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Under the leadership of Harley Earl, 1958 saw the first major redesign of the Corvette since the all-new version was launched two years earlier. While the 1957s were famous for introducing the legendary ‘Fuelie’, the 1958 Corvette brought a new twin headlight look which would remain largely unchanged until the Stingray made its debut in 1963. 1958 was also the year that the Corvette first featured the louvered "washboard" hood and the chrome trunk "suspenders." The interior was also thoroughly modernized, with a dashboard layout that put all of the important instruments directly in front of the driver.

Not only was 1958 an important year for styling, the Corvette was finally starting to find success in motorsport. That year, a Corvette finished first in the sports car class at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb; Glen Minder drove a ‘Vette to 153 mph at Bonneville, and Jim Jeffords took home the SCCA National B-Production Championship in the ‘Purple People Eater,’ a Corvette SR-2. These successes greatly contributed to the Corvette legend and have made the ‘58 a true collector’s piece.

Indianapolis driver Jim Rathmann and Dick Doane drove a 1958 Corvette to 12th overall at the 1958 12 Hours of Sebring and place first in class.

Sources & Further Reading

1.Friedman Dave. Corvette Racing Thunder. Gullstrand Motor Productions: 2003.

Chassis & Sales

1958 Chevrolet Corvette - sold for $129,800 Chevrolet produced 9,168 Corvettes in 1958 but only 190 were originally finished in Panama Yellow with white cove panels. In fact, 1958 was the only model year between 1956 and 1964 that a yellow exterior finish was available on the Corvette. The example presented here is one of those 190 cars. Displaying a full professional restoration that was completed in 2008 by RadAir Inc., this very fine Corvette received a 97.9% score for its originalit... more
Gallery: 2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island RM Auction

1958 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel-Injected Convertible - sold for $66,000 Part of the O’Quinn Collection since 2005, the 1958 Corvette offered here is a nice driver-quality example with a powerful fuel-injected 283 cubic inch V8 engine mated to a Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission. It is finished in black with silver coves, a black interior, stainless steel hubcaps and wide whitewall tires. Options include power window lifts. A recent inspection reveals a sound fiberglass body with good door fit, good paint... more
Gallery: 2010 RM Automobiles of Amelia Island Auction

1958 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel Injected 283/290 HP - did not sell for $137,500 No detail was ignored in a recent restoration of this gorgeous sports car. The ample chrome trim is excellent without exception and shows beautifully against flawless black and silver paint that is a testament to this car’s extremely limited use since being restored. The consignor reports that this car is ready to drive and show. The interior of this remarkable Corvette features red Pebble Grain upholstery on the seats and dash which had be... more
Gallery: 2010 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction

1958 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster 290 HP, 4-Speed - sold for $135,000 The 1958 Corvette offered here has accumulated fewer than 1,500 miles since its complete restoration, but that has been enough so far to earn awards at three different show events. One of 729 finished in Charcoal with Silver coves, this original 4-speed “fuelie” car features a numbers matching 283/290 HP small block with the correct fuel injection unit rebuilt by specialist Chuck Smith. The comprehensive restoration included all new chrome, wi... more
Gallery: 2010 Mecum at Monterey

1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 283/315 HP, 4-Speed - did not sell for $90,000 Here is a 1958 original fuel injected Corvette that was owned for 42 years by the same owner and only two previous owners. For that reason this Corvette has all of its original body panels that are in flawless condition along with its original numbers matching drive train. The underside is unrestored and in pristine condition right down to the original date stencils. This car has not ever been on the market previous to this auction. A very rar... more
Gallery: 2010 Mecum at Monterey

1958 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster - sold for €120,750 One of only 1007, '58 Corvettes delivered with fuel-injected 290bhp engine, this example is rarer still in so far as every piece of the driveline, including the engine, fuel injection system, cylinder heads, bell housing, transmission and differential are correct 'matching numbers' to the car and believed original. 'J58S102566' comes with a detailed ownership history complied by the ninth owner (Lars-Erik Arnell of Carmel, Indiana, who acquire... more
Gallery: 2011 Automobiles d'exception au Grand Palais by Bonhams

1958 Chevrolet Corvette - sold for $67,100 The ownership history of this handsome Corvette traces back to Ms. Beatrice Cumming who, in December 1984, sold her 283/230 Roadster to Dr. Howard Bruckner of Augusta, Georgia. After spending a decade with the car, Dr. Bruckner enlisted Collector Auto Restoration Service in Alabama to complete a frame-off restoration. It is believed that the restorative work was done with the intention of preparing the Corvette for judged competition, parti... more
Gallery: 2011 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company

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