132500 / 1958 Chevy Corvette Roadster



This incredible Corvette, built at a cost of more than $200,000, combines modern technology and performance into one of the most timeless body styles ever conceived.

It took three years to turn this 1958 Corvette into a curve carving resto-modded street machine. During that process, the car was unbolted from its frame and sodium blasted to remove all factory defects and accrued damage from roughly 50 years of exposure to the elements. Once the body was silky smooth and had a better than factory appearance, it was re gel coated and bolted to a brand new custom fabricated round tube frame. Thanks to the more rigid chassis underneath, panel gaps were exceptionally tight and the body shop was then free to shoot for perfection. A custom Spectrum Color developed turquoise was applied to the car from jam to jam and then traditional white door coves were added resulting in a car that amazes people wherever it goes.

Up front the aggressively styed and beautifully detailed chrome grille, bumpers and bumper bracket have all been restored to very high standards. Four perfect headlights surrounded in new chrome serve as visual pillars of the front end design while a three piece Corvette emblem with correct gold lettering complements a 1958 exclusive louvered hood. At the side of the car, chrome cove trim and Corvette emblems are like new and combine with custom built 18 inch Intro wheels riding 245/45/18 Dunlop radials to give the car a finished look. A custom color matched turquoise vinyl top with a glass window flows into a trunk that features 1958 specific chrome spears. Out back, show quality rear bumpers align to highlight a second gold lettered Corvette emblem at the rear of the car.

A perfect fit in this early Corvettes engine bay, a modern Corvette LT1 Generation II 350 features a cast iron block, aluminum heads and electronic fuel injection that is good for 300 horsepower. The color matched plastic LT1 engine cover looks right at home featuring fourth generation Corvette logos and chrome Corvette lettering. Also featured in the clean engine bay is a Be Cool aluminum radiator complete with an electric cooling fan, a new black brake booster and master cylinder, a color coordinated alternator and AC compressor, new belts and hoses, a billet overflow tank, a chrome hood hinge and billet valve covers with a billet oil cap.

The car is spotless underneath where the Spectrum turquoise body meets a custom fabricated, gloss black SR3 Motorsports frame and is highlighted by silver suspension and axle pieces with stainless hardware. In the middle of those new round bones sits an aesthetically pleasing chrome oil pan and modern 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission that is cooled by a passenger floor mounted transmission cooler. A four wheel independent suspension with upper and lower control arms, coil over shocks, modern power steering and VBP suspension components to keep everything buttoned down and make the curves more fun. True dual exhaust with aluminum tubing runs to stainless Aero Exhaust mufflers which flow into correct bumper housed stainless tips. Stopping is handled by four wheel power disc brakes with drilled and cross vented rotors that are clamped by new calipers fed by braided metal brake lines.

The original seats have fresh foam and new covers that have been custom color matched and embroidered by Kirik. The white dash features color matched inserts and appears as if it lays on the turquoise body with traditional '58 Corvette gauges positioned behind the color matched Grant aluminum steering wheel and controls for the heat and Vintage Air system incorporated into the center stack. An aftermarket Lokar transmission shifter looks natural at the base of the dash and the door panels are absolutely amazing pieces of period styling that feature power windows and original style door handles. The carpets are the correct texture and nap, and are a little darker than the body of the car in order to highlight the seats and dash.

Beautifully built and incredibly functional, this Corvette roadster preserves the timeless design elements of the 1958 Corvette while providing a driving experience that allows you to enjoy a vintage Corvette on modern roads with no compromises. Call now!

Artstrada Magazine PhotobucketBookmark and Share

Comments

Popular