C1 - 1953-1962
C2 - 1963-1967
C3 - 1968-19821958 Corvette
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The 1958 model year saw a newly designed front end with quad headlamps and emphasized by chrome trim that ran the length of the top of the fender. Harley Early is credited with the new styling. The 1958 Corvette was physically larger with a width of 72.8-inches and a new length of 177.2-inches which wound up adding about 100 pounds to the car. The hood saw non-functional louvers and the trunk got two large chrome spear; both items were unique to the 1958 Corvette. The grille retained the "shark teeth" vertical bars but their number was reduced to 9 from 13.
The interior was updated somewhat with a new "grab bar" for the passenger. Touted as an "Assist Bar" for the passenger but was often referred to as a "sissy bar" by owners.
All of the instruments were now moved in front of the driver, a big plus as driver's did not have to take their eyes off the road to read them. The tachometer was centrally located just below the new 160 mph speedometer. Two tachometers were used depending on the engine choice; the 270-hp and 290-hp 283 engines got a 0-8000 range tachometer and all others were relegated to a 0-6000 range tachometer.
The 1958 model year was the last full year for staggered rocker arm
cover mounting bolts.
The generator moved from the driver side of the car to the passenger side for 1958.
When no radio and/or heater were ordered the locations were blocked
off.
Heater but no radio.
1958 total Corvettes built - 9,168
A 283-cid, 230hp engine, manual 3-speed transmission, vinyl interior trim, and a soft top were included in the base price of $3,591.00.
| Corvettes Engines | 9,168 | Percentage |
| RPO 469 - 245-hp engine | 2,436 | 26.57 |
| RPO 469C - 270-hp engine | 978 | 10.67 |
| RPO 579 - 250-hp engine | 504 | 05.50 |
| RPO 579D - 290-hp engine | 1,007 | 10.98 |
| base 230-hp engine | 4,243 | 46.28 |
| Serial Numbers | |
| J58S001001 - J58S010168 |
Engine Identification
| Position | Character(s) | Description |
| 1 | V or T | Flint, MI. or Tonawanda, N.Y. engine assembly plant |
| 2 to 5 | 1025 | Engine assembly date (month/day) |
| 6 and 7 | Size/HP/Fuel Delivery System/Transmission | CT - 283-cid 245-hp, manual transmission, 2 x 4-bbl carburetor DJ - 283-cid 245-hp, automatic transmission, 2 x 4-bbl carburetor CU - 283-cid 270-hp, manual transmission, 2 x 4-bbl carburetor, high lift camshaft CS - 283-cid 290-hp, manual transmission, F.I. high lift camshaft |
| F.I. | Fuel Injection | |
Engine Specifications - 283 engines
| Base 283 | RPO 469 245hp | RPO 469C 270hp | RPO 579 250hp | RPO 579D 290hp | |
| Bore (in inches) | 3.875 | 3.875 | 3.875 | 3.875 | 3.875 |
| Stroke (in inches) | 3.000 | 3.000 | 3.000 | 3.000 | 3.000 |
| Cubic Inches | 283 | 283 | 283 | 283 | 283 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 | 9.5:1 | 9.5:1 | 10.5:1 | 10.5:1 |
| Horsepower @ RPM | 230 @ 4800 | 245 @ 5000 | 270 @ 6000 | 250 @ 5000 | 290 @ 6200 |
| Torque lb-ft @ RPM | 300 @ 3000 | 300 @ 3800 | 285 @ 4500 | 305 @ 3800 | 290 @ 4400 |
| Fuel | 4-bbl 2669S #3746384 |
2 x 4-bbl 2626S #3744002 front 2627S #3744004 rear |
2 x 4-bbl 2613S #3741089 front 2614S #3741090 rear |
F.I. w/Powerglide 7014800 7014900 7017200 late |
F.I. 7014800R early 7014900R 7017200 late |
Like the 1957 model year, the Flint engine plant stamped the assembly date of the engine as month/day instead of the model year. Engines built September through December of 1957 have a 4-digit date while those built January through June/July have a 3-digit date.
