1958 Chevrolet Delray

"Low budget", "no-frills", "no nonsense", "bone stock", "cheap"...all of these could be used to describe the 1958 Chevrolet Delray. Chevrolet's Delray model debuted in 1954 as an optional trim level on the mid-range 210 series of their full-sized cars. In 1958, the Delray became a series of its own, taking the place of the 150 . The Delray was Chevrolet's price-leading, no-frills model, (the more expensive models being the Biscayne, Bel Air and Impala.) It now had GM's new X-frame. It was available in a utility coupe, a two-door coupe, a four-door sedan and a four-door or two-door station wagon, which was called the "Yeoman".

With its bottom-end status, the Delray had minimal interior and exterior trim and limited options. Because of this, it was popular with fleet buyers like police departments and businesses. But on the other hand, ordinary customers could also buy a Delray if low price, economy and basic full-sized transportation was what you were looking for.

The 1958 Chevrolet Delray was bigger and better, leaning more towards luxury than roadability. Rear fins were not a part of it's styling as with the previous 1957 Chevrolet models.  It sported quad headlights unlike the previous year's single units. It was 9 inches longer and 5 inches lower, on a wheelbase stretched 2.5 inches. And, as one would expect, it was also heavier by 200 to 300 lbs. The Delray sedan featured slim door-pillar styling, and it's new optional Level-Air suspension was patterned after Cadillac's, with a rubber bellows at each wheel. Unfortunately, due to expense and unreliability, it was a short-lived deal.

By far, the coolest thing was that for a few extra bucks, a low-budget Delray could carry the top 348 cubic inch big-block, or even a 283 "Fuelie" V8 mill. (Can you say, "Low-budget Hot Rod?") Usually, styling cycles for GM normally went three years, but unfortunately, the tasteful 1958 body lasted only one season, making the 1958 Chevrolet Delray (as well as the more expensive models of that year), more scarce, more sought ,and pricier to attain today. Helloooo...gorgeous!