Easy Project: 1958 Chevrolet Corvette

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The C1 Corvette has a significant drawback for classic car enthusiasts. Values have climbed significantly in recent years, making it challenging to locate an affordable example to park in your garage. Even project cars can command some eye-watering prices, but that’s where this 1958 Corvette project build could come into its own. The owner has done much of the heavy lifting, leaving it to the buyer to add the finishing touches. If you feel tempted, you will find the Corvette located in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and listed for sale here on eBay. Reasonable interest has pushed the price to $30,100, but this figure remains shy of the reserve.

It appears that the seller has owned this Corvette for five decades, and its restoration commenced around twenty-five years ago. It has crawled along over the years to the point that you see now. The first piece of positive news is that the frame is rust-free, making this classic structurally sound. He has worked through stripping the body to the point where the bolt-on panels were down to bare fiberglass. He has gel-coated these and applied a coat of PPG primer. They are ready for the final step in preparation, but the buyer will need to finish the remaining panels first. There are a few minor defects in the fiberglass for the new owner to address, but there’s nothing major with which they’ll need to contend. It isn’t clear what shade from the Corvette color palette this classic originally wore, but there’s evidence to suggest that it may have been Panama Yellow. As you will see as we work through this car’s finer details, it isn’t 100% original. That means that while returning it to its factory color might seem like a logical step, the buyer could opt for something different to suit their personal taste. The factory hardtop appears to be in good condition, and the seller includes a soft-top as well. He has stripped and restored the wheels, and apart from the cove trims, all of the chrome is present. Overall, returning the exterior to its former glory looks like it could be a walk in the park.

We’ve reached the point in this Corvette’s story where we need to tackle the question of originality. When it rolled off the line, the engine bay would have been occupied by a 283ci V8. Which version this was is unknown because the numbers-matching motor is nothing but a distant memory. In its place is a 327ci V8 of mid-1960s vintage. Once again, its specifications are a mystery, but that may not be bad news. It means that if the car doesn’t produce enough mumbo to satisfy the buyer, they can take steps to remedy the situation without considering how such changes may impact the Corvette’s future value. Bolted to the small-block is a four-speed manual transmission. The owner has attacked the drivetrain in recent times, and it serves as good news for potential buyers. He has installed a Dewitts radiator, but he has retained the original to go with the car. He also has a new exhaust system waiting that the buyer can install. The brakes have been renewed, and new tires grace the restored wheels. The upshot of all this work is that the Corvette runs and drives extremely well. For those focused on a spot of instant gratification, they could hit the road immediately and tackle the restoration work at their leisure.

The Corvette’s interior is another area where potential buyers can make their mark. It appears that the owner has restored the dash, with desirable components like the clock and Wonderbar radio still in situ. The carpet looks new, as do the seatcovers and wheel. The supplied photos reveal two sets of door trim. One set is red, while the other is black. I’d probably opt for the black to match the seats, but the buyer might go the other way to add a striking contrast. Once again, it comes down to whether they crave originality or creativity.

As blank canvas project builds go, this 1958 Corvette looks like it could be a beauty. There’s no doubt that it would look stunning returned to its former glory, but its lack of originality could prove its most significant attraction to potential buyers. It allows that person scope to create the car of their dreams without the underlying stress that comes from molesting an original survivor. That would partially account for the interest that it has generated thus far, but it will be interesting to see if this sentiment is enough to tempt one of our readers to take the plunge. What do you say? Do you feel up for the challenge?

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Comments

  1. DRV

    This is my favorite year Corvette.
    This one needs everything. There is little salvageable in the interior so changing to red would be my choice.
    The body has a huge amount of work left and the front valance areas are a mess.
    Under the hood has choices, but originality would be redoing everything.
    It’s great that it drives and has the correct stance. 30k is all the money here…

    Like 8
  2. Frank Sumatra

    The options for finishing this are impossible to count. I see Gasser as my vision for this car. 57-62 C1’s seem pre-ordained to become drag cars in my opinion.

    Like 1
    • Craigo

      A Gasser?
      A walk in the park?

      Both ridiculous comments sorry

      Like 4
      • Frank Sumatra

        Richard- No need to be sorry. Have a great day.

