Corvette Generations:
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 19631964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
1958 Corvette C1: A New Look
"Vette Day" by Roger Hector. Purchasing info is available at RogerHector.com
The 1950s were heady times for American automobile stylists, with bold, sometimes even outrageous designs appearing every year for a given model. Corvette stylists got a break however, with a new design required only once every two years.
The 1958 Corvette was redesigned mostly in the front, with the most distinguishing feature being the four headlights (below). Popular for the era, they were emphasized by a long chrome trim piece (right) that ran the length of the fender.
The new style, credited to Harley Earl, had a more aggressive, almost mean look to it. It was also physically larger, increasing width by 2.3" (to 72.8") and length by 9.2" to 177.2". Also up was the weight, by approximately 100 lbs., with a corresponding performance penalty. Radius rods were added to the rear suspension, which cured some behavioral problems under hard acceleration.
Below: The 1958 grill was similar to the previous five years, except that the number of vertical bars (known as "blades" or "teeth") went from 13 to nine. The two grill areas to the sides may appear to be ducting cool air to the brakes, but were actually blocked off.
The Corvette office area got an upgrade, and not a moment too soon. All the instruments (except the clock) were placed in front of the driver, allowing him/her to use them while still paying attention to the important business: driving. Most prominent was the all-important 6,000 RPM* tachometer. The refined layout drew rave reviews from buyers. The center console housed the clock, heater controls and optional radio.
*270 hp, 290 hp engine tachometers read to 8,000 RPM.
1958 Corvette Options, Prices
| RPO | Description | Production | Price |
| 101 | Heater | 8,014 (87.41%) | $95.85 |
| 102 | AM Radio, Signal Seeking | 6,142 (66.99%) | $144.45 |
| 107 | Parking Brake Alarm | 2,883 (31.45%) | $5.40 |
| 108 | Courtesy Light | 4,600 (50.17%) | $6.50 |
| 109 | Windshield Washers | 3,384 (36.91%) | $16.15 |
| 276 | Wheels, 15x5.5 (5) | 404 (4.41%) | n/a |
| 290 | Whitewall Tires, 6.70x15 | 7,428 (81.02%) | $31.55 |
| 313 | Powerglide Automatic Transmission | 2,057 (22.44%) | $188.30 |
| 419 | Auxiliary Hardtop | 5,607 (61.16%) | $215.20 |
| 426 | Power Windows | 649 (7.08%) | $59.20 |
| 440 | Two-Tone Paint Combinatio | 3,422 (37.33%) | $16.15 |
| 469 | 283 cu. in. 245 hp Engine two 4 bbl. carburetors | 2,436 (26.57%) | $150.65 |
| 469C | 283 cu. in. 270 hp Engine two 4 bbl. carburetors | 978 (10.67%) | $182.95 |
| 473 | Power Operated Folding Top | 1,090 (11.89%) | $139.90 |
| 579 | 283 cu. in. 250 hp fuel injected Engine | 504 (5.50%) | $484.20 |
| 579D | 283 cu. in. 290 hp fuel injected Engine | 1,007 (10.98%) | $484.20 |
| 677 | Positraction Rear Axle, 3.70:1 | 1,123 (12.25%) | $48.45 |
| 678 | Positraction Rear Axle, 4.11:1 | 2,518 (27.47%) | $48.45 |
| 679 | Positraction Rear Axle, 4.56:1 | 370 (4.04%) | $48.45 |
| 684 | Heavy Duty Brakes and Suspension | 144 (1.57%) | $780.10 |
| 685 | 4-Speed Manual Transmission | 3,764 (41.06%) | $215.20 |
|
Total Production:
9,168
Notes: Base Corvette with 283 cu. in. 230 hp engine and three speed manual transmission: $3,591.00 |
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Colors
| Code | Exterior | Quantity | Interior | Soft Top | Wheels |
| Charcoal | 1,631 (17.79%) | Beige / Charcoal / Red | Black / White | Silver | |
| Snowcrest White | 2,477 (27.02%) | Beige / Charcoal / Red | Black / White / Beige | Silver | |
| Silver Blue | 2,006 (21.88%) | Beige / Charcoal | Beige / White | Silver | |
| Regal Turquoise | 510 (5.56%) | Charcoal | Black / White | Silver | |
| Panama Yellow | 455 (4.96%) | Charcoal | Black / White | Silver | |
| Signet Red | 1,399 (15.26%) | Charcoal / Red | Black / White | Silver | |
| Tuxedo Black | 493 (5.38%) | Charcoal / Red | Black / White | Silver | |
| Inca Silver | 193 (2.11%) | Charcoal / Red | Black / White | Silver | |
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