A 1958 Chevrolet Corvette that spent more than three decades sitting in a California backyard has surfaced on Facebook Marketplace with a $33,999 asking price—and the listing has stirred up plenty of debate among enthusiasts.
The seller describes the yellow convertible as a “find of a lifetime,” noting that the car hasn’t changed hands in 45 years and shows 42,325 miles. The Corvette, equipped with a black interior and soft top, is said to have a “good” chassis and a non-matching engine and transmission. According to the ad, the car sat dormant for 35 years before being pulled from its resting place. The seller insists he’s “not looking for an argument,” adding that he plans to get the car running by spring if it doesn’t sell within two weeks.
But the photos—and the comments—tell a more complicated story.
Several readers on Barn Finds, where we spotted this project, immediately questioned the car’s condition. “Looks like everything on it needs to be replaced or repaired,” one commenter wrote, pointing to the open ports and exposed components under the hood. Another joked that the neighbors were probably relieved to see the Corvette finally leave the yard.
Others took a more analytical approach. One reader estimated that any buyer would likely be purchasing the car for its body and interior alone, given the non-matching drivetrain. His math: $20,000–$25,000 for the car as it sits, another $30,000 for paint and cosmetics, and roughly $70,000 for a modern chassis, drivetrain, brakes, and suspension. The end result might be worth around $200,000—but hardly a windfall after such an investment.
The seller’s reassurance that the chassis “isn’t rusty for how it was stored” raised eyebrows as well. One commenter called it “a huge red flag,” warning that such phrasing often signals hedging rather than confidence. Another noted that if the seller wants $34,000, the car should be photographed on a lift with detailed frame shots—not sitting in the weeds.
Still, not everyone dismissed the Corvette outright. A few readers pointed out that its Panama Yellow paint—though faded—is a rare and desirable color. Others said the car could make an ideal resto mod candidate, free from the pressure of preserving matching numbers originality.
But the harshest critics didn’t hold back. “The easiest way to get $100k for this car is to invest $200k,” one commenter wrote. Another simply called it “a pile of scrap.”
Whether the Corvette finds a buyer at its current price remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: after 35 years hidden away, this ’58 has reentered the world with no shortage of opinions following close behind.
Source:
Facebook Marketplace via BarnFinds.com
Related:
Corvettes for Sale: Two-Owner 1972 Corvette LT1 Convertible Offered on eBay
Corvettes for Sale: This Cheaply Priced Customized 1963 Corvette Split Window Has a Secret Hiding Under that Body
Corvettes for Sale: 68K-Mile 1986 Corvette Offered for $4,943 by a Dealer on Craigslist
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As P.T. Barnum allegedly once said…
My uncle, the car salesman, had the motto “There is an Ass for Every Seat.”
Laying out in the yard is not “stored”.
Massive neglect never makes a better car.
Recently, a very similar 1959, that sat for at least 40 years, sold for $4000.00.
Ask me how i know.
I like that ‘64 Pontiac Grand Prix that was next to it. That’s way too much money for that Corvette for what’s needed.
I Googled “Money Pit” and this car came up.
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