        Like 0
  3. gbvette62

    I have to disagree with the writer, that this would be an “Easy Project”. I see a lot of work to do. There are a number of issues with the body, including the front emblem hole appearing to be filled, as are the notches in the front valance for the bumperette supports. From the pictures, there appears to be quite a few parts missing. There’s still paint to be striped, and while at it I’d strip the primer from the doors, trunk, and hood, to make sure whatever was done to them, was done correctly.

    The 327 isn’t an issue since 58 motors didn’t have a VIN stamp, making it easy to install a fairly correct and dated engine.

    The seller repeatedly calls this car original, but the original engine’s gone, and not much of the interior is original or correct. 58’s had a very unique pebble grain vinyl, and neither the seats or the dash have that pebble grain. The speaker grill’s not correct, and the shifter looks like it’s out of a 60’s Chevelle?

    It doesn’t look like a bad starting point to me, but it’s far from an easy project.

    Like 13
    • Jon.in.Chico

      Since the 327 didn’t come out until 1962 it is an issue connected to a 1958 model Chevrolet … a 283, or even a 348 in some models questionable perhaps, but a 327 definitely not …

      Like 0
    • MikeB

      In addition to everything gbvette62 said you would need a very good fiberglass tech as these early vette bodies tended to develop stress cracks. I had a 58 vette and by 1959 it began to show some hairline cracks in the finish. Not a huge deal but irritating none the less.

      Like 2
  4. bobhess bobhessMember

    Sorry Frank, but while I agree the price is too high and the amount of work to finish it huge, the days of cutting up collector cars to make gassers nobody wants is long gone.

    Like 9
    • Llouis200

      Good post bobhess price seems high . It could be a gasser for a much lower price.

      Like 0
    • Frank Sumatra

      @Bob- No need to be sorry, but I am curious why do you refer to this as a “collector” car? We have all seen enough junk on these pages to know what a “collector” Corvette is. This ain’t one of them.

      Like 0
  5. JagManBill

    “Easy” is in the eye of the beholder. Compared to a pile of parts in a corner of a garage, this is “easy”. At least (it would appear) that most of the parts are where they should be for a starting point. 58-60 is my favorite Vette and I’m not GM guy. If the trans is period correct, then drive the 327 till you find a period correct 283. As for the rest of it, clear coat it and drive the NCRS guys crazy….
    OK..that might be too much. But a simple preservation paint job on it till you have all the parts and period pieces collected then begin a restoration wouldn’t be out of the question. But I go back to my NCRS comment. I’d still just clean up the glass where needed, paint it white, yellow or any other light color with a flex-additive added to the paint to minimize cracking, put all the pieces back on it and drive it

    Like 0
  6. MICK George.

    Hate that word ORIGINAL .It is only original once and that is when it leaves the factory. while at the dealership it gets detailed mostly a clean up. then it might be used for some demo runs. after 64 years it has been through a lot .it can look nice and look original but it never can be it can only look like it and anyone who thinks there car is ORIGINAL after any period of time and referbisment is a fool. Mick George Australia.

    Like 0
  7. Al's garage

    I say if the car has paperwork ,runs ok and the frame is good , put plates on it and drive it !!

    Like 0
  8. CeeOne

    A 58 should have the fake louvers on the hood and the spears on the trunk. I can’t really see the hood, though. Trunk holes could have been filled in. I believe the seat covers are out of a 59.

    My dad had a 58 with the base engine and the 3 speed trans and he used the trunk spears as his antenna.

    I have his 62, but I’d love to find his 58.

    Like 0
    • CeeOne

      I took a look at the Ebay photos and it does have a 58 hood.

      Like 0
  9. Lowell Peterson

    Easy/Project= OXYMORON? There is no short cut to the fastlane. Disassemble, fix stuff, find stuff send other stuff here and there for redo like chrome, upholstery? Reassemble, trouble shoot your new fuel,electrical,and brake systems, oh yeah, wipers,underdash, heater, weatherstrip, regulators. Did we redo the chassis?
    Bob’s yer uncle?……$$$$..$$$$..$$$

    Like 1
  10. michael brown

    this 58 is my car now and it all done and not for sale it will be at the corvette ex show in tenn 3 14 2024 come see what you miss

    Like 0

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