Finished in Signet Red over a Black vinyl interior, this 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible represents a meticulously restored and exceptionally well-documented example of Chevrolet's first-generation sports car. Combining an extensive history file, a date-correct drivetrain, and careful attention to factory specifications, the car reflects decades of knowledgeable ownership and preservation.
Accompanied by a comprehensive archive of service, maintenance, restoration, and parts receipts dating continuously from 1992 to the present, this Corvette offers an unusually complete record of its history. The documentation chronicles more than three decades of mechanical upkeep, restoration work, and continued stewardship, providing a clear timeline of the car's preservation and care.
Power is supplied by a date-correct 283 cubic-inch V8 rated at 230 horsepower and equipped with the correct "CQ" suffix designation identifying the factory 230-horsepower, single four-barrel, manual-transmission application. Chevrolet did not stamp partial VINs on Corvette engine blocks during the 1958 model year, making production chronology, casting dates, and suffix codes the accepted standards for establishing authenticity. The engine's January 23 Flint assembly date aligns correctly with the car's production sequence, while the factory-correct Saginaw three-speed manual transmission further supports the integrity of the drivetrain.
The restoration was completed with an emphasis on correctness rather than customization. The fiberglass body presents exceptionally well with excellent panel fit and finish, while the interior, engine compartment, chassis, and undercarriage reflect the same careful attention to detail found throughout the car. Since completion of the restoration, the Corvette has accumulated just 1,644 miles, allowing both its cosmetic presentation and mechanical condition to remain exceptionally well preserved.
Factory equipment includes the signature 1958 center console, Wonderbar AM radio, factory-style dual exhaust, and the correct three-speed manual transmission. Every aspect of the restoration reflects a thoughtful commitment to preserving the appearance and character of the car as it would have been delivered when new.
This Corvette presents as a highly authentic example supported by extensive documentation, a date-correct drivetrain, and meticulous restoration. It is the type of car that rewards close inspection, with its quality revealed through correct details, careful workmanship, and a documented history spanning more than three decades.
Technical Specifications
Vehicle Identification
VIN: J58S105163
Model Year: 1958
Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Body & Exterior
Factory fiberglass body
Signet Red exterior
Black vinyl convertible top
Premium basecoat/clearcoat finish
Excellent panel fit and finish
Interior
Black vinyl bucket seats
Factory center console
Wonderbar AM radio
Dashboard-mounted clock
Engine
Chevrolet 283 CID V8
230 Horsepower
Single Four-Barrel Carburetor
Engine Suffix: F123CQ
Flint Engine Plant Assembly
January 23 engine assembly date
Correct CQ suffix for 230 HP manual-transmission Corvette
Date-correct engine
Transmission
Factory-correct Saginaw Three-Speed Manual
Casting Number: 3743368
Correct 1958–1959 transmission case
Rear Axle
Factory drop-out differential
Suspension
Independent front suspension
Rear longitudinal leaf spring suspension
Brakes
Factory-correct 11-inch hydraulic drum brakes
Wheels & Tires
Factory 15-inch steel wheels
Period-correct tires
Full-size spare tire
Exhaust
Factory-style dual exhaust with bumper exit outlets
Documentation
Comprehensive service and maintenance records from 1992 to present
Extensive restoration documentation
Organized file of service and parts receipts
Condition
Meticulously restored
1,644 miles since restoration
Date-correct drivetrain
Outstanding cosmetic presentation
Excellent mechanical condition
Model History
The 1958 model year occupies a distinctive place in Corvette history and is immediately recognizable as the only first-generation Corvette to feature four headlights, a louvered hood, chrome trunk spears, and additional chrome trim unique to a single model year. While these styling revisions lasted only one season, they have become defining characteristics of the 1958 Corvette and contribute significantly to its enduring appeal among collectors.
Mechanically, the Corvette continued to build upon the engineering advances introduced during the preceding years. Chevrolet's proven 283 cubic-inch small-block V8 remained at the heart of the lineup and was available in multiple horsepower ratings ranging from a single four-barrel carburetor to Rochester fuel injection. The 230-horsepower version paired strong performance with excellent drivability, making it one of the most balanced engine choices offered during the model year.
Unlike later Corvettes, 1958 models did not receive partial VIN stampings on their engine blocks. As a result, authenticity is established through engine suffix codes, casting numbers, casting dates, transmission identification, and production chronology. These details have become an important part of evaluating surviving examples and remain closely examined by knowledgeable Corvette enthusiasts today.
The C1 Corvette retained the engineering features that established its reputation as America's first true sports car, including lightweight fiberglass body construction, independent front suspension, responsive V8 performance, and distinctive styling that separated it from every other American automobile of its era. The 1958 model represented the most extensively styled Corvette of the first generation while maintaining the mechanical simplicity and driving experience that continue to define the C1 today.
Today, the 1958 Corvette remains one of the most recognizable and desirable models of the first-generation Corvette era. Its one-year-only styling, limited production, and unique place in Corvette history have made it a perennial favorite among collectors. Examples combining documented provenance, date-correct mechanical components, meticulous restoration, and comprehensive service history continue to represent some of the finest examples of Chevrolet's original American sports car.
