Sitting in this garage is one of the most desirable classics to roll off an American production line. This 1958 Corvette has seen little use over the past three decades, and the owner has decided that it needs to find a new home. He offers a Buy It Now option but will consider trades for the right vehicle. It needs work, but many of the parts required to return it to its former glory are included in the sale. Located in Vallejo, California, you will find the Corvette listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $68,000 but will consider trades for a more expensive classic. That makes it tempting if you want to score this car and have some money in the bank to return it to a factory-fresh state.
If the paint shade on this Corvette is original, it is 1-of-493 cars to roll out of the factory in 1958 wearing Tuxedo Black. That doesn’t make it the rarest color because Inca Silver holds that distinction, with Panama Yellow sitting second. The paint on this car shows minor flaws and marks, and the car would benefit from a cosmetic refresh. The fiberglass looks pretty respectable, with no significant cracks or evidence of prior repairs. The owner doesn’t indicate whether there are any rust problems with the frame, but if it has spent most of its life in California, there’s a good chance that it is structurally sound. The exterior trim looks good for a car of this age, as does the glass. A factory hardtop is included, along with a new Black soft-top still in its box. He also includes a shiny new set of wire wheels wrapped in whitewall tires for those buyers unconcerned about complete originality. At first glance, this looks like a promising project. If the buyer does negotiate a trade, that additional money could potentially return the Tuxedo Black paint to its former glory.
There are a few mysteries with this Corvette, not the least of which are the questions of its mechanical configuration and originality. It features a 283ci V8 with a factory Dual-Quad setup. Bolted to this motor is a four-speed manual transmission that sends the power to a Posi rear end. The first question that we need to raise is which version of the Dual-Quad motor we’re looking at because the seller doesn’t provide specifics. The more common of the pair was the Code 469 unit (2,436 cars), which produced 245hp. The rarer 469C (978 vehicles) pumped out 270hp. While it is a question that is impossible to answer conclusively, the interior shot provides a possible clue. We glimpse the tachometer, which shows a redline at 6,000rpm. If this is accurate, that will make this 283 the more powerful version. If so, it would demolish the ¼ mile in 15.4 seconds. As well as a question over the engine type, there is also one surrounding its originality. While the owner doesn’t categorically state that the car is numbers-matching, he provides that impression. He also claims an odometer reading of 54,000 miles but fails to mention verifying evidence. However, he does appear approachable, meaning he could potentially clarify these issues. He says that the ‘Vette has seen little use over the past three decades, but it does run. He includes some additional mechanical components for those who aren’t concerned about originality. These include four-wheel disc brakes, coil-overs, and other parts. These items are new in their boxes, waiting for someone to bolt them into place.
If a buyer ordered their new Corvette in 1958 wearing Tuxedo Black paint, they were limited to interior trim colors of Charcoal or Red. This car features the latter, and its condition is difficult to ascertain. Once again, the seller provides a tempting option for those unconcerned about originality. He includes a new leather interior trim kit in Black. If the buyer installs this and the new soft-top, this will be a striking triple-black car guaranteed to turn heads. The beauty of such changes is that the next owner could retain the existing trim if they felt inclined to reverse these changes. It’s also interesting to note that the complete collection of included parts has cost the seller $30,000, and when you consider the BIN, it makes this package look extremely attractive.
While the Chevrolet Corvette almost faced extinction in 1955, by 1958, it had cemented its place in the performance market. A sales total of 9,168 cars for that model year marked the most successful to date, and the numbers would continue a relentless climb from there. This ‘Vette shows promise as a project car, and the idea of trading a more expensive classic will appeal to some enthusiasts. With a considerable collection of new parts and some money in the bank, that should leave the new owner with the resources to transform this classic into an eye-catching beauty. Do you have the right car in your garage that would suit this owner, and would you consider negotiating a trade? Or would you rather hand them the BIN figure and drive off into the sunset?
Sounds like a true case of “Interes-tus Interrup-tus”
This is my 58 corvette it’s for trade only . If you have Classic Convertible
Restomod 56 bel air, RS,SS Camaro , Shelby mustang 67 tribute,or a 62 C1, finished …please send pics first.. to…707-656-7754.. David
On rush .
