling Green, Ky they over restored it. Wasn't any dents in the rear bumper when Toad backed up into the other car.
As these guys do, they will screw it up. LEAVE IT ALONE!
The 58 impala is the ultimate bad ass rod alive
Great Movie great car. Glad to see the car again.
Great car, everyone in my high school So. Calif. 1967 had either a 55-56-or-57 Chevy! Loved the scene where "Toad" asked Ford what he had in his car, and Ford said "more than you can handle"....not a harrison fan (draft dodger) but this film is classic so. california in that era.
Thank you for saving her
I agree with the majority of comments saying to leave it as is... The minute you "restore" something, you're risking replacing it with government-regulated water-based paint, inferior Chinese-quality parts, etc. Trust me, I've seen people "think" they need all new quarter panels and once they put on the aftermarket one, you see that panel flap in the breeze due to it being a thinner gauge than the original. Only restore what you absolutely HAVE to, but for a car this important, I think I would leave it alone and save the money. Plus, if you DO happen to sell it, it will go for more in the long-run if you DON'T "restore" it. Win-win, right? Spend no money and get more for it if you sell. But... If you absolutely got to have something that represents the car as it was in American Graffiti, you get another one and make a clone... Most movie cars aren't in any decent shape anyway... Anyway, I hope you kindly consider my advice.
The 327 did come out in 62, the year the movie is set in, but I was hoping for a 348 with tri power....
As iconic as the 55-57 Chevy's are, the 58s are just as sweet
Nitrocellulose lacquer is readily available in places other than the USA.
I love the little 55 that they used in American graffiti and two lane blacktop but this car is cool to
Paul La Matt signed my 57 and Candy was there also, I didn't want to pay the 5 bucks she wanted to have her sign it at the time. I wish i did.
You were meant to own that car . Its crazy how those things work out sometimes. I'm a painter or was and those stripes elude me & I know a little about custom paint. It had to have a Hurst shifter in it? I do not remember.
If I owned that , you would had to really really wanted it. Especially since you wanted it !
We had a 58 chevy wagon that had the perfect suspension to induce projctile vomiting.
That was my favorite car in the movie. Toads Imp.
Iconic movie and Iconic car along with the other two.
The GREATEST movie of all time!!!!
You guy's probably know this but the 1967 mustang used in the movie "BULLIT" with actor "Steve McQueen"
sold at MECCA" autions for $3,450,000.00 ,
and it was in original condition since late 1960's when they made the movie.
"Antique Road Show" normally say's some things are worth more unrestored !😎
I didn’t know that those taillights were used on any other car but the 1959 Cadillac.
That was THE coolest car in the whole movie.
That is my dream car i loved that movie.
Scuff it up a bit to smooth the paint then clear coat the paint. Bulid the 327 and stromberg's. Old school 4- speed. Then tour the country with the 32 Ford coupe and the 55. Have Ronnie Howard,Paul La Mat and Harrison Ford and the cast that still alive travel . Make a big deal out of it. People love that movie. Get on with it the cast isn't getting any younger! SHAWN
Let it be.
That paint *is* legal in Mexico, 3 miles from the EPA border...
You can still buy lacquer base in Ida. .. but it's getting hard to find the guns to shoot it or some place to spray for you.
Dad and I had a shop until I lost dad to cancer ..no not from paint ... but didn't have the filter system needed for lacquer paint .. that's all they sprayed back in his younger days) it cost us a chunk
to have a 63 Bonneville convertible done in white lacquer. Numbers match, white on white 421 with factory 6 pack ..only thing we did change was putting a 700r trans in.
It should have not have had a 327 with 6 Strombergs, not a realistic power plant for '62, that engine just became available that year -- esp. on the street. A better one would have been the 348 w/ 3x2 setup, maybe with a hotter cam.
When the movie was made the engine was a 348 4bbl and a three speed trany with a Fox craft shifter
That is one of my favorites lucky you
All those A.G cars are worth BIG MONEY!
1958 did not come in at 3:27 unless a 327 was installed but other Nat 327 was put in the car is a 1962
Yeah no need to mess with it . It can't get any better looking than it already is
I actually saw this car at a lot in South Florida. In Hallandale.
It was a 24/7 365 shop. They had this car. And, cars from Indiana Jones cars. This was in 1981. So, I'm not sure the truth about its journey. And the lot was called The Candy Man. It was a 24/7 365 restoration company...
I seen american graffiti 13 times and American graffiti 2 i seen twice
All you guys saying "leave it alone" aren't seeing it up close, im sure it looks its age and new paint will help to preserve it
I agree. I don't think it's going to lose its value as long as its restored to the way it was in the movie. Now if it was restored to the way it came off the assembly line, that would kill it.
Noway that's like finger painting over a piacasso
The real 58 chev was given away in calgary ab canada at the movies premiere.and was sold.
ummm...no.
there were several replica's of this car, the one Ray has is the real car. I know the people in Washington who owned it. It is well documented, even has Harrison Ford cheek prints on the hood.
Question. Were the door handles removed? Looks like you can only open from the inside.
That's call " shaving the handles" remove the putter handles and patch the holes... it may also have electronic openers that pop the doors open .. haven't seen them used in videos on the car so couldn't say for sure but most of the time that's what's done when you shave the handles.
I Love The 58 !
I'm a huge fan of the 1958 Chevy that's a 2door hardtop with 3 tail lights on each side but as the years rolled by the style just took a flop with me and their's only certain 1s I like now cause people has messed so many of em up trying to make em look better when most of em looked just fine with old school mag wheels and tires with hidden dual exhaust..I can't stand seeing the exhaust stickn 6 or 8 inches out the back of em lol..I've always been into the stock look with alot of pep..I like this 58 Chevy and it's not because it's a movie car, I like how it looks..