Hiding below that layer of dust is a 1958 Corvette with panels and paint that are good enough to knock your socks off. This project has stalled within sight of the finish, and it now needs the right person to add the final touches to this stunning classic. If you want to be that person, you will find the Corvette located in Buckeye, Arizona, and listed for sale here on eBay. There have been an incredible 44 bids submitted to this point, which has pushed the price to $32,700. However, the reserve hasn’t been met.
Just look at that shine! The owner refers to the body and paint as impeccable, and it is hard to argue with him on that point. It is finished in a combination of Silver Blue with Snowcrest White coves, and that pairing has an air of class about it. However, it isn’t clear whether this is entirely original because Chevrolet’s production records reveal that while 757 Corvettes were finished in Silver Blue with contrasting coves, all of those cars featured Inca Silver as the contrast. However, this is not the first ’58 that I have seen with this combination, so it might have been a dealer-initiated change. There isn’t a lot of exterior trim fitted to the car, and it isn’t clear whether it is included in the sale. It would be worth talking to the seller about this point because if replacement parts do need to be sourced, they will add to this classic’s restoration bill. The same is true when it comes to the question of a convertible top and frame, along with the appropriate wheels and hubcaps.
The questions continue to increase when we move around to look at the Corvette’s interior. The interior has obviously been trimmed in Silver Blue to match the exterior, and while the seats and a few refurbished trim pieces are present, there are a lot of pieces that aren’t. Once again, the listing is vague about whether parts come with the car or whether the buyer will need to compile a long shopping list. Regardless of the story, when it is complete, it should be a stunning looking car.
Given the beautiful work performed on the panels and paint, I find the engine bay’s presentation to be completely underwhelming. It could be that a lot of the marks are just splashes from where the panels have been wet-rubbed during the painting process, so I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. It would be interesting to see how well it presented once cleaned and detailed. Moving beyond that, the engine bay is occupied by a 283ci V8 that should be punching out 230hp. Shifting duties are performed by a 4-speed manual transmission, and in its prime, this is a classic that would have sprinted down the ¼ mile in 15.9 seconds. It would seem that looks can be deceptive with this Corvette because the brakes have been gone through, and this classic is said to run and drive well. It sounds like the buyer won’t need to spend anything on this classic’s drivetrain.
The C1 Corvette continues to be a classic that performs well in the market, and this one has the potential to continue that trend. The fit and finish of the panels and paint appear to be first-rate, and when the restoration work is complete, this holds the promise of being a stunning car. It just needs that right person to see it across the line, and it is in these cases, I hope that the right person is one of our readers. Could it be you?
Sorry, but no thanks. Once you’ve experienced the undeniable glory of a Corvette shell on a Toyota pickup chassis, there’s just no going back.
You said it J_Paul.
I never would have guessed the day would come when I would finally see a Corvette on Corvette chassis.
You have to wonder about the seller’s claim that this car “runs drives well”, when you see all the dirt and or body shop dust and overspray inside the carb! After noticing that the hardtop decklid mounting hardware were painted over, I’m also having a hard time believing their claims of how great the paint job is.
It looks like this car needs a lot more work and parts, then the seller’s letting on. $32700 and the reserve’s not met?
runuts?
Look at the Valve covers that bolt pattern did not start till 1962 the 58 were staggered 2 top bolts were closer together.
You are correct that a 58 should have staggered hole heads and valve covers, but the straight across ones came out during 59, not 62. There is a lot wrong under that hood, not just the heads. The “457” intake manifold’s from a 64-65 327/250, the carb is a Carter 4GC, which was never used on any Corvette, and the motor mount is a 61-62. And that’s just the big things, the coil mount, accelerator rod, generator, etc are all wrong too.
I’m not defending the seller, because there is a lot of BS in his ad, but just because the engine has the wrong heads or intake, doesn’t mean it’s not a 283, or even the original engine…..But it’s probably not.
the staggered bolt pattern was ’55=’57, it changed in ’58
lol more barret jackson flu
I don’t see any holes in the trunk lid for the chrome strips
Just needs “TO BE” finished.
Exactly. Who talks like that?
This was a red and white car. The work and expenses have just started on this car. There is a lot wrong here and so far the shiny new finish is diverting reality.
It’s over $35,000 and the reserve isn’t met? In your dreams seller.
My father had a 58 and he used the spears on the trunk as his radio antenna. I wonder if anybody else ever did that?
I saw this one listed on the Phoenix Craigslist for the past several weeks and I think they were asking around $45,000 for it then without success so it went to Ebay.