Completely coincidentally, I have been looking to acquire a ’58 Corvette for a few months now. Only this morning I found this very car, not on Barn Finds or eBay, but directly at Gullwing’s website; now here it has shown up in our assignment list. My first glance at the car made me wince, and I immediately shifted my eyes elsewhere, anywhere! Let’s find out why. Here on eBay is a 1958 Chevrolet Corvette for sale, with an asking price of $42,500. This car is at Gullwing Motor Cars in Astoria, New York, a reasonable subway ride from Manhattan. The year 1958 was a special year for the C1. Styling changes that persisted past 1958 included dual headlights, false intakes in the coves with chrome flash trim, an extravagant front bumper and grille arrangement, similar treatment in the rear, and a new instrument panel with the tachometer front and center. Singular embellishments included a washboard hood (the louvers were fake) and chrome trim highlighting the trunk (trunk irons) – two features that did not survive past 1958. So what’s missing from our subject car? Both items that make it a ’58: the trunk lid and the hood have been replaced. The chrome trim around the coves is missing, along with a few grille slats and other external parts. I probably don’t need to mention those are not original wheels. Looks to me like someone generated cash by selling off the best parts of this car to another owner of the 9168 examples made this year.
A Chevrolet 283 cu. in. V8 should be nestled in this engine bay; this looks like a 327 but I’m not an expert and the seller isn’t saying. In fact, he’s not saying much, except that the car has been in storage since 1994. We don’t know if it runs or drives. The ad touts that the car is a four-speed, and yes, there was a Powerglide option and a three-speed manual, but a third of the ’58s produced had the four-speed. A note about matching numbers: in ’58 there was no tie yet relating the motor number to the VIN, but there was a date code identifying the month and day a motor was made, the type of air/fuel delivery (injection or carburetion), and its transmission.
The interior needs a refresh. The original steering wheel has gone missing and at least one gauge is incorrect, a signal that other items are likely missing. And gee, is it not possible to vacuum these barn finds these days or does that somehow diminish their so-called value?
The hardtop is present, but I’m not going to give the car much credit for that; these are available if you need one though you will have to repaint it. While the body is fiberglass, it is built around a cage and on a frame of metal. Even close inspection may not be enough to find rust, and the rear end of this car shows it hasn’t seen much love. A dedicated restoration expert could tackle this thing, but not at the price offered. The seller needs to experience the dawn of reality.
Another old neglected Corvette, anyone see the hood pins at the rear of the hood? Yes 58 the year if excess and the Corvette didn’t escape the trend. Although this has the two one year parts missing. Hood and trunk lid, have no idea how hard either is to locate. Instrument cluster has aftermarket gauges in place, could be a tough one to restore. Price is a bit enthusiastic for this car.
A real ratty car for way too much money. Agree on enthusiastic price but will add “nuts” to it.
Gullwing really overprices the cars they own, imo
And he never says much, IMO he always plays the part of Mickey the Mope when you have a valid question
FYI I know a Corvette restorer that says the proper term for the chrome trim pieces on the trunk is “trunk spears”.
Every year of Corvette is One Year Only.
A nother old hot rod covette that I’m sure seen some very very good times, clean it get brakes and what ever lined out leave as is a hot rod.
I’d love to know what makes the writer say the engine looks more like a 327 then a 283. Without looking at numbers, the engines are identical externally. From the PCV in the valve cover, it’s far more likely a 350, or some other post 68 small block. Also, 53-62 Corvettes rarely suffer from the rust issues, more common in 63 and up Corvettes. The bodies have some metal support, but not a full “birdcage” like later years, and other than the rear crossmember (an easily replaced bolt in part) their frames aren’t very prone to rust either.
The trunk irons were often removed because people thought they were ugly, wanted to update their car to look like a 59-60, or couldn’t afford to rechrome a part that large (they’re pot metal and often are pitted).
