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Some Assembly Required: 1958 Chevrolet Corvette

The cachet that the phrase “numbers matching” adds to a classic car is undeniable, especially when the car in question is a first-generation Corvette. This 1958 example, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, is for sale here on eBay. The price is $47,000, or best offer. Many thanks to Larry D. for the tip!

Yes, this is, according to the seller, a numbers matching example of one of the most recognizable classics in the world– except for the fuel injection, which appears to have been installed after the car parted ways with GM. The Corvette got an update in 1958, now sporting quad headlights and a big ol’ extra helping of chrome along with the rest of GM’s offerings that year. And unlike some other models, which have been shunned by collectors in favor of designs from 1957 or earlier, on the ‘Vette it worked. The 1958 Corvette is among the most beautiful cars ever created.

Although this one has doubtless seen better days, one might say that it has rounded a corner. The fiberglass body has been placed on a buck and taken down to the bare plastic, and though it’s not quite ready for paint, it is well on its way. The chassis has also been blasted clean, but is a bit further along, having received paint and a ton of new parts. But the best parts may be the parts that will make it go: the 283 cubic inch V8 has been completely rebuilt, along with the fuel injection, producing 250 hp. The horsepower will be sent to the rear wheels via a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed (also rebuilt) and the rear differential (also rebuilt). The car apparently comes with everything needed to put it all back together, including a new interior, as well as spares of several items.

There’s plenty of heavy lifting left to be done here, but the car has certainly arrived at the point where we can start to dream a bit. Given that it’s a numbers-matching car, it probably makes financial sense to paint it in its original colors. Chances are this would have been Charcoal (1,631 cars), Snowcrest White (2,477), or Signet Red (1,399). But, originality be damned, I’m going to cast my vote for Tuxedo Black with white coves, because life’s too short to worry about the money. What would you choose?

Comments

  1. Avatar piston poney

    id put the body back on the frame for transport

    Like 1
  2. Avatar doug

    That price can NOT be serious.

    Like 8
  3. Avatar TBone

    See this engine block? See that pile of parts? Somewhere in there you can find a number that matches this one. Good luck. And I want you to pay me as if this thing was a running project. What in the world….

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Michael Frazier

    That is alot of Cash for a Pile of Parts!

    Like 4
  5. Avatar gbvette62

    Personally I don’t think this car looks bad at all, and the price doesn’t seem of line to me. A finished 58 fuelie is going to be worth twice the asking price, and a lot of the hard work has been done. My biggest concern would what’s missing, and does the seller know where everything for the car is?

    I forwarded a link to the listing to a customer of mine, who’s looking for some 56-62 project cars, to fill in some of the missing years in his collection.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Mark R Smith

    From the NADA guide, average retail is 47k. 250 hp fuel injection adds 25% to that but I assume that only applies if it was original to the car.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Mike C.

      Old Cars Report has a ‘58 in #2 at $59,500 and #1 at $85,000 with fuel Injection adding 40%

      Like 0
  7. Avatar Greg Williams

    For that price..dont care.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Troy

    Its a shell of its former self. Guess this qualifies as an adult jigsaw puzzle

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Ken Tucker

    You’re not able to determine if its numbers matching or not. There are no numbers from the engine pad anywhere on the chassis or body. Chevy Corvettes didnt start doing that until early 60’s.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Patrick S

    This will be a great project for someone but if you are paying for “numbers matching”, what exactly is the seller referring to? The VIN is not stamped anywhere on any of the components, they are only date coded. The General didn’t start stamping the VIN on blocks and castings until the second half of production in 1960 as I recall. So it really isn’t “numbers matching” so much as it could be “correctly date coded “. Maybe I am being picky but I think that it could be better worded by the seller.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar bull

    Asking price is “Looney Tunes” laughable!

    Like 2
  12. Avatar moosie

    I bet the seller will be finding parts for a very long while after the car is in the new owners possession , ’58’s (’59, ’60, ’61 & ’62’s too) are nice cars when done correctly. Personally I’d paint it Black with Silver Coves and do the interior in Black Leather. Good luck on both ends of this transaction.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Michael Frazier

    Probably worth the money if you have the money and time to complete.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar 57Chevy

    All I can say is: NO Comment!!!!! I’d be booted from this site!

    Like 1

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