There are “claimed” barn/garage finds and then there’s da real ting, and that’s what Scott R. has found for us today, a “buried” 1958 Chevrolet Corvette, which is an apt description! Parked in the mid-eighties, this forlorn-looking ‘Vette has been cooling its jets (and everything else!) in a Northridge, California garage, just waiting for someone new to take an interest in bringing this desirable two-seater back to life. Potential saviors will find this Chevy here on craigslist where it’s available for “Let me know what you think.” (I’m not kidding – check the listing).
The 1958 Corvette was notable for a more overt appearance than its predecessor. As with most ’58 models, it grew a second set of headlights that functioned as highbeams and then added a fake vented hood, and opted to travel the late fifties chrome route – most notably with a pair of tusks that traversed the trunk lid. It was a departure from the more sedate, single-headlight ’57 edition and definitely more amped up than its ’59 successor that eschewed the non-functioning hood vent and excessive chrome trim. A little over 9K individuals plunked down the $3,600 minimum (base price) to enjoy Chevrolet’s now established, fiberglass bodied two-seater in the recession year of 1958.
The body of this car has been stripped, and it appears that quite a bit of patching was undertaken at some point in the past. The seller states, “I believe all the parts are there, but subject to inspection. Have bumpers, hood, trunk lid, hardtop.” In a situation such as this, it’s easy to assume that some parts may be missing and will need to be sourced – that “subject to inspection” part is important.
The seller mentions that he has two engines but offers no other details. The standard powerplant was a 230 gross HP 283 CI V8, so that’s likely what he has with one engine still assembled and the other in pieces. The transmission is listed as being a manual, which could be either a three or four-speed unit – no description or image is provided.
The interior is about what one would expect; the seats and instrument panel are still in place, but not much else. It’s difficult to say much else about it as there’s only one listing image, and there’s just not a lot to it. Again, the listing claims that the interior is available, but what exactly that includes is not discernible.
The listing condition describes this ‘Vette as “Fair“, and I’d say that’s a stretch. But then again, a C1 Corvette, in any shape, will always attract attention. As for the seller’s concluding statement of “Let me know what you think,” I think he’s got a pile-o-parts and GLWTS. How about you, what do you think?
Taking one apart is easy…but to some, putting one back together is impossible.
Holey Kow, I love a vintage vette as much as anyone else but I wouldn’t take this one if you put a gun to me cabesa!
I hate ads where the seller won’t name a price, you’ve got to ask if you are genuinely interested, but it usually an exercise in frustration. These seller know what offers they won’t accept, so it’s not a stretch to come up with one, even if it’s high, it’s a starting point. Dealing with a seller that is straightforward tends to make a transaction go smoothly, an ad like this means you are going on a fishing expedition.
At least clean the garage and lay the out so potential buyers can tell what they are dealing with before they make an offer. Doing so will increase the price they can get.
Steve R
Some people are just plain lazy. If you’ve sold much of anything in your life, you know that it takes time and effort to produce an appealing presentation of what you’re selling in order to build interest. If you can’t do that, be happy with tripping over crap in your garage and not really knowing what you have.
That is true, for years I paid for my car hobby by doing swapmeets. People are lazy and it’s getting worse, the problem with this seller is his approach, a price of $1,234,567 isn’t about producing an appealing presentation, it’s about the seller fishing for offers, though the two often go hand in hand. Sellers that won’t name a price, especially at a swapmeet are sucking up time that can be used to chase good deals from other vendors, it’s best in most cases to walk away unless the item up for sale is a holy grail item.
Steve R
There is something to be said about avoiding abandoned projects. I can only wonder how much time and effort will be required to simply identify, inventory, organize and catalog all the piece-parts on hand. Even if labor is free, it’s a tedious and time-consuming process.
Unless cubic dollars are involved it can be very easy to lose interest in such a project as this 1958 Corvette.
Garages like this one tell me what’s in them is in the same condition. If you are 22 years old, rich, and know a lot about cars it might be a good buy for you. Lots of years to complete a rebuild, money no object, and smart enough to take on the task. Other than that, go out and buy one in one piece.
No Price Means VASTLY OVERPRICED!
If this were close enough for me to fetch it I’d offer as much as $1000 as it would take three men and a boy to dig out what parts there are to find.
The body will bring 10 grand to a rest my guy 1000 bucks is laughable
This is parts only for a current project in better shape. Good luck to the seller!
The first picture brings back memories of my Dad and I restoring his 1958 Vette so that he could use it for his daily driver. (Only drove it to the train station for the ride into the city.) Even though I didn’t have a driver’s license when we did the the rebuild. I’m certain that I could remember where all the parts go. It would be cool to do this car in remembrance to Dad. But not near as much fun. (There would be a bit of crying off and on while the project was in full swing.) I really miss my Dad. And he really loved to drive that car! (He ordered a new Avanti, but it never came. So this was his “other plastic car”.)
I bought 2 1958 Vettes like this one in 2024 stored in a barn for over 40 years.
This would make a great “Hot Rods to Hell,”clone car ! Rollbar is already there!LOL
When I see ads like this I don’t believe the seller is serious about selling. It is going to take a little effort to get this sold and it does not look like any effort is coming. As more and more of these dissambled cars come to sale I ask myself what terrible act of meanness could this poor car have displayed to the owner to cause him to take such a violent action of careless disassembly to his once beloved ride. The back story might be priceless…
This is a mess. If it was free, come get it, “I just want it out of my garage,” I’d still have to think about it. And… having thought about it, I’d still walk away even if it was free.
another person that needs their tools taken away from them and their hands cut off to prevent them from doing this to another car. they always have an excuse for why it looks like it does. i fell this is a bunch of b/s. good luck your gonna need it
I fully agree. Take the tools away. What kind of fool does this to a collector car and then just leaves it abandoned for years. Such a sad outcome.
It looks like dad, or grandpa died. And his daughter got her non car guy husband, or son, to write it up.
I’d like to see more pictures if possible my offer right now is 9500 Gerard [email protected]
To go with Steve R. If any ad for parts or for the whole car that doesn’t have A price $$, that just means it’s not for sale. It’s just a fishing exposition !!
On a basket case like this, it’s all about the money. Get for for under $10k and it might be worth sinking all that it will take into it. Assume “all the parts are there” to be wishful thinking and many will need to be replaced. A crap shoot for sure but I’ve seen worse that were brought back to beautiful condition. You really need to know your C1 cars and be savvy in what it takes to do all the work.
I can’t believe some of these comments nit pickers it’s possible theses people don’t know that is car is worth (15k) I would buy it in a heart beat if wanted a good project all you can do if you want a car like this is go and offer them that you think its worth.
This car isn’t worth squat to an honest person without a clear title and an original VIN plate that matches the frame stamping. Notice that the “seller”, and I use the term loosely, doesn’t mention if he’s the legal owner.
I wouldn’t waste a minute chasing a car advertised like this. It isn’t even worth one phone call. The “seller” is probably hiding something, and it isn’t something good for a buyer.