A 1958 Chevrolet Corvette with more than six decades of single-family ownership has emerged as a restoration and hot rod project, drawing strong interest as it heads toward the end of an active online auction. The car, located in Los Angeles, California, has attracted more than 21,000 views and multiple bids, with the high bid reaching $28,000 and several days remaining before the auction closes.
The 1958 model year marked a dramatic visual shift for the Corvette, embracing the chrome-heavy design language of the late 1950s. Dual exposed headlights replaced the earlier single-headlight layout, while chrome trim spread across the trunk and front fascia. The model-year-only washboard hood and distinctive rear bumperettes further set the 1958 Corvette apart within the C1 generation.
Inside, Chevrolet introduced factory-installed seatbelts and a redesigned dashboard. A tachometer was placed directly in front of the 160-mph speedometer, reflecting the Corvette’s growing performance focus. While 1958 Corvettes originally left the factory with 283-cubic-inch V8s, this example received a period-style upgrade in 1963, when a modified 327-cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 was installed at a dealership under the supervision of a family member who worked as a mechanic.
The 327 features period-correct components, including Power Pack cylinder heads, a Winters high-performance intake manifold, and a Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor. Power is sent through a three-speed manual transmission. The engine currently does not turn over, and the car will require a full mechanical recommissioning before returning to the road.
Originally finished in black with a black interior, the Corvette was later refinished in light green with silver coves. The paint now shows significant patina, while the interior displays wear but remains largely complete. After spending approximately 40 years in storage, the car presents a straight body suitable for restoration or customization.
Documentation accompanying the sale includes a 1963 bill of sale, service invoices, spare parts, and a clean Connecticut title. Known issues include interior and exterior wear from long-term storage, cracked glass, deteriorated fiberglass, missing trim pieces, aged tires, and a non-functional radio.
With its long-term family ownership, period engine swap, and distinctive 1958-only styling, the Corvette stands as a tangible piece of American sports car history, now awaiting its next chapter as a hands-on project for a new caretaker. See it here.
