1958 C1 Corvette – Specifications

1958 Corvette

Overview

Specs

VIN/Options

Issues

Gallery

1958 C1 Corvette Main Specs

MODEL:	1958 Chevrolet Corvette
BODY STYLE:	Two-door convertible, front engine, rear wheel drive
MANUFACTURING LOCATION:	St. Louis, Missouri
CONSTRUCTION:	Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, steel frame with steel and chrome structural & chassis components.
VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN):	J58S100001 – J58S109168
VIN PREFIX:	CQ: 283 CUBIC INCH, 230 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CR: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CS: 283 CUBIC INCH, 290 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CT: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CU: 283 CUBIC INCH, 270 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION DG: 283 CUBIC INCH, 230 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DH: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DJ: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER:	3737739, 3756519, 3748770
HEAD NUMBER:	3725306: 265 CUBIC INCH, 210 HP, 225 HP (2-BOLT EXHAUST MANIFOLDS) 3731762: 265 CUBIC INCH, 225 HP, 240 HP (3-BOLT EXHAUST MANIFOLDS)
CARBURETOR NUMBERS:	CARTER 2613S #3741089: 283 CUBIC INCH, 270 HP, FRONT CARBURETOR CARTER 2614S #3741090: 283 CUBIC INCH, 270 HP, REAR CARBURETOR CARTER 2626S #3744002: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HP, FRONT CARBURETOR CARTER 2627S #3744004: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HP, REAR CARBURETOR CARTER 2669S #3746384: 283 CUBIC INCH, 230 HP
FUEL INJECTION NUMBER:	ROCHESTER 7014800: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP ROCHESTER 7014800R: 283 CUBIC INCH, 290 HP, EARLY PRODUCTION ROCHESTER 7014900: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP ROCHESTER 7014900R: 283 CUBIC INCH, 290 HP ROCHESTER 7014960: 283 CUBIC INCH, 290 HP ROCHESTER 7017200: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HP, LATE PRODUCTION
DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER:	1110890: 283 CUBIC INCH, 230 HORSEPOWER 1110891: 283 CUBIC INCH, 245 HORSEPOWER, 270 HORSEPOWER 1110908: 283 CUBIC INCH, 290 HORSEPOWER, EARLY PRODUCTION 1110914: 283 CUBIC INCH, 290 HORSEPOWER 1110915: 283 CUBIC INCH, 250 HORSEPOWER
GENERATOR NUMBER:	1102043: 283 CUBIC INCH, 230 HP, 245 HP, 250 HP, 270 HP 1102059: 283 CUBIC INCH, 290 HORSEPOWER
AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER	AH: 3-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION (3.70:1 RATIO) AE: POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (3.55:1 RATIO) AN: LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (3.70:1 RATIO) AP: LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (4.11:1 RATIO) AQ: LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (4.56:1 RATIO) AS: LSD, HEAVY DUTY SUSPENSION AND BRAKES, (3.70:1 RATIO) AT:LSD, HEAVY DUTY SUSPENSION AND BRAKES, (4.11:1 RATIO) AU:LSD, HEAVY DUTY SUSPENSION AND BRAKES, (4.56:1 RATIO)
PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE:	OCT, 1957: 100486, NOV, 1957: 101443, DEC, 1957: 102511, JAN, 1958:103677, FEB, 1958: 104789, MAR, 1958: 105779, APR, 1958: 106544, MAY, 1958: 107489, JUN, 1958: 108192, JUL, 1958: 108840, AUG, 1958: 109168, MAY, 1958: 107489

 

1958 C1 Corvette Price & Options

CODE	DESCRIPTION	QUANTITY	RETAIL PRICE
867	Base Corvette Convertible	9,168	$3,591.00
101	Heater	8,014	$96.85
102	AM Radio, signal seeking	6,142	$144.45
107	Parking Brake Alarm	2,883	$5.40
108	Courtesy Lights	4,600	$6.50
109	Windshield Washers	3,834	$16.15
276	Wheels, 15 x 5.5 (5)	404	$0.00
290	Whitewall Tires, 6.70 x 15	7,428	$31.55
313	Powerglide Automatic Transmission	2,057	$188.30
419	Auxiliary Hardtop	5,607	$215.20
426	Power Windows	649	$59.20
440	Two-Tone Paint Combination	3,422	$16.15
469	283ci, 245HP Engine (2×4 Carburetors)	2,436	$150.65
469C	283ci, 270HP Engine (2×4 Carburetors)	978	$182.95
473	Power Operated Folding Top	1,090	$139.90
579	283ci, 250HP Engine (Fuel Injection)	504	$484.20
579D	283ci, 290HP Engine (Fuel Injection)	1,007	$484.20
677	Positraction Rear Axle, 4.56:1	1,123	$48.45
678	Positraction Rear Axle, 4.11:1	2,518	$48.45
679	Positraction Rear Axle, 4.56:1	370	$48.45
684	Heavy Duty Racing Suspension	144	$780.10
685	4-Speed Manual Transmission	3,764	$215.20

