Beschreibung:

1958 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ROADSTER Chassis No. J58S103328 Engine No. F1228CT Silver blue with light blue interior Engine: V-8, 283ci., 245hp at 4,800rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: independent front with rear semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel drum. Left hand drive. America was sadly without a true sports car until Chevrolet introduced the Corvette at the 1953 Motorama show and started production that year. Despite the early lackluster sales, the Corvette was met with overwhelming popularity from the American masses. The early Corvettes were lower and sportier than any other car on the market, but they still lacked the innovative technology necessary to bust open the anxious American market. Beginning in 1955, a limited amount of Corvettes were offered with a V-8 engine which vastly improved their performance, however, the styling badly needed updating. Ford was producing the Thunderbird and it both out-styled and out-performed the Corvette. In order for Chevy to combat the T-bird and beat Ford in the sales wars, they needed to transform the Corvette into a serious sports car. In 1956, Chevy designer, Harley Earl, made a full-scale clay model of the new Corvette and it was immediately approved by GM management. It was the car of the American dream and its shape and styling soon became synonymous with the American sports car. The distinctive 'coves' were taken from a 1955 Motorama exercise called the 'La Salle II' and became the trademark of the Vette through the fifties. Many greatly needed improvements were made such as a better fitting and optionally motorized convertible top. The rear fenders were brought forward thus exposing the lights. Chevy used real glass windows and even offered a power option. Every bit of this car showed classic beauty, and it was stylistically more creative than its predecessors, yet not as extreme looking as the Corvettes to come. This Corvette was purchased from a Washington State owner in the early 1980s while the current vendor was living on the West Coast. In 1989 the vendor submitted the car to a frame off, nut and bolt restoration at Batista Automotive in Ontario, California, the cost of which totaled in excess of $100,000! During the restoration the owner was obligated to move to Japan and was sadly separated from the Corvette until its completion in 1990. In September of that year, the completely restored Corvette was entered into the Southern California West Coast National Car Show where it won a First in Class award. The Corvette was then shipped to Japan to its awaiting owner. While in Japan, the car is reported to have barely been driven and instead spent the bulk of its time in storage with the Japanese firm, Mulholland Auto. In 1993 the car was featured in the Japanese automotive magazine Hyper where it received a multi-page photo spread and article. In 1995 the owner moved back to the United States where he took up residence on the East Coast, and this time the prized Corvette accompanied him on his move. Since returning to the United States, the car is reported to have been kept in excellent condition and ran well during a recent inspection. The costly frame-off restoration has held up very well. Specifically, the underbody, trunk, engine bay and motor all appear quite clean and show little sign of usage. We are told that the Corvette has traveled less than 200 miles since its restoration almost ten years ago! Truly an American classic, the Corvette has an enthusiatic following. This Vette is accompanied by a detailed file of receipts and photographs that document the restoration.