Regular readers will know my preference for unmolested classics, whether as genuine survivors or meticulous restorations. However, there is something undeniably attractive about locating a car that has led a colorful past. That is the opportunity awaiting the new owner of this 1958 Chevrolet Corvette. Its exterior carries several custom touches, but the story below the skin helps it stand out. It is a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to perform a faithful refurbishment or transform it into the classic of their dreams. The Corvette is listed here on Craigslist in Haddam, Connecticut. The seller set their price at $24,500 OBO, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this promising project.

After a faltering start, the C1 Corvette had cemented its place in the market by 1958. A sales total of 9,168 cars represented an almost 50% increase over the previous year’s record, repaying the company’s decision to persist with the program. There is so much to unpack with this classic it is challenging to know where to start. It is 1-of-510 Corvettes ordered in Regal Turquoise, although that shade now hides below an older layer of Gold. However, that is only the first of many changes this classic has endured throughout its life. The fiberglass is in generally good order, although there is damage requiring attention. The panels include a modified grille opening, drenched headlights, and cut front wheel arches. The latter was to accommodate a customer frame when this gem saw racing duties at the local strip and on the street. Reversing the changes should be straightforward, especially since the seller has dropped the body back onto a rock-solid ’58 frame. The original soft-top is included, as well as a hardtop that is visible in the supplied images. The seller provides a collection of parts to help the buyer on their project path, whether they choose a faithful or custom approach.

Okay, now is when we must draw a deep breath to consider this car’s colorful history. Its engine bay would have originally housed a 283ci V8, but which version is unclear. The Corvette underwent a profound change during the 1960s, with its Chevrolet powerplant making way for a Pontiac 421ci Super Duty V8 and automatic transmission. A previous owner modified this classic to be competitive at the local strip and on the streets, but that was only the tip of the iceberg. In 1967, they acquired an almost new but accident-damaged Oldsmobile Toronado. They constructed a custom frame and slotted the drivetrain from the Olds under this car’s skin. They cut the front wheel arches to accommodate the changes, and while they had it running and driving, it never saw active service before being placed into storage in 1968. It only emerged in February, with the seller acquiring a solid frame and stock suspension onto which they bolted the body. Its modified history means the firewall and inner fenders were cut, but returning these areas to their original form shouldn’t be difficult. The lack of an engine or transmission makes this a genuine blank canvas. The buyer could source period-correct components for a faithful refurbishment, pursue the restomod path, or return it to its racing form with a Pontiac V8 under the hood. It is a case where the world will be their oyster.

The Corvette’s interior is essentially complete, with the parts stash containing some of the dash components that appear to be missing in this shot. The driver’s seat isn’t original, and whether the new owner sources a correct replacement will depend on their vision for this classic. A complete retrim is on the agenda, but the cost will be driven by the path they plan to take with this build. High-quality trim kits are readily available for a faithful approach, but custom upholstery as part of a restomod build might prove irresistible.

The term “blank canvas” is overused in the classic world, although it perfectly describes this 1958 Chevrolet Corvette. It is a prime candidate for the faithful approach, although a custom approach is valid since it has undergone many changes. There is something quite attractive about the idea of returning it to its racing form, and it would undoubtedly turn heads if that were to happen. I don’t believe there are any right or wrong answers in this situation, so which path would you choose?