1958 CORVETTE

Corvette styling was jazzed up for 1958.

• There were now four chrome-rimmed headlights with fender length chrome strips running between each pair of lights
• As if that weren't enough glitter, fake louvers were placed on the hood.
• The grille was similar to the previous year, but had four fewer vertical bars.
• Three horizontal chrome strips were added to the new cove.
• A couple of vertical chrome bars decorated the trunk.
• They detracted from an otherwise graceful rear-end treatment.
• The wraparound front and rear bumpers were larger.
• The interior changed dramatically.
• The gauges were clustered together in front of the driver, rather than spread across the dash as before.
• A center console and passenger assist (sissy) bar were added.
• Seat belts were made standard equipment.
• They had been a dealer-installed option in 1956 and 1957.
• There were six exterior body colors offered:
  • Charcoal (Black or White soft top)
  • Silver Blue (White or Beige top)
  • Regal Turquoise (Black or White top)
  • Signet Red (Black or White top)
  • Panama Yellow (Black or White top)
  • Snowcrest White (Black, White, or Beige top)

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• The serial number (Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN) was located on a plate on the left front door hinge pillar
• Serial numbers ranged from J58S100001 to J58S109168

  Position	Character	Description
  1	J	Corvette
  2 & 3	58	1958
  4	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
  5 to 10	100001 to 109168	production sequence

• Engine serial number

  1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
  8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
  9 to 10	Carburetion and transmission	CQ = three-speed manual transmission CR = three-speed manual transmission with fuel injection CS = three-speed manual transmission, high lift camshaft, and fuel injection CT = three-speed manual transmission and dual four-barrel carburetors CU = three-speed manual transmission, high-lift camshaft and dual four-barrel carburetors DG = Powerglide automatic transmission DH = Powerglide automatic transmission and fuel injection DJ = Powerglide automatic transmission and dual four-barrel carburetors

• Cars with optional four-speed manual transmissions used the same engine code suffixes as cars with three-speed manual transmissions.
• The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
• The Fisher Body Style Number 58-867 identifies a Corvette.
• The body number is the production serial number of the body.
• The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
• The pebble-grain vinyl upholstery was available in Red, Dark Gray, or Turquoise.
• The paint number indicates the color combination.
• The six 1958 Corvette acrylic lacquer exterior colors were:
  • 500A = Charcoal
  • 502A = Silver Blue
  • 504A = Regal Turquoise
  • 506A = Signet Red
  • 508A = Panama Yellow
  • 510A = Snowcrest White
• The body side cove could be painted Silver or White

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
J800	867	1958 Corvette 2-dr. Roadster 2 passenger	$3591	2781 lb	9168

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	283 cid
Bore & Stroke	3.87 x 3.00
Compression ratio	9.50:1				10.5:1
Brake horsepower	220 @ 4800 rpm	245	250	270	290
Main bearing	five
Carburetor	Carter four-barrel Type WCFB	four-barrel carb	Two four-barrel carbs	two four-barrel carbs	Rochester fuel injection

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission	Optional Manual Transmission	Automatic Transmission
Close-ratio three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Two-speed Powerglide transmission (optional)

CHASSIS

Wheelbase	102 inches (2.591 m)
Overall length	177.2 inches (4.501 m)
Overall width	72.8 inches (1.849 m)
Overall height	51.6 inches (1.318 m)
Front tread	57 inches (1.448 m)
Rear tread	59 inches (1.499 m)
Frame	Welded steel box-section X-braced type
Ground Clearance	6 inches (15 cm)
Wheels	15" steel bolt-on wheels
Tires	6.70x15
Front suspension	Independent; unequal-length A-arms; unequal-length wishbones; coil springs; anti-roll bar; tubular shocks
Rear suspension	Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, anti-roll bar, tubular shock absorbers
Steering	Saginaw worm-and-ball, 17:1 ratio, 3.7 turns to lock; 38.5 foot turning circle
Rear axle type	Hypoid semi-floating
Brakes	Four-wheel hydraulic, internal-expanding, 11-inch diameter drums, 157 square inches effective lining area (121 square inches with optional sintered metallic linings)
Standard 3-speed axle ratio	3.70:1
Powerglide 2-speed axle ratio	3.55:1
Optional axle ratios	4:11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPO 101	Heater	$96.85
RPO 102	Signal-seeking AM radio	$144.45
RPO 107	Parking brake alarm	$5.40
RPO 108	Courtesy lights	$6.50
RPO 109	Windshield washer	$16.15
RPO 276	Five 15 x 5.5-inch wheels	N/C
RPO 290	6.70 x 15 White sidewall tires	$31.55
RPO 313	Powerglide automatic transmission	$188.30
RPO 419	Auxiliary hardtop	$215.20
RPO 426	Electric power windows	$59.20
RPO 440	Optional cove color	$16.15
RPO 469A	283-cid 245-hp dual four-barrel carburetor V-8 engine	$150.65
RPO 469C	283-cid 270-hp dual four-barrel carburetor V-8 engine	$182.95
RPO 579	V-8 283-cid 250-hp fuel-injection engine	$484.20
RPO 579D	V-8 283-cid 290-hp fuel-injection engine	$484.20
RPO 473	Power-operated folding top mechanism	$139.90
RPO 677	Positraction axle with 3.70:1 ratio	$48.45
RPO 678	Positraction axle with 4.11:1 ratio	$48.45
RPO 679	Positraction axle with 4.56:1 ratio	$45
RPO 684	Heavy-duty racing suspension	$780.10
RPO 685	Four-speed manual transmission	$215.20

HISTORICAL NOTES

LITERATURE & LINKS