I am not an expert like some in these cars but the thing that stands out to me is the red Interior with the dash pod painted black. I tried to find a pic of another like that and could not. Maybe this use to be a black Interior?
You’re right, that’s not correct, someone’s been playing around with the interior.
58-62 interiors were all one color. A red interior had a red center stack, column and cluster. It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but the interior looks more red, while 58’s had a very orangy red interior. And a black interior wasn’t offered at all.
I doubt it’s the original engine, at least the heads aren’t original. 58 small blocks had heads with staggered valve cover holes, but those heads have straight across valve cover holes. The straight across hole heads didn’t come out until mid 59. A lot of other things under the hood, like having an alternator, aren’t original either. I didn’t see where the seller calls it a 283 either. It may come with $30K in spare parts, but they’re all after market parts like leather seats, disc brakes, coil overs, etc, none of which are of much use to someone wanting to restore a car.
Looking at the pictures, I’m wondering why there is some kind of pulley attached to the left rear of the car, with cables running back into the garage???? In another picture, there’s a wheel chock in front of a rear tire. Does this mean it doesn’t have working brakes????
I’ll defer to gbvette62 but…
shouldn’t it have either a 6000 or 8000 RPM tach (it has a 7000)?
wasn’t the T shifter lockout introduced in ’59?
58 Vette had recording hour meter tach. One year only.
He clearly says in the ad he has the full set for the interior in black
Does anyone know what that round rod is between the two hood latches?
Charcoal was only on the late 58 , but charcoal interiors were made first. This was probably a charcoal interior with a new red one installed. The dash should match and yes, it is an orange red called signet red. The puzzle is that’s an original steering wheel of red plastic instead of black used with the charcoal interior.
This is a great one but with a mix of originality which affects price, and it’s not cheap.
Please stop using the overplayed “Destroy the quarter mile”. 15.4 seconds isn’t even quick anymore. That’s v-6 sedan territory these days.
Please stop comparing 60+ year old cars to cars of today. Among other things, there was an invention called the interstate highway system that changed the way cars need to perform.
Living in 2022 using a computer and the internet to comment on a forum on old cars brings us into modern times and newer cars are faster, more efficient in every way and they are also more secure
Accept it or write us back on a piece of paper and dont forget the stamp !
Agree…..not sure why thier on here busting us old guys…….
Yeah … reliving the “old days” … bought a ’61 like this, red, 283, 2-4bbl, 4-speed … paid $1,200 for it in 1974 … traded it for a ’55 T-Bird … nothing like hearing 2-4bbl carbs open up … one of the ones that got away, but we didn’t know back then …
58 had an hour meter incorporated on the tach face. One year only
“58 had an hour meter incorporated on the tach face. One year only”
Thanks, I never knew that. My dad had a 58 and then traded it in on a 62, which I have. The 62 has an hour’s meter, maybe because the 58 did?
I have owned my 62 Vette since 1971. The 58 ran the tach off the rear of the generator. 62 runs off the distributor. They will not interchange.
Although I won’t argue that black / red is a great color combo, I think of the 58 Corvette as the gaudiest model year, not that it is a bad thing. But, I think that this would look better with either a white or silver alternate cove color – silver being the best.
What is so bad about leaving it alone? Make it operable and take on Sunday Drives?
original is nice, but I can afford one like this…and its one I would go for (’56/60) as the DA was not grafted on the back yet. The binicle, 2 sides of the dash. “gaudy”, I guess I like it. The chrome around the lights & heading back, may B not on the trunk tho (or around the cove)…
Even the off yrs motor (could go as I rediculosly would put in the Blue Flame w/the 3 YH side drafts) and gives me an excuse for an off yrs engine…
My father had a 58 with the base engine and a 3 speed. He used the spears on the trunk as his radio antenna. The 15 to 20 year old would not have liked that engine and trans combination. I have his 62 which is a 340 hp 4 speed, but I’d almost rather have his 58.