62-Years-Family-Owned 327-Powered 1958 Corvette 3-Speed Project

Description

In 1958, the Corvette received a dramatic restyling, showcasing the late 1950s obsession with chrome. The previous single-headlight arrangement was replaced with dual exposed headlights set above chrome-trimmed grilles. Chrome accents also stretched across the trunk, while the distinctive “washboard” hood and unique rear bumperettes became signature elements found only on this model year.

Inside, the updated cabin debuted factory-installed seatbelts and a bold new dashboard design. A tachometer was positioned directly in front of the 160-mph speedometer, giving drivers a clear, immediate view of both engine speed and the road ahead. And while factory 1958 Corvettes got 283 V8s, 1960s hot rodders often swapped in later 327s that gave this 3,000-pound sports car serious performance.

The seller states that his family has owned this particular Corvette since 1963, when a modified 327ci V8 was installed at a Chevrolet dealership with his mechanic uncle supervising the project. The original black paint gave way to a light green repaint that is now showing patina, and the interior shows wear but is said to be mostly complete. Finally out of storage after 40 years, this C1’s straight body makes it an excellent restoration or hot rod project.

This '58 Vette is now offered in Los Angeles, California with a 1963 bill of sale and service invoices, some spare parts, and a clean Connecticut title in the seller's name.

Highlights

• Project ’58 Corvette

• 3782870-casting 327ci Chevrolet V8 installed in 1963

• 3748770 small-chamber Power Pack cylinder heads

• 3794129 Winters high-performance intake manifold for 327/340 Corvette V8

• 3721SB 575-cfm Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetor with separate carb tag

• 3-speed manual transmission

• Originally delivered in black with a black interior

• Refinished in light green with silver coves, showing patina

• Black folding top

Factory Equipment

• 15” wheels with knockoff-style wheel covers

• Four-wheel drum brakes

• Bucket seats

• 160-mph speedometer, oil pressure, coolant temperature, voltage, and fuel level gauges

• Competition style steering wheel

• Dashboard-mounted rearview mirror

• The chassis number (J58S108345) decodes as:

  • J – Corvette

  • 58 – 1958 model year

  • S – St. Louis, Missouri assembly plant

  • 108345 – Sequential production number

Modifications

• 9,000 rpm tachometer gauge face

Servicing & Documentation

• Fall 2025: assessed parts that go with car, cleaned up wiring, vacuumed

• 1963 bill of sale and service invoices included

Known Imperfections

• Engine does not turn over

• Interior and exterior wear commensurate with 40 years of storage

• Crack in windshield

• Flaking fiberglass on front passenger side

• Paint shows flaking, scratches, and patina

• Pitting on brightwork, rust on chrome

• Missing trunk lock and door trim on both sides

• Taillight cracked

• Tires and soft top need replaced

• Interior door panels need reinstalled and seats need reupholstered

• Radio missing

• Will need complete mechanical service to be roadworthy

Ownership History

This 1958 Chevrolet Corvette was purchased in 1963 and has been kept within the same family since.

Included Items

• Replacement set of keys

• Sale paperwork from 1963

• Maintenance records

• Spare tire and jack

• Spare parts including carburetor, generator, 2 tires, interior door handles, and windshield washer pump and canister

• Items that need reinstalling, such as the door panels

Additional Information

The seller states, “This is my parents’ car, they’ve owned it since March of 1963 and it has been stored for 40 years. It shows 5,000 miles, documented with a bill of sale, and the car has been in my family since I was born.

“I have been shooting videos of my journey with this car, as I had to move it from Connecticut to California so I could oversee the work being done. See attached videos for more info.”