Tackling an unfinished project is not for everybody, although the interest generated by this 1958 Corvette suggests there is no shortage of candidates willing to give it a go. A previous owner dedicated plenty of time and money to its cosmetic needs, leaving the buyer to perform a mechanical revival. However, it appears to be essentially complete, and ready parts availability means that aspect of the build may not cost a fortune. The Corvette is listed here on eBay in Miami Beach, Florida. Bidding has raced to $30,600 in this No Reserve auction.

The seller is sparing with their information on this Corvette, meaning whether the color combination of Signet Red and White is per the Tag is unclear. If so, it was the second most popular two-tone combination. It was selected by 756 buyers, with Silver Blue and Silver trumping it by a single car! The seller states the previous owner initially focused on this Corvette’s cosmetic needs, ensuring the fiberglass was sound before treating it to a repaint. It presents well, and since it hasn’t seen active service, the panels and paint haven’t accumulated damage or imperfections. The underside shots confirm the frame is solid, with no signs of anything beyond the typical occasional dusting of surface corrosion you might expect from a classic in a favorable climate. The frame for the soft-top is present, but the top itself has gone. The chrome and glass look acceptable for a driver-grade build, but the bumpers require tweaking to achieve better alignment.

The mystery of this Corvette deepens when we open the hood. Its engine bay houses a V8 bolted to a four-speed manual transmission, but from there, we are flying blind. It should be a 283ci powerplant, but the seller supplies no information. An in-person inspection would uncover the truth, but if the car is numbers-matching, that motor should produce at least 230hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque. That raises an intriguing possibility to consider. If the motor isn’t original, that could offer the option of removing it and bolting in something more potent or modern as part of a restomod approach. Many people wouldn’t consider that option, but there is really nothing to lose if the original drivetrain is AWOL. Otherwise, revival of this engine may be possible following a thorough inspection. Purchasing this Corvette involves a leap of faith, and the bidding history suggests plenty of people have already jumped!

One aspect of this Corvette requiring little attention is its interior. It appears to have received at least a partial retrim because the seatcovers, door trims, and carpet are spotless. The passenger side grab bar looks rough, and there are wrinkles in the pad, but those are the only faults worth noting. The pad might respond to gentle stretching, while a reproduction grab bar assembly retails for under $200. With those items installed, this interior needs nothing.

Determining whether an unfinished project is worth pursuing can be difficult, but the public has spoken about this 1958 Corvette. The auction opened at $1, and it took twenty people under four days to submit the thirty-two bids that have brought it to the current figure. The No Reserve factor means it is days away from finding a new home, and with the seemingly minimal work required, it may only be weeks away from returning to its rightful place on our roads. Hmm, another C1 Corvette prowling our streets. That sounds like a good thing to me!