Although the first series of cars built from 1953 to 1955 introduced the Corvette to America, it was the second series, which made its debut in 1956, that truly earned the title of “America’s Sports Car.” The clean, good looks of Harley Earl’s new design struck a chord with the American public, and it quickly outsold the older style by a margin of three to one. In addition, Zora Arkus-Duntov and his team of engineers had dramatically altered the car’s personality through improved handling and a growing range of powerful V-8 engines.

While the 1958 Corvette remained virtually the same underneath as it was in 1957, the styling was all-new. It included the newly introduced and wildly popular quad headlights, a “washboard” hood with decorative simulated cooling louvers, and a rear deck lid adorned with a pair of chrome trim “tusks,” all following an industry trend that demanded more flamboyant decoration. Performance continued to be emphasized as the high-revving 283-cubic-inch engine ensured the Corvette was highly competitive on both the street and the track, with quarter-mile times in the 15-second range.

Wearing a charming older restoration, this 1958 Chevrolet Corvette is being offered for the first time in over two decades. Finished in a period shade of silver-blue over silver coves with a blue-gray interior, the car rides on 15-inch silver-blue painted steel wheels shod in Coker Classic wide whitewall tires. Under the hood is a 283-cubic-inch V-8 fed by a single four-barrel carburetor and mated to an optional two-speed automatic transmission. Accompanying the sale are service records, shop and service manuals, an owner’s manual, and an assortment of C1 Corvette repair guides.

A model as usable as it is historically significant, this delightful C1 Corvette would be equally at home cruising the boulevard as it would serving as the cornerstone to any collection of fine American muscle.