Vehicle Description
Nobody can say that General Motors wasn't hitting on all eight
cylinders in the 1950s. One brilliant design after another flowed
out of their design studios, and few are more timeless and widely
recognized than the 1958 Chevrolet Corvette. With quad headlights,
the contrasting side cove, and exquisite detailing throughout,
these were more than just America's sports car, they were artwork.
This particular '58 features a long and storied heritage under the
tutelage of the same owner since 1977, and features an older,
documented frame-off restoration with only 382 miles clocked on the
car since the build. A beautiful piece of GM history restored for
the modern world without losing any of its former glory, C1s don't
get much more special than this.
Signet Red was actually quite a popular color in 1958, although
white was still by far the most popular. Given the condition of the
finish, it's hard to believe this car was painted way back in 1983
when the vehicle was frame-off restored. The reason being, only a
scant 382 miles have been logged on the car since it left the
restoration shop almost 40 years ago. That's about as unique of a
history as you'll find, as this C1 manages to occupy space in both
the 'restored' and 'barn find' section of the collector car world
all at once. It's obvious the same owner since '77 has taken
exceptional care of this 'Vette, and although there are some signs
of age in the finish that can be seen upon closer examination, the
curb appeal is still top-driver quality, arguably a notch higher
when you consider the age of the build. Fit and finish are
excellent throughout, with tight door gaps and smooth panels that
don't display the typical Corvette flaws and imperfections and
those white side coves really pop out from the Signet Red body. And
while some may feel that the details on the 1958 models are
excessive, including hood louvers and trunk trim that were
exclusive to this year, it's also what makes these cars unique and
therefore desirable. Of course, there are others who feel that
there's no way to make an early Corvette look bad, and all the
restored trim is just part of the wonderful decade of the 1950s.
Either way, this is a car that will be the center of attention
anywhere it goes.
The Tuxedo Black interior also enjoyed a very thorough makeover
when the car was rebuilt, restored back-to-stock to a very high
level to match the exterior. Few will argue against a red-on-black
Corvette, and the look is as timeless as the Corvette itself.
There's not a lot of bolstering to the buckets, but fortunately
they're in great shape and thanks to the use of high-end and
correct materials, will wear like iron through the years. Those
were new carpets in 1983 and despite some very slight fading
they're in great shape too, the matching door panels give the
interior a highly polished look, while the instruments, which were
freshly redesigned in 1958, are in crystal clear shape with that
factory tachometer in the center. The steering wheel looks original
too, and you guessed it, it's in excellent shape, matching the look
and feel of the cue-ball topped short shifter that manages the Borg
Warner 4-speed manual transmission below. The swooping dash in
crack-free and without a stress mark to speak of, and it still
houses the original heater and Wonderbar AM radio. Although it's
likely never seen rain, this C1 comes equipped with an original,
color-matched hardtop to protect it from the elements.
The biggest engine available in 1958 was a 283, but this one sports
a vintage 327/250 HP block from the early '60s, fully rebuilt with
correct double hump heads, a mild cam, and a high-capacity oil
pimp. Dressed to appear original, it includes an iconic chrome air
cleaner, cast aluminum and finned valve covers with proper
'Corvette' script, a chrome ignition shield, and ram's horn exhaust
manifolds. The engine runs beautifully thanks to a recent
full-tune-up of the dual carburetors, new wiring harness, and
pretty much everything else that was needed to get it road-worthy,
and there's a low, mild hum from the twin tailpipes that's just a
touch more throaty than the original. Pulling through the gears of
the rebuilt Borg Warner T-10 4-speed manual gearbox feels as smooth
as it did in 1958, with a slick linkage and great spring return
from the clutch. The underside is finished to drive or show, with a
freshened components and satin black paint throughout, but nothing
out of order so you can hit the road without worries. 205/75/15
Coker whitewall radials on steel wheels with original Corvette
wheel covers add just the right amount of '50s flash, finishing off
the stock look perfectly.
Early Corvettes have been highly sought since there were little
more than used cars, and it's easy to see why. These days, finding
a dialed-in, fully restored C1 beauty is a lot harder than it
sounds, especially one loaded with restoration photos, build
records, and maintenance receipts. No way this 'Lil Red Corvette
lasts long. Call today!
