'58 Dash : From this angle,...
'58 Dash: From this angle, you not only see the gauge cluster that moved the tach from the middle of the dash to below the speedometer; you also see how the convex gauge lenses reflected a lot of glare. That's why flat lenses replaced them for 1959. Mileage on the odometer is since the car's frame-off restoration.
Even though Ed's only put a few more miles on the '58 since he's owned it, he's got plenty to say about its performance-especially with the fully calibrated RPO 579D fuel-injected, 290hp 283 running full on. As Ed says, "It's fast as hell! It's a pleasure to drive it. I've never driven a car that gets more looks. I haven't put a lot of miles on it because it's in such great shape. Turning is tough [thanks to its non-power steering], but flat-out speed is really fun!"
DATA FILE: 1958 CORVETTE Owned by Ed Hoyt, Fountain Hills, Arizona; The 13th '58 Corvette built, assembled on first day of '58 model year production in October 1957 at Chevrolet's St. Louis, Missouri, Assembly Plant; VIN: J58S100013
TOTAL 1958 CORVETTE PRODUCTION: 10,261; In Silver Blue/Inca Silver two-tone: 757; With rPO 579D 290hp, fuelinjected 283: 1,007
BODY: Restored production '58 Corvette
CHANGES FOR 1958: New styling forward of windshield with four headlights, nine grille teeth and simulated louvers on hood, longitudinal chrome spears on trunk lid, acrylic lacquer replaced nitrocellulose paint
PAINT: Silver Blue/Inca Silver two-tone (rPO 440)TOP: Restored blue-grey convertible top
CHASSIS: Restored production '58 Corvette
SUSPENSION: (Front) Coil springs with upper/lower A-arms, antiroll bar and hydraulic shock absorbers; (rear) leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers BRAKES: restored original 11-inch-diameter drum-and-shoe brakes all around. Power assist courtesy of driver
STEERING: GM/Saginaw gear recirculating ball, non-power-assisted
WHEELS: 15x5-inch steel, with factory full-wheel Spinner covers
TIRES: Reproduction 6.70-15 whitewalls
ENGINE: Overhead-valve V-8, gen I small-block Chevrolet (RPO 579D)
DISPLACEMENT: 283 ci
COMPRESSION RATIO: 10.5:1
INDUCTION: Rochester mechanical fuel-injection
CAMSHAFT: Flat-tappet with solid lifters
HORSEPOWER: (Chevrolet rating) 290 @ 6,200 rpm
TORQUE: (Chevrolet rating) 290 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
EXHAUST SYSTEM: Reproduction dual-exhaust system with original exhaust manifolds
ENGINE NUMBERS: Block: 3737739; Cylinder heads: 3748440; Fuel injection: Rochester 7014800r; Distributor: 1110914; Generator: 1102059
Finned Detail : The full-on...
Finned Detail: The full-on resto that this '58 Corvette got included the "290" valve cover stickers indicative of a 290hp fuel-injected 283. Finned aluminum valve covers with "Corvette" script were included with all optional '58 Vette engines, not just the fuelies.
Dreamer and his Dream Ride...
Dreamer and his Dream Ride: Ed with the '58 Corvette that's the same color as the one that inspired him so many years ago.
Best-Dressed Fuelie : Before...
Best-Dressed Fuelie: Before Ed found it, this '58 Corvette had been restored and received Top Flight certification when NCRS judged. Note the Rochester tag on the fuel-injection plenum, the Harrison tag on the radiator, the AC marking on the air filter cover (bottom), and the sticker on the fan shroud reminding the owner that his new Vette is finished in new-for-'58 acrylic lacquer.