The Chevy Corvette received its second major facelift for the 1958 model year. Four headlights, two per side arranged horizontally, replaced the previous year’s single light per side arrangement. Two chrome strips were added to the trunk lid, running vertically from the top of the rear deck to the rear bumpers. The previous thirteen chrome “teeth” in the grille were reduced in number to nine, but were beefier in appearance. The side coves grew false vents with cross-flag emblems and three horizontal chrome spears running rearward, and the hood had washboard-style ridges that were initially intended to be functional, but were faux by the time of production.
The 1958 Chevy Corvette had a revamped interior as well, with an all-new 160 mph speedometer positioned behind the large, flat three-spoke steering wheel. The tachometer was placed just above the steering column, inside the large-radius speedo. Also within the speedometer were the parking brake and high beam warning lights, along with the odometer. To the right of the steering column were the battery and oil pressure gauges, and to the left were the gas and temp gauges. The parking brake was just under the dash on the left side, just beneath the hood release. In the center stack, you could find the radio, heat and defrost controls, and the clock, with the radio speaker centered on the top of the dash. The passenger side of the dash featured a padded grab bar in front of a brushed aluminum crescent imprinted with CORVETTE script. The following year would see the addition of an angled painted parcel tray between the crescent and the bar.
Though all of the engine options for the 1958 Chevy Corvette displaced 283 cubic inches, there were a variety of power and induction choices. Engines could be had with a single or pair of four-barrel carbs, or with Rochester mechanical fuel injection, with power outputs of 230, 245, or 270 horsepower for carbed engines, or 250 or 290 horsepower for the fuel-injected variants. The base transmission was a three-speed manual unit, with optional four-speed manual or two-speed Powerglide automatic.
Our feature 1958 Chevy Corvette Fuelie is from the Iannelli Family collection. It is powered by the top-of-the-line 290-horsepower fuel-injected 283 backed by a four-speed manual transmission. The Corvette is equipped with both a white vinyl soft top and the Signet Red hardtop. Finished in Signet Red with Snowcrest White coves, the Corvette was the subject of a complete rotisserie restoration completed in 2000. In 2002, it received a Third Flight at the NCRS event in Orlando.
This 1958 Chevy Corvette has been prepared for sale with extensive detailing, inspection of all mechanical systems, servicing of the fuel system, fuel injection unit, and replacement of the fuel filter, pump drive cable, and an OEM-style AC Delco battery.
This Chevrolet Corvette sold for $156,800 inclusive of fees at the RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island auction on March 4th.
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Comments
Beautiful!
Nice car!
These later ‘50s and early ‘60s Corvettes were always my favorites.