First launched in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette fully came of age in the latter years of its first generation, matching its top billing as “America’s sports car” with the introduction of V-8 power in 1955. Like a fine wine, the C1 Corvette only improved with age, enjoying incremental advancements culminating in a hugely successful restyling for 1958.

While the 1958 Corvettes remained virtually the same underneath as in 1957, their 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. Within, the dashboard was redesigned, moving all instruments directly ahead of the driver, and a grab bar was fitted for the passenger to grip during what Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov would have termed “advanced handling maneuvers.”

Chassis 104691 is one of these desirable 1958 models, featuring a striking two-tone color scheme of red with contrasting white coves and a white soft-top over a red vinyl interior. Built at General Motors’ St. Louis, Missouri plant, this example features the most potent drivetrain available for 1958, the 290-horsepower, 283 cubic-inch V-8, with Rochester fuel injection and a solid lifter camshaft, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. The block correctly wears the “CS” engine-number suffix denoting it was factory-equipped with these performance features.

More than 30 invoices dating back to 2007 and numerous photographs document a painstaking previous restoration, which included stripping the body to bare fiberglass before fully refinishing the exterior. The high-quality work has aged well, evident in the still lustrous paint, chrome, and stainless trim.

A model as usable as it is exciting and historically significant, this 1958 “Fuelie” Corvette would be equally suited to regular evening cruise nights as it would serving as the cornerstone of a serious collection of American muscle.