1958 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

A lot of Corvette guys get hung up on pedigrees and specifications, but technology's a wonderful thing and this skillfully updated 1958 Chevrolet Corvette uses modern features to deliver a vastly improved driving experience. How does an overdrive transmission, functional A/C, and a modern suspension, all tucked into a very stock-looking 'Vette grab you? It's the resto-mod most folks would never dare to build.

Look, there's no real shortage of nicely restored, correct 1958 Corvettes around, and even the fans will admit that the driving experience is pretty primitive. And it was with that in mind that this beautiful roadster was conceived and built. At first glance, it's pure Corvette, complete with Roman Red paint and beautiful white side coves. Not a single exterior piece was modified and the fiberglass body was expertly restored, so if you like the look this car delivers in a big way. The unique 1958 features, including the louvered hood and twin chrome strips along the trunk lid, are still in place and thanks to modern paint technology, the shine is deep and rich and should stay that way for years to come if you take care of it. All the chrome and stainless trim, and there's a lot of it on the 1958 Corvettes, was also restored and glitters in a way that only 1950s cars seem to manage. It's obvious that no corners were cut during this build.

There are quite a few modifications to the interior, but it's quite obvious that they were all done with an honest attempt to keep it looking as stock as possible. Under the surface, there's a ton of sound-deadening materials so it's quiet and cool inside this 'Vette's cockpit, something that can't always be said of original cars. This one was factory equipped with power windows, so those are still in place, and the factory 3-spoke steering wheel now lives atop a tilt steering column which was painted to match the body so it blends in. The Classic Air A/C system was discreetly installed under the dash and has a period look and even the original PowerGlide shifter was retained, although it's now linked to twice as many gears. The original gauges were rebuilt and yes, that's a Wonderbar radio in the dash, although all the guts are new and it includes an iPod interface and speakers in the kick panels. Those are leather seat covers that feel luxurious, the carpets are new, the top is new, the weather-stripping is new, and the trunk is outfitted with a correct red rubber mat. Pretty nice, right?

The engine is a rebuilt 1958 283 cubic inch V8 from a Bel Air, so it looks right and is now topped with a pair of 4-barrel carburetors for impressive performance. It's dressed with all the original hardware, including finned valve covers and chrome air cleaner, as well as Chevy Orange paint. There's a big aluminum radiator with electric fans, a modern A/C compressor, and an alternator, along with a new power brake system for the front discs. The front suspension is a Jim Meyer independent setup while a 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission feeds a new ring and pinion in the rear end. The stainless exhaust system is new and sounds great, the shocks give it a buttoned-down feel on the road, and the stock wheels wear hubcaps and 205/75/15 whitewall radials for the right look.

This is an extremely impressive Corvette. No, it's not one that purists will love, but if you've longed for a vintage 'Vette that feels a little more modern, this is the right way to do it. Call today!