![[VIDEO] Why the 1958 Corvette Was So Important to the Future of the Model](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2025/01/011825_3.jpg)
Rick DeBruhl has another chapter ready for us in his YouTube series called Automotive Evolution. Rick is back a the Martin Automotive Museum in Glendale, Arizona and he turns his attention to a 1958 Corvette and explains why the model was so important to Chevrolet at the time.
We all know the 1958 Corvette as being the “one with all the chrome,” but it was more than that. The 1958 saw a number of changes from the 1957 with perhaps the biggest change being the move to quad headlights and a new grille design that looked more aggressive with its nine teeth vs the thirteen that made up the previous year. Of course, there was plenty of chrome, as twin spears were featured on both the front of the car, running from the headlights to the base of the windshield, and on the rear of the car. The hood saw a one-year change with the addition of fake hood louvers, and the 1958 Corvette was larger than its predecessor as well, stretching 9 inches longer, almost 2.5 inches wider, and it weighed in at over 3,000 pounds.
Other changes included five different engine configurations all featuring the 283 ci small-block with the base engine producing 230 horsepower all the way up the fuel injected 290 hp V8. The standard three-speed manual transmission could also be upgraded to a four-speed manual or an automatic Powerglide. Inside the car, there was a redesigned driver-centric dash layout which consolidated the gauges for easier viewing, and factory seat belts were now included for enhanced safety.
![[VIDEO] Why the 1958 Corvette Was So Important to the Future of the Model](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2025/01/011825_4.jpg)
Perhaps most important according to DeBruhl is the fact that the 1958 Corvette was the first model to generate a profit for General Motors. The two factors that helped make that happen included a price increase with the car now starting at $3600, up from $3100, and the sales volume increased to over 9100 units, a 50% increase in sales vs the 1957 model.
Our own opinion is that the 1958 Corvette is one of the prettiest Corvettes to ever been produced, and it’s always been a favorite of collectors due to all the unique bling on the car. What’s your thoughts on the 1958 Corvette? Let us know in the comments below.
From RickDeBruhl via YouTube:
The 1958 Corvette did something no other Corvette had ever done. We’ll take a closer look the difference it made in our Automotive Evolution.
Source:
Rick DeBruhl / YouTube
Related:
[STOLEN] Police Looking for Help in Locating a Stolen 1958 Corvette
Corvettes for Sale: 1958 Corvette Stored for 30 Years is Now Offered on Craigslist
[VIDEO] Lost & Found: The Hunt is Over for Dad’s 1958 Corvette
Subscribe Now:
The other significant change was GM finally improved the body fit of the doors, hood, trunk, and top lid.
Some 57s were so bad it takes a lot of work to fix, and sometimes you can’t.
Wow this brings back great memories. My dad actually owned a silver blue 58 like was quickly shown in the video. He owned it from before I was born until I was 7. My dad and his 58 Corvette made me a life long Corvette fanatic from the time I was 4 years old.
The Middle Class was growing, and more people had some extra money in their pockets for luxuries.
I don’t know where the extra length and width came from.
Comments are closed.