1958 C1 Corvette Exterior/Interior Color Templates

Color Codes

Exterior	Total	Body Cove (Optional)	Soft Top	Wheels	Interior Colors
Charcoal	1,631	Inca Silver	Black, White	Silver	Charcoal, Blue-Grey, Red
Snowcest White	2,477	Inca Silver	Black, White, Blue-Gray	Silver	Charcoal, Blue-Grey, Red
Silver Blue	2,006	Inca Silver	Black, White	Silver	Charcoal, Blue-Grey
Regal Turquoise	510	Snowcrest White	Black, White	Silver	Charcoal
Panama Yellow	455	Snowcrest White	Black, White	Silver	Charcoal
Signet Red	1,399	Snowcrest White	Black, White	Silver	Charcoal, Red
Tuxedo Black	493	Inca Silver	Black, White	Silver	Charcoal, Red
Inca Silver	193	–	Black, White	Silver	Charcoal, Red

Exterior Color Templates

1958 C1 Corvette Powertrain Specifications

Description	4-barrel Carb	Dual Carb	Dual Carb w. Special Cam	Fuel Injection	Fuel Injection w. Special Cam
	Standard	RPO 469	RPO 469C	RPO 469C	RPO 579D
Type:	90 V	90 V	90 V	90 V	90 V
Number of Cylinders	8	8	8	8	8
Displacement (cid):	283	283	283	283	283
Horsepower (gross @ rpm):	230hp @ 4,800	245hp @ 5,000	270hp @ 6,000	250hp @ 5,000	290hp @ 6,200
Torque (lbs.-ft. @ rpm):	300 @ 3,000	300 @ 3,800	285 @ 4,200	305 @ 3,800	290 @ 4,400
Bore Spacing (C/L to C/L)	4.4 inches	4.4 inches	4.4 inches	4.4 inches	4.4 inches
Bore x stroke (in.):	3.875 x 3.00	3.875 x 3.00	3.875 x 3.00	3.875 x 3.00	3.875 x 3.00
Redline (rpm):	–	–	–	–	–
Compression ratio:	9.5:1	9.5:1	9.5:1	9.5:1	9.5:1
Idle Speed (RPM)	475 in neutral w/3-speed	475 in neutral w/3-speed	475 in neutral w/3-speed	475 in neutral w/3-speed	475 in neutral w/3-speed
Automatic	779	779	779	779	779
Manual	678	678	678	678	678
Firing Order:	18436572	18436572	18436572	18436572	18436572
Cylinder Number System;
Left Bank:	1-3-5-7	1-3-5-7	1-3-5-7	1-3-5-7	1-3-5-7
Right Bank:	2-4-6-8	2-4-6-8	2-4-6-8	2-4-6-8	2-4-6-8
Recommended Fuel:	94-96 Premium Octane	94-96 Premium Octane	94-96 Premium Octane	94-96 Premium Octane	94-96 Premium Octane
EPA – Three-Speed Manual Transmission – Average:	12.9 mpg (Motor Trend)	12.9 mpg (Motor Trend)	–	14.9 mpg (Motor Trend)	13.9 mpg (Motor Trend)

