Historic as America’s first production car delivering one unit of horsepower per cubic inch of displacement in 1957, the Rochester fuel-injected Corvette was uprated for 1958 with a factory-rated 290 HP now on tap. Styling updates, derived from a succession of glamorous show cars and concepts from Bill Mitchell’s GM design studios, included new frame-mounted bumpers, hood louvers and chrome rear-deck trim. Those styling cues served for just one model year, and in combination with a fast-growing array of high-performance and competition options, the 1958 Corvette stands as one of the most collectible and desirable first-generation models today. Exceedingly rare as one of just 455 examples finished in Panama Yellow, this top-specification 1958 Chevrolet Corvette is the product of a concours-quality, body-off restoration performed by Vette Dreams in Long Island, New York, with a $150,000 investment. Powered by a matching-numbers, fuel- injected 283/290 HP V-8 engine, this Corvette also features a T10 4-speed manual transmission and 4.11 Positraction rear end as a part of its powertrain. Accented by white body-side coves, a Charcoal interior and a black soft top, the Corvette is equipped with a Wonderbar signal-seeking radio, aluminized off-road exhaust, heater and steel wheels mounting hubcaps and a new set of Coker 6.70x15 whitewall tires. A custom-fit car cover accompanies the Corvette. Most all factory-correct-type components are present, including the spare, jack, jack tools, trunk mat, trunk liner, seatbelts, shifter, shielding, air cleaner, generator, distributor, spark plug shields, hoses, hose clamps, valve covers, fuel- injection unit, fuel-injection fuel filter, guide Y-50 mirror, washboard hood, trunk irons, owner’s manual, sales brochure and T3 headlights. Once part of the J. Newman Collection and with a past owner of 17 years, this legendary Fuelie was the subject of a feature article in the January 2015 issue of Corvette Magazine. Best of all, this restored Corvette has yet to be shown publicly, creating an exciting opportunity for the next owner to exhibit the car and compete for trophies, awards and recognition in top Corvette circles.
