1958 CORVETTE

Corvette styling was jazzed up for 1958.

• There were now four chrome-rimmed headlights with fender length chrome strips running between each pair of lights
• As if that weren't enough glitter, fake louvers were placed on the hood.
• The grille was similar to the previous year, but had four fewer vertical bars.
• Three horizontal chrome strips were added to the new cove.
• A couple of vertical chrome bars decorated the trunk.
• They detracted from an otherwise graceful rear-end treatment.
• The wraparound front and rear bumpers were larger.
• The interior changed dramatically.
• The gauges were clustered together in front of the driver, rather than spread across the dash as before.
• A center console and passenger assist (sissy) bar were added.
• Seat belts were made standard equipment.
• They had been a dealer-installed option in 1956 and 1957.
• There were six exterior body colors offered:
  • Charcoal (Black or White soft top)
  • Silver Blue (White or Beige top)
  • Regal Turquoise (Black or White top)
  • Signet Red (Black or White top)
  • Panama Yellow (Black or White top)
  • Snowcrest White (Black, White, or Beige top)

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• The serial number (Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN) was located on a plate on the left front door hinge pillar
• Serial numbers ranged from J58S100001 to J58S109168

  Position	Character	Description
  1	J	Corvette
  2 & 3	58	1958
  4	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
  5 to 10	100001 to 109168	production sequence

• Engine serial number

  1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
  8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
  9 to 10	Carburetion and transmission	CQ = three-speed manual transmission CR = three-speed manual transmission with fuel injection CS = three-speed manual transmission, high lift camshaft, and fuel injection CT = three-speed manual transmission and dual four-barrel carburetors CU = three-speed manual transmission, high-lift camshaft and dual four-barrel carburetors DG = Powerglide automatic transmission DH = Powerglide automatic transmission and fuel injection DJ = Powerglide automatic transmission and dual four-barrel carburetors

• Cars with optional four-speed manual transmissions used the same engine code suffixes as cars with three-speed manual transmissions.
• The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
• The Fisher Body Style Number 58-867 identifies a Corvette.
• The body number is the production serial number of the body.
• The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
• The pebble-grain vinyl upholstery was available in Red, Dark Gray, or Turquoise.
• The paint number indicates the color combination.
• The six 1958 Corvette acrylic lacquer exterior colors were:
  • 500A = Charcoal
  • 502A = Silver Blue
  • 504A = Regal Turquoise
  • 506A = Signet Red
  • 508A = Panama Yellow
  • 510A = Snowcrest White
• The body side cove could be painted Silver or White

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
J800	867	1958 Corvette 2-dr. Roadster 2 passenger	$3591	2781 lb	9168

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES