After almost reaching an inglorious end due to disastrous sales results in 1955, Chevrolet’s Corvette bounced back to cement its place in automotive folklore. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1958, and following a restoration a few years ago, it continues to present beautifully. Its appeal is enhanced by the original Dual-Quad V8 under the hood, blessing this classic with performance to match its good looks. It needs a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on eBay. The ‘Vette is located in Aiken, South Carolina, where spirited bidding has pushed the price to $70,651. With the reserve unmet, there is still time remaining if you find yourself irresistibly drawn to this gem.

From a low of 700 cars in 1955, Corvette sales grew to 9,168 by 1958. That result rewarded the company’s faith in its sports car program. This ‘Vette is 1-of-455 to roll off a showroom floor wearing Panama Yellow paint. That represents a take-up rate of 5%, and the only rarer shade for that model year was Inca Silver with 193. The seller indicates that the car underwent a frame-on restoration a few years ago, and it continues to present nicely. The paint holds an impressive shine, with any potential flaws or defects too minor to show in the supplied photos. The Black soft-top looks excellent, and the color-matched factory hardtop is okay. The seller says that the paint and headliner are good, but he describes the state of the moldings, glass, and rubbers as acceptable. Treating those items to a birthday so they present as nicely as the rest of the exterior may prove relatively easy and inexpensive in the context of this classic’s potential value. The restoration process included replating or replacing the exterior trim, which sparkles as impressively as the paint. The seller mentions no rust problems with the frame, and the overall condition of the rest of the car gives us cause to remain quietly optimistic on that front. A set of whitewall tires round out the exterior package, adding to this Corvette’s classy appearance.

The price of a new Corvette in 1958 was $3,591, which offered buyers performance that could match or better the best provided by most traditional sports cars at the time. However, buyers craving more could splash their cash on some drivetrain upgrades that lifted performance to a far higher level. The “Fuelie” option was top of the heap, but that wasn’t a cheap choice. This car’s original owner elected to order the vehicle with the 283ci Dual-Quad motor that put 270hp at their disposal. At an additional $182.95, it represented a relative bargain compared to the Fuelie. They also spent the extra cash on a four-speed manual transmission and a Posi rear end. That combination should allow this classic to storm the ¼ mile in 15.4 seconds before running out of breath at 132mph. The seller believes this ‘Vette is numbers-matching, although it may require an in-person inspection to confirm this. They say it runs and drives perfectly, raising the possibility that the successful bidder may be able to fly in and drive home behind the wheel of their new toy.

If this Corvette’s exterior presents well, its interior serves us more of the same. It received plenty of attention when the exterior refresh occurred and looks stunning. The charcoal upholstered surfaces appear flawless, with no evidence of wear or other problems. The same is true of the carpet, while the dash and bright trim pieces are equally impressive. The original owner selected a Wonderbar radio, which raises a fascinating piece of trivia revealing how technology has changed the automotive landscape. The Wonderbar cost $144.45, and that doesn’t sound that expensive in isolation. However, when you consider that it was less than $40 cheaper than this car’s engine upgrade, you begin to appreciate how inexpensive electronic components have become. It is also worth mentioning that the radio is the only interior item not functioning. That isn’t the end of the world because many companies restore them at an affordable price.

With a mere 700 cars finding buyers in 1955, the automotive world would have forgiven Chevrolet if it chose to pull the plug on the Corvette program. However, dogged persistence gave the badge a stay of execution, allowing it to remain a staple of the American automotive for nearly seven decades. This Corvette presents beautifully, and when combined with its drivetrain combination, it is easy to understand why it has received thirty-two bids. Those factors mean I won’t be surprised if bidding tops $80,000 before the hammer falls. Whether that is enough to surpass the reserve is unclear, but if a C1 Corvette is on your Wish List and you have the available funds, watching this auction could be worth the effort.