Carburetor Engine Component Specifications

Description	Standard 230hp	RPO 469 245hp	RPO 469C 270hp
Upper Compression Ring:
Material	Cast alloy iron	Cast alloy iron	Cast alloy iron
Width	.184 — .194	.184 — .194	.184 — .194
Thickness	.0775 — .0780	.0775 — .0780	.0775 — .0780
Gap	.010 — .020	.010 — .020	.010 — .020
Ring Clearance Grove	.0012 — .0017	.0012 — .0017	.0012 — .0017
Valve Springs:
Length & Pressure
Valve closed	1.696@ 69 — 79 lb.	1.696@ 69 — 79 lb.	1.696@ 69 — 79 lb.
Valve open	1.306@ 159 — 169 lb.	1.306@ 159 — 169 lb.	1.306@ 159 — 169 lb.
Free length	2.08	2.08	2.08
Damper:
Number of coils	3.874 — 4.12	3.874 — 4.12	3.874 — 4.12
Free length	2.00	2.00	2.00
Tappets:
Type	Hydraulic	Hydraulic	Hydraulic
Material	Steel	Steel	Steel
Carburetor:
Make	Carter	Carter	Carter
Model
front	–	3744002	3744002
rear	–	3744004	3744004
Type	4 barrel, down-draft	4 barrel	4 barrel
Choke	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Camshaft:
Ramp inlet
Opening	.00474, 10° long	.00474, 10° long	.0067, 18° long
Closing	.00670, 15° long	.00670, 15° long	.0067, 18° long
Ramp exhaust
Opening	.00474, 10° long	.00474, 10° long	.0107, 29° long
Closing	.00670, 15° long	.00670, 15° long	.0107, 29° long
Tappet Lift
Inlet	.26581	.26581	.2625
Exhaust	.26581	.26581	.2625
Valve lift
Inlet	0.3987	0.3987	0.39375
Exhaust	0.3987	0.3987	0.39375
Valve lash (normal driving)
Inlet	Zero	Zero	.008 hot
Exhaust	Zero	Zero	.018 hot
Timing Diagram Data:
Inlet
Opens (theoretical)	12° 30′ BTC	12° 30′ BTC	35° BTC
Closes (theoretical)	57° 30′ ABC	57° 30′ ABC	72° ABC
Exhaust
Opens (theoretical)	54° 30′ BBC	54° 30′ BBC	76° BBC
Closes (theoretical)	15° 30′ ATC	15° 30′ ATC	31° ATC
Clutch:
Type	Semi-centrifugal	Semi-centrifugal	Semi-centrifugal
Number of coil springs	9	9	9
Spring pressure (lbs.)	1620 Initial	1620 Initial	1620 Initial
Drive	Lug	Lug	Lug
Lining area (sq. in.)	90.72	90.72	90.72
Rated torque capacity (lb. ft.)	326	326	326
Air Cleaner:
Make and Type	AC oil wetted	AC oil bath	AC oil bath
Capacity	–	1 Pint	1 Pint
Filter Element	Aluminum wire	cactus fiber	cactus fiber
Oil Filter:
Make	AC, Full flow	AC, Full flow	AC, Full flow
Capacity (Quartz)	1-1/2	1-1/2	1-1/2
Dual Exhaust System:
Muffler Type	Diffusion & resonance, reverse flow	Diffusion & resonance, reverse flow	Diffusion & resonance, reverse flow
Body Size	24×4.06	24×4.06	24×4.06
Manifold	Center take down each branch serving two cylinders	Center take down each branch serving two cylinders	Center take down each branch serving two cylinders
Exhaust Pipe Size O.D	2.0	2.0	2.0
Tall Pipe I.D	1.81	1.81	1.81
Suspension	Individual, rubber insulated mountings.	Individual, rubber insulated mountings.	Individual, rubber insulated mountings.
Fuel System:
Fuel Tank	Two stamped pans seam welded	Two stamped pans seam welded	Two stamped pans seam welded
Capacity (gallons)	16.4	16.4	16.4
Mounting	Support by two straps attached to underbody behind seat	Support by two straps attached to underbody behind seat	Support by two straps attached to underbody behind seat
Filler	In body left side, to rear of driver’s door	In body left side, to rear of driver’s door	In body left side, to rear of driver’s door
Cooling System:
Radiator core
Make	Harrison	Harrison	Harrison
Type	Cellular	Cellular	Cellular
Size	.22x.550×2.00	.22x.550×2.00	.22x.550×2.00
Frontal Area (sq. in)	380	380	380
Capacity	16.5 qts. with heater	16.5 qts. with heater	16.5 qts. with heater

 

