Page 65 - Experience Magazine Spring 2022

Conceived by automotive design legend Harley Motorama roadshows. Providing substance to
Earl as an American alternative to imports match its style, the 1958 Corvette also delivered
including Jaguar’s XK120, Chevrolet’s Corvette heightened passenger comfort and improved
created a sensation at its New York debut with safety with comprehensively updated interiors
sleek, almost otherworldly styling and radical all- and sturdier new frame-mounted bumpers.
fiberglass body construction. It also demanded a Buyers agreed with the improvements made to the
total rethink of production methods and quality increasingly popular Corvette, with 9,168 built for
control measures, holding production down 1958 — a new record with a remarkable increase
to just 300 examples for the inaugural 1953 of nearly one third over 1957.
model year. Select refinements and streamlined Retaining its original show-car styling with
production brought a 12-fold production increase incredible attention to detail and innumerable
for 1954, but buyer appeal was limited until modern updates for an incredible experience far
Chevrolet’s all-new small-block V8 engine arrived beyond the original designers’ wildest dreams,
in 1955. Now living on borrowed time with this 1958 Pro-Touring-style Corvette is the
just 700 Corvettes built that year, the Corvette handiwork of the artisans at the award-winning
nonetheless survived the competitive onslaught Weaver Customs. It is now powered by a new
from Ford’s strong-selling new Thunderbird, GM crate 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine producing
thanks to its steadfastly sportier character and 495hp, paired to a GM 4L75E 4-speed automatic
believers within GM’s corporate headquarters. transmission. Riding on a new Roadster Shop
A full restyling for 1956 endowed the Corvette chassis, the Corvette features cutting-edge
with a bold and fresh look. New powertrain underpinnings including a C7 front suspension
options built upon the excellent foundation and C7 independent rear setup, plus fully
provided by Chevy’s compact and potent new V8 adjustable RideTech coilovers all around. Race-
engine, the product of chief engineer Ed Cole and derived stopping power is provided by Wilwood
his engineering wizards. Compact, efficient, and disc brakes including 6-piston calipers, huge
highly responsive to hot-rod tuning techniques, 14-inch rotors and stainless steel brake lines.
the Corvette’s 265ci V8 was now offered with a Additional highlights include precise power rack
dual-carburetor option and a hot new mechanical & pinion steering, a GM wiring harness and a
camshaft, courtesy of Corvette chief engineer factory-programmed computer. The Corvette’s
Zora Arkus-Duntov. Having forcefully convinced iconic body remains all original and looks very
GM brass that race-winning performance was contemporary with its two-stage Axalta Jet Black
the gateway to the hearts and minds of the and 72500S Clear paint finish.
fast-growing youth market, Duntov backed up A stunning set of Schott C7 wheels, reminiscent of
his words with tireless action and made the the Corvette’s original ’58 full hubcaps, wrapped
Corvette the terror of SCCA racetracks and Main in Black Diamond whitewalls, bring this custom
Street America. True to plan, GM’s patience and Corvette full circle to its early and iconic roots.
continuing investments brought fast-growing sales
and finally secured the Corvette’s future by 1957. The interior is trimmed in Italian Hyde's leather
and features Dakota Digital gauges, a Vintage Air
While the 1957 Corvette was essentially system and a Custom Autosound stereo head unit
unchanged, with the big news being the with a full KICKER system cranking out the tunes.
availability of RPO 579 Rochester fuel injection,
the 1958 edition marked the end of the Harley Selling with No Reserve at the June 30 – July
Earl GM styling era, with Bill Mitchell named 2, 2022, Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction, it
Earl’s handpicked successor. Styling updates for exemplifies the customizer’s artistry in every
1958 included a new quad-headlamp frontal possible respect.
treatment and one-year-only styling touches – David Neyens
including a louvered hood, and twin chrome For up-to-date information on this vehicle, visit Barrett-Jackson.com
strips to the rear deck lid, consistent with
the styling trends previewed at GM’s popular

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