Regular Production Options
| RPO | Description | Cost | Qty | Percentage |
| 2394 | Base Corvette Convertible | $3,591.00 | 6,339 | 100.0 |
| 101 | Heater | $95.85 | 8,014 | 87.4 |
| 102 | AM Radio, Signal Seeking | $144.45 | 6,142 | 67.0 |
| 107 | Parking Brake Alarm | $5.40 | 2,883 | 31.5 |
| 108 | Courtesy Lights | $6.50 | 4,600 | 50.2 |
| 109 | Windshield Washers | $16.15 | 3,387 | 36.9 |
| 276 | 15 x 5.5 Wheels | $0.00 | 404 | 4.4 |
| 290 | 6.70 x 15 Whitewall Tires * | $31.55 | 7,428 | 81.0 |
| 303 | 3-speed Manual Transmission | $000.00 | 518 | 8.2 |
| 313 | Powerglide Automatic Transmission | $188.30 | 2,057 | 22.4 |
| 419 | Auxiliary Hardtop | $215.20 | 5,607 | 61.2 |
| 426 | Power Windows | $59.20 | 649 | 7.1 |
| 440 | Two-Tone Paint | $16.15 | 3,422 | 37.3 |
| 469 | 245-hp, 2 x 4-bbl | $150.65 | 2,436 | 26.6 |
| 469C | 270-hp, 2 x 4-bbl | $182.95 | 978 | 10.7 |
| 473 | Power Operated Folding Top | $139.90 | 1,090 | 11.9 |
| 579 | 250-hp, F.I. | $484.20 | 504 | 5.5 |
| 579D | 290-hp, F.I. | $484.20 | 1,007 | 11.0 |
| 677 | 3.70:1 Positraction | $48.45 | 1,123 | 12.3 |
| 678 | 4.11:1 Positraction | $48.45 | 2,518 | 27.5 |
| 679 | 4.56:1 Positraction | $48.45 | 370 | 4.0 |
| 684 | Racing Suspension | $780.10 | 144 | 1.6 |
| 685 | 4-speed Manual Transmission | $215.20 | 3,764 | 41.0 |
* Images may be representation of the option
> Tachometer redline→
1958 Exterior/Interior Colors
| RPO | Color | Soft Top Color | Interior Color | Total | |
| Production | Percentage | ||||
| xxx | Inca Silver | Black - White | Charcoal - Red | 193 | 2.1 |
| 190 | Panama Yellow | Black - White | Charcoal | 455 | 5.0 |
| 199 | Black | Black - White | Beige - Red | 493 | 5.4 |
| 252 | Regal Turquoise | Black - White | Charcoal | 510 | 5.6 |
| 409 | Snowcrest White | Beige - Black - White | Blue-Gray - Charcoal - Red | 2,477 | 27.0 |
| 729 | Charcoal | Black - White | Blue-Gray Charcoal - Red | 1,631 | 18.7 |
| 756 | Signet Red | Beige - White | Charcoal - Red | 1,399 | 15.3 |
| 757 | Silver Blue | Beige - White | Blue-Gray - Charcoal | 2,006 | 21.9 |
1958 OEM Supplier Paint Colors
| Color | Valspar Code | PPG Code | DuPont Code |
| xxx - Inca Silver | S353 | 31425 | 2436 |
| 190 - Panama Yellow | Y710L | 80986 | 2705 |
| 199 - Tuxedo Black | K090 | 9300 | 99 |
| 252 - Regal Turquoise | G1084 | 11836 | 2702 |
| 409 - Snowcrest White | W962 | 8160 | 2697 |
| 729 - Charcoal | N813 | 31742 | 2703 |
| 756 - Signet Red | R1290L | 70826 | 3704 |
| 757 - Silver Blue | L1851 | 11755 | 2696 |
Mechanical Specifications
| Wheelbase | 102.0 inches |
| Track Front/Rear (inches) | 57.0 / 58.8 |
| Overall Length | 177.2 |
| Width | 72.8 inches |
| Height | 52.0 inches (folding top) 51.9 inches (hard top) |
| Curb Weight | 2,926 pounds - manual transmission 3,034 pounds - Powerglide transmission |
| Coolant Capacity | 17.00 quarts with heater/16.00 quarts without |
| Fuel Capacity | 16.4 gallons |
| Oil Capacity | 5.0 quarts |
GM Heritage PDF file of specifications/options/etc.
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© C1-C3 CorvetteWorld