Fuelie (Fuel Injected) Engine Component Specifications

Description	(RPO 579 250hp)	(RPO 579D 290hp)
Upper Compression Ring:
Material	Cast alloy iron	Cast alloy iron
Width	.184 -.194	.184 – .194
Thickness	0775 – .0780	0775 – .0780
Gap	.010 – 0.020	.010 – 0.020
Ring Clearance Grove	.0012 – .0017	.0012 – .0017
Valve Springs:
Length & Pressure
Valve closed	1.696@ 69 — 79 lb	1.696@ 69 — 79 lb
Valve open	1.306@ 159 — 169 lb.	1.306@ 159 — 169 lb.
Free length	2.08	2.08
Damper:
Number of coils	3.874 — 4.12	3.874 — 4.12
Free length	2.00	2.00
Tappets:
Type	Hydraulic	Hydraulic
Material	Steel	Steel
Manifold assembly, inlet:
Material	Cast aluminum	Cast aluminum
Fuel:
System	Fuel Injection	Fuel Injection
Make	Rochester Products	Rochester Products
Fuel Filter:
Make	AC	AC
Model	GF43	GF43
Location	Mounted on engine top cover	Mounted on engine top cover
Camshaft:
Ramp inlet
Opening	.00474, 10° long	.00474, 10° long
Closing	.00670, 15° long	.00670, 15° long
Ramp exhaust
Opening	.00474, 10° long	.0107, 29° long
Closing	.00670, 15° long	.0107, 29° long
Tappet Lift
Inlet	.26581	.2625
Exhaust	.26581	.2625
Valve Lift
Inlet	.3987	.39375
Exhaust	.3987	.39375
Valve lash (normal driving)
Inlet	Zero	.008 hot
Exhaust	Zero	.018 hot
Timing Diagram Data:
Inlet
Opens (theoretical)	12° 30′ BTC	35° BTC
Closes (theoretical)	57° 30′ ABC	72° ABC
Exhaust
Opens (theoretical)	54° 30′ BBC	76° BBC
Closes (theoretical)	15° 30′ ATC	31° ATC
Clutch:
Type	Semi-centrifugal	Semi-centrifugal
Number of coil springs	9	9
Spring pressure (lbs.)	1620 initial	1620 initial
Drive	Lug	Lug
Lining area (sq. in.)	90.72	90.72
Rated torque capacity (lb. ft.)	326	326
Air Cleaner:
Make	AC	AC
Type	Dry	Dry
Filter Element	Paper	Paper
Oil Filter:
Make	AC, Full flow	AC, Full flow
Capacity (Quartz)	1-1/2	1-1/2
Dual Exhaust System:
Muffler Type	Diffusion & resonance, reverse flow	Straight thru
Body Size	24×4.06
Manifold	Center take down each branch serving two cylinders
Exhaust Pipe Size O.D	2.0
Tall Pipe I.D	1.81
Suspension	Individual, rubber insulated mountings.
Fuel System:
Fuel Tank	Two stamped pans seam welded	Two stamped pans seam welded
Capacity (gallons)	16.4	16.4
Mounting	Support by two straps attached to underbody behind seat	Support by two straps attached to underbody behind seat
Filler	In body left side, to rear of driver’s door	In body left side, to rear of driver’s door
Cooling System:
Radiator core
Make	Harrison	Harrison
Type	Cellular	Cellular
Size	.22x.550×2.00	.22x.550×2.00
Frontal Area (sq. in)	380	380
Capacity	16.5 qts. with heater	16.5 qts. with heater

Manual Transmission / Gear Ratios

	3-Speed Close Ratio	4-Speed (RPO 685)
1st Gear:	2.21:1	2.20:1
2nd Gear:	1.32:1	1.66:1
3rd Gear:	1.00:1	1:31:1
4th Gear:	N/A	1.00:1
Reverse:	2.21:1	2.25:1

Powerglide Automatic Transmission RPO 313/ Gear Ratios

Drive	1.82-1:1
Low	1.82:1
Reverse	1.82:1

Suspension – Front

Unitized, Independant, Short and Long Arm

Front Springs:	Own, coil
Make & Type	Chrome alloy steel .547 — .553
Material & Gauges	Total 9.75; active 7.94
Number of Coils	Outside 4.30; pitch 3.752
Diameter	Free 13.45; working 9.62@ 1145 lb.
Height	9.72
Height Under Curb Weight	800 lb.
Capacity At Ground
Deflection Rate
At Spring	300 lb.
At Wheel	110 lb.
Front Shock Absorbers:
Make & Type	Delco, direct double acting
Mounting	Vertically from lower control arm through coil spring to front suspension crossmember
Model Number	538F
Valve Code	3.5G6/axr/P 1.25
Piston Diameter and Travel	1.00×4.68

Suspension – Rear

Outrigger mounted semi-elliptical leaf springs

Rear Springs:	Own, coil
Make & Type	Own, semi-elliptic
Material	Alloy steel
Length & Width	51×2.0
Spring Slips	Clinch type = 3, Bolt type = 1, Total = 4
Number of Leaves	4
Leaf Thickness	Number 1 & 3 = .282, Number 2 = .313, Total = 1.159
Capacity	At pad = 575 lb., At ground = 725 lb.
Rear Shock Absorbers:
Make & Type	Delco, direct double acting
Mounting	Stem attached to slotted holes in flanged “U” shaped rear crossmember, eye attached at bottom to an anchor bolt on rear spring “U” bolt and shock absorber anchor bolt plate
Model Number	560P
Valve Code	4D6/oxh/j 1.25
Piston Diameter and Travel	1.0×6.69

