Judging by the company that it keeps, the owner of this 1958 Chevrolet Corvette has a soft spot for performance vehicles. This classic has occupied its current place for most of the last 35 years, but the owner has decided that it’s time that it went to a new home. He makes some suggestions for changes that the buyer might want to make, and if I were a betting man, I suspect that our readers will be split evenly between those who would make those changes and those who would leave the car untouched. If you find this all too tempting to resist, you will find the Corvette located in Vallejo, California, and listed for sale here on Craigslist for $65,000. A big thank you goes out to both Pat L and Rex M for sending this one in.
This Tuxedo Black Corvette has been part of a private collection, but it has seen little use over the past thirty-five years. The seller feels that this is unfair on this classic, so he has placed it on the market. It isn’t clear whether the vehicle has ever undergone any restoration work, and inspecting the supplied photos closely reveals a few flaws and chips in the paint. However, the fiberglass that lies beneath appears to be in good order, with no evidence of cracks or significant faults. The car comes with both a factory hardtop and soft-top, and while the current soft-top looks tired, I believe that a Black replacement is included in the sale. The external trim, including the original hubcaps, is in good condition. The glass is excellent, and the buyer can choose whether to leave this classic untouched or treat it to a cosmetic refresh.
The seller supplies no engine photos, but we know that this car is equipped with a Dual-Quad 283ci V8. It isn’t clear which version of the Dual-Quad we are looking at here, so it could produce either 245hp or 270hp. That power finds its way to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The lower figure would allow this Corvette to cover the ¼ mile in 15.7 seconds, while the more powerful engine would drop that time to 15.1 seconds. The seller provides no insight into the mechanical state of this classic beyond the fact that it runs. He states that he wears four-wheel disc brakes, and features a new fuel tank and fuel lines. If the car has been sitting for an extended period, the buyer would be well advised to undertake a full mechanical inspection before attempting any extended journeys.
The Corvette’s interior is upholstered in red, and the trim condition is unclear. However, things don’t necessarily need to stay the way they are. The owner includes all of the trim to outfit this interior with black leather upholstery. It includes new seatcovers, carpet, door trims, and a new dash. With the replacement soft-top, the buyer can transform this classic into a triple-black beauty. Some enthusiasts would decry these changes, but others will see them as an opportunity to transform this car into a stunning vehicle. It will be interesting to see how the numbers split amongst our readers on this question.
So, now that you’ve had a chance to fully appreciate this 1958 Corvette, what path would you follow? Would you leave it largely untouched, or would you treat it to a cosmetic refresh? The third alternative would be to follow the owner’s suggestion and convert this to a triple-black beauty. I will be interested to see what our readers think and how the numbers split between the three options. Now it’s over to you for some feedback.
Personally I would keep the red interior, triple black is a very good look but you don’t see many cars with interesting interiors these days. Red really helps it stand out, if you ask me.
Red on black is killer. The other car that comes to mind that looks best in red on black is the MGA. IMO foolish to change this one if it is truly a close to original car with few mods.
i feel bad for the shebly in the background, it makes it worse that is has stuff piled on it, even if its a clone it is still a fastback.
If it was a real Shelby, it has been modified… the T-Bird style tail lights didn’t appear until 1967. This car is a 1965 or 1966. It still could be a fun driver for sure!
Disc brakes? Interesting.
The whole ad is…interesting.
Exactly………odd way to advertise such a car. Looks like they just want a different car based on their trade desires.
Not to mention that in different pix it has both a 1969 or so yellow on blue plate and other times an antique classic plate.
You never know whats hidden in the suburban garage, As the song goes..people are strange
There is no competition for a full stock red interior in this. It just feels so much more 50s sports car and says “get in”. Mine was with charcoal.
so he has 2 desirable classics wedged in a cluttered garage… ??? ok… cool…
I would trade it for a ’57 Ford!
THIS: (see below)
“Classic &Rare t Black..1958 Corvette one year trim .Running… out of a collection rarely Driven in last 35 years.comes new parts to make Triple Black..
Has Opinions 4sp. 4.56 rear ended ,both tops and top cart, Comes with factory Duel quad. 4 wheel disc brakes. New Black leather seats and new dash and door cards ,Original 1958 Stock hubcaps..3/8” factory fuel line and new tank.
Can send of car Running & Driving…
Looking to Trade for Finished Classic Muscle Convertible Car or car’s.. no new car’s..
. 1955 Chevy,1956 Chevy Convertible..
Tri five. 1969 Camaro Convertible SS,RS,
Shelby Mustang GT. 500,Cobra, 1970 Cuda,1971 Cuda Convertible, Super Car, GTO, 911,427,426 Heim, 454, 1932,1933,1934,Hot Rod..must be great trade no car’s Over 1972..58’s very hard to find .. California Car..
1 – of 880.. of that year..
No Trucks Boats or Bikes
Maybe multiple car trade’s..Tell your Friends..
Please send pic’s of car or car’s Trade first.. No pic no trade.. must own trade car…!! No Cash Sales at this Time after the first of the year.. send reply through post..”
SCREAMS, SCAM!
Wants a finished car? You mean that Corvette is not finished enough to finish??? And the Mustang in the garage??? What is up with that??? His contact terms and conditions also send many red flags…..There is a price, yet you cannot pay that price???? My 67 Shelby GT500 would require cash my way for that Corvette in trade. With his 62K price or what he thinks is it worth, he is talking a 65-66 Mustang GT fastback in nice condition as a trade…..
Hint, when pictures look to be “too” nice on CL, that can indicate a scam.
Nice car. Picture 19 is of the engine. The only one. Maybe he is making room for his other project.
It doesn’t state what the original tag colors are, but if this is color correct now then that is exactly how I would leave it. As others have said red on black is a great look. I would also not use the black soft top,instead would go with a new white one. Originality is what its all about with great classics like this.
Car has different plates in several pictures, garage inside pictures seem to be different plus all the other nonsense that is posted in the CL ad.
Just doesn’t seem legit at all.
The showroom pic of under the hood goes with the car in the showroom which isn’t the same car. There must be something way wrong under the hood .
The dash pad is wrong and not acceptable with the rest of the car. It’s very hard to do like original.
The paint looks excellent but I think it ends there.
Yep. Too many red flags. Avoid!
It’s been deleted.
Missing chrome trim on bottom on both sides. Maybe he has those?
Trim on bottom of coves missing.
Ad Removed ! !
Maybe to many questions? To many red flags??
Red or black interior? Keep it red.
The comments some of you posted may have scared the ‘seller’, as the ad has been deleted. Good work.
It would be a nice car to own and drive through.