1958 - Chevrolet Corvette C1 - Lot 3

1958 - Chevrolet Corvette C1 The quintessential American sports car, a shining symbol of the American Way of Life French registration Chassis n°J58S107047 - The most popular 4-light version of this first-generation Corvette - Attractive roadster body and V8 engine with manual gearbox - Vintage two-tone Panama Yellow and Snowcrest White with black interior - Partially restored car with 83,415 miles on the clock - Disc brakes, Edelbrock carburetor and intake manifold, electronic ignition - Very good presentation and running condition, expert report available The file and additional photos of each vehicle are available at the following drive link (after requesting access): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RwKXJg_gayUizKp59Gu10G4uN9FCSzRt The Corvette made its first appearance in 1953 at the Motorama show organized by General Motors. Designed by Bob McLean under the direction of Harley Earl, then head of design at GM, it immediately stood out for its innovative technical choices, notably the use of a fiberglass body combined with resin. It also featured a new box-section chassis and was initially equipped with a six-cylinder engine from the Chevrolet range. Thus was born the Corvette C1, designed to compete with the European roadsters, particularly British ones, which dominated the market at the time. However, this first model soon suffered from a major limitation: its "Blue Flame" engine lacked power and failed to meet the expectations of sports car enthusiasts. To rectify this shortcoming and boost sales, Chevrolet introduced a new V8 engine in 1955, which would become an emblematic architecture of the range. Combined with either a two-speed automatic or a three-speed manual gearbox, this 4.3-liter V8 developed around 195 horsepower. From 1956 onwards, the range progressed further, with several power levels ranging from 210 to 240 hp, significantly enhancing the model's performance and commercial appeal. A four-speed manual gearbox was also introduced in 1957. In 1962, the 283 ci engine was replaced by a 327 ci block, marking a further technical evolution. But the Corvette's reputation wasn't based solely on its engines: the C1 also won admirers with its striking design, influenced by the world of aeronautics, its futuristic dashboard and its wrap-around panoramic windshield. The model underwent significant aesthetic changes, notably in 1958 with the introduction of four headlamps and a more aggressive front end. In 1961, the rear end was redesigned, heralding the lines of the next generation. Production of the C1 ended in 1963, giving way to the C2 Corvette, a completely redesigned model that opened a new chapter in the model's history.