1958 C1 Corvette Car Dimensions – Hardtop

Exterior Dimensions	Hardtop
Wheelbase:	101.85 Inches
Overall Length:	177.2 Inches
Total Body Width:	72.8 Inches
Overall Height:	51 Inches
Front Track Width:	57 Inches
Rear Track Width:	59 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance	5.8 Inches

 

Interior Dimensions	Hardtop
Headroom:	42.3 Inches
Shoulder Room:	49.4 Inches
Hip Room:	49.1 Inches
Leg Room:	44.2 Inches

1958 C1 Corvette Car Dimensions – Softtop

Exterior Dimensions	Softtop
Wheelbase:	101.85 Inches
Overall Length:	177.2 Inches
Total Body Width:	72.8 Inches
Overall Height:	51.1 Inches
Front Track Width:	57 Inches
Rear Track Width:	59 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance	5.8 Inches

 

Interior Dimensions	Softtop
Headroom:	42.3 Inches
Shoulder Room:	49.4 Inches
Hip Room:	49.1 Inches
Leg Room:	44.2 Inches

 

Capacities	Specs
Passenger Capacity:	2 Passengers
Curb Weight (LBS/KG):
Manual	2,926
Automatic	3,034
Fuel Capacity (GALLONS):	16.4
Engine Oil Capacity (QTS.):	5 (capacity of crankcase less filter – refill)
Coolant Capacity (qts.):	17 (with heater)
Battery:	12 volt, 9-plate, 53AH

1958 C1 Corvette Brakes & Wheels

Brakes:
Type:	Servo – 4 Wheel Hydraulic (Heavy Duty, RPO 684 Optional)
Power brake type:	None
Drum diameter, front (in.):	11
Drum diameter, rear (in.):	11
Effective area (sq. in.):	157 (121 with Heavy Duty brake option)

 

Wheels/Tires
Wheel Type (Standard):	Short Spoke Disk, Pressed Steel
Tire Size	6.70 — 15 — 4 Ply Tubeless (standard), 6.70 — 15 — 4 Ply White & Blackwall (optional)
Front & Rear Wheels:	15″
Tires, type:	Rayon Cord
Revolutions at 30mph:	755
Inflation (cold)	24 lbs. Front & Rear

 

Steering
Type:	Semi-reversible recirculating ball
Make:	Saginaw
Ratio:	21.0:1
Wheel Diameter (in):	17.25
Turns, Stop to Start	–
Turn Diameter (curb to curb)	36.5 ft. right — 37 ft. left (outside front), 38.5 ft. right — 39 ft. left (outside front)

1958 C1 Corvette Performance

Performance Results	Standard	RPO 469	RPO 469C	RPO 579	RPO 579
3-Speed Transmission
Performance weight (lbs.)	3204	3214	3214	3191	3191
Pounds/gross horsepower	13.93	13.12	11.90	12.78	11.00
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement	11.33	11.36	11.36	11.24	11.24
Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement	.813	.866	.954	.883	1.025
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)	228.7	228.7	228.7	228.7	228.7
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)	142.94	142.94	142.94	143.34	143.34
0 – 60 mph (seconds)	9.2	7.6 –	–	–	–
Top Speed (mph)	103.1	112	–	–	–
Powerglide Transmission
Performance weight (lbs.)	3305	3314		3288
Pounds/gross horsepower	14.37	13.53		13.15
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement	11.68	11.71		11.62
Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement	.813	.866		.883
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)	219.5	219.5		219.5
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)	132.83	132.47		133.52
0 – 60 mph (seconds)	–	–		–
Top Speed (mph)	–	–		–
4-Speed Transmission
Performance weight (lbs.)	3217	3227	3227	3204	3204
Pounds/gross horsepower	13.90	13.17	11.95	12.82	11.05
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement	11.37	11.40	11.40	11.32	11.32
Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement	.813	.866	.954	.883	1.025
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)	228.7	228.7	228.7	228.7	228.7
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)	142.18	141.74	141.74	142.76	142.76
0 – 60 mph (seconds)	–	–	–	–	6.9
Top Speed (mph)	–	–	–	113.6	118.7

(0 – 60 and top speed times courtesy of Motor Trend, March 1958)

See Also 

C1	’53	‘54	’55	’56	’57	’58	’59	’60	’61	’62
Gen	C1	C2	C3	C4	C5	C6	C7