While obviously needing a lot of work, and clearly overpriced, I’m sure this car will have no problem finding a buyer who with plans to turn it into a quarter million dollar plus restomod.
My thought EXACTLY, lol!!! Where in the heck do they come up with these obscure, made-up thoughts that are, obviously, just filler? If you have zero idea of what you are writing about, you’re probably better off just not saying anything. I about died when I read that. “Gee, that sure looks like a 327, not a 283…er, maybe it’s a 265 but, no, it looks almost like a 307, or a 305 perhaps. Could be a 400 though. Wait, no, scratch all of that…it’s a 302, that’s what it is. Final answer.”
Yeah, I wrote that and it was a stupid sentence. I did note that I am not an expert (though I also know a 327 is a very common swap) and what I was hoping to do is elicit someone’s comment that, no, that’s a 350 or whatever. In fact, I shouldn’t have said a word about it. Turns out you can tell a 283 from a 327 but only by looking at the front cover.
I called Gullwing today and they say the motor is from a Camaro and that’s the sum total they know about it. No idea of displacement.
Sorry for being an idiot!
Back in the mid seventies, I owned a ’58 Corvette. I did a trip out to California and found the missing trunk spears mine was missing at a flea-market on the coast…Sana Barbara, I think. I paid $100.00 US a piece. I was so happy to bolt them onto mine when I got home. The last time I checked, they were $1,000. US each.
I love a ’58. Probably my favorite of the earlyish ones
Pretty cool looking car, very old school. Not a great candidate for a body off restoration without those matching numbers. It would be perfect to build a period correct street rod. I’m sure that someone with $32k in their pocket will trailer it home.
Why didn’t who ever wrecked this car just buy a ’59? IMO…There are only two Corvette years, ’58 and ’63.
just out of High school my best friend had a 58 vette good time s !
Blue fan blades are purdy trick !!
I always wanted an old Corvette, this trailer is as close as I got. So far.
Another ruined classic. Hood and trunk lids made this a 1958 with chrome slats on trunk lid and molded raised louves on hood lid. Bad steering wheel, changed gauges. this car has taken a beating and no one would want it. Leave it parked.
Was this car a prize fighter or something; it looks like it got its two front teeth knocked out.
I has the rare hillbilly option the missing teeth!! lol
Too much money for a car that needs a total restoration, spend another $20,000 and buy one all done
Clean it up, and enjoy it! Price is a little high, but as one person already mentioned, Peter always has high prices .
Another price out of the Junk &.Scrap Dealers Retail Price Guide This guy saw Corvette and read $$$$$$$$. Hope he can hold his breath a looonnng time. Best thing to do with guys like this is let them keep the car. Once you hear the ridiculous price say” Are you nuts” and walk away. Maybe then they’ll get real on pricing. Too many decent condition cars for that price or even lower to pay that kind of money for a car in this condition.
I love fiberglass but the price is a little high the car is worth around 25k but it looks like a good restoration project
I blame the out-of-control auto auctions on TV (Mecham etc. where the 1% shop). It’s a real shame project cars are so inflated the average guy can only dream about purchasing one. Some cars are a work of art and very rare, and they become “Trailer Betty’s” demanding what the 1% market will bear. However, their values shouldn’t dictate the value of a street worthy project car. Just food for thought…
Missing trim and frenched taillights lead me to believe everything was shaved for appearance.
How do you come to the conclusion that the taillights are frenched? It appears to me that just the chrome bezels are missing,(pictures leave a lot to be desired). The taillights on 1956 thru 1959 Corvettes are recessed with chrome bezels
Michelle, please don’t feel bad and you are certainly not an idiot. These threads can be pretty brutal at times. I like it when when we all share information and cool stories, instead of cruel corrections. There are kinder ways to share ones knowledge of cars.
I thought that your synopsis was just fine, keep them coming. I’ll probably get some heat for this……
Thanks!
This would be easier being a restomod and would not be so hard on the wallet.