Any Corvette collectors/restorers here? UPDATED WITH PICS

sigp220.45 · Dec 16, 2011

My widowed sister wants me to get rid of a mostly complete 1958 Corvette that has been sitting in a "car barn" for several years.

I know nothing about Corvettes. I have no idea what to ask for it. I am leery of just listing it on Craigslist.

She has clear title to it. The VIN is J58S1025XX, if that helps.

Keeping it is not an option. She is selling the property on which the barn sits and has no inclination to ever restore the thing.

I'll post some pictures, but mostly I'm looking for guidance as to the best way to sell it. I'm sure there is some kind of Corvette forum, but I don't want to be the car equivalent of the guy who either thinks his ratty Taurus is worth a fortune, or the guy who sells his Registered Magnum for eighty bucks.

Thanks in advance.

29aholic · Dec 16, 2011

Get an issue of Heming's Motor news. That would probably help in pricing it, as well as being a place to list it.

Naples22 · Dec 16, 2011

Corvette C7 - C1 Reviews, Performance, Parts For Sale - CorvetteForum.com
She may wish to join this forum, its full of very knowledgeable people much like this forum is. Hemmings motor News is a must

Dashriprock · Dec 16, 2011

I see you're in New Mexico. If the car is located there, or perhaps closer, you might contact Corvettes Only here in Denver. They may buy it outright and pick it up or ship it on their dime.

Ron H. · Dec 16, 2011

Sir, check with the National Corvette Restorers Society, www.ncrs.org. They've got chapters all over the country, so there's probably a member or two close to you who can evaluate the car and help get you in touch with potential buyers.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

LoadedRound · Dec 16, 2011

Here's a local guy who specializes in Corvettes:
Art's Corvette/ Art's Auto Mart, Inc.
He's got a 58 listed for sale. Might be worth talking to. He has to get his cars somewhere?

310Pilot · Dec 16, 2011

Check out Hemming's Motor News (I don't know if they're online or not, always used the print editions) for asking prices and trends. The value of the '58 will vary widely with condition, options, etc. If it is a factory fuel injection car with 4-speed trans, it will be worth a lot, even if in only fair condition, if it is a base engine model, hard to tell, very dependent on condition. The '58 was the first year of the quad headlights (56/57 had only two headlights, most 'Vette enthusiasts consider them more valuable, as they are actually sleeker looking, and fewer made than the nearly identical 58-60 models). The most highly sought after solid axle Corvettes are the '57 fuel injection cars (first year of FI) and the '61-62 cars, which have a "Stingray" type rear body section (behind the seats). Since it was in a car barn in New Mexico, I am guessing it should be in reasonably good condition, with little or no rust (frame, suspension, etc.), but all the rubber parts (seals, grommets, bushings, frame mounts, etc.) are probably dried out and need replacement. You might also contact the National Corvette Restoration Society (might be restorer's society), or NCRS, as they have many knowledgeable members, and should be able to advise you as to value ranges, and, possibly, let it be known that the car is available. There are also Corvette Clubs in many areas, pretty sure there are some in Albuquerque, probably other areas of NM, as well, plus in nearby states - it may be wise to look them up via an internet search, as there are usually members of those clubs looking for another project. There are several active Corvette clubs in Phoenix, for example, and, from personal experience, many will travel thousands of miles to pick up the new car/project they have been looking for. Hope this helps.

loknload · Dec 16, 2011

Out of the latest Corvette Magazine,,,,,

1958 Show Ready = $110,000...
Good = $80,000
Average = $56,500
Needs TLC = $34,000

There were 9168 produced that year and the base price was about $3500.
I'd say get someone in the know to take a look at it.
First gen Corvettes are worth some big bucks especialy if it's all original
Good luck
I can only dream of ever owning one of that year!
I do own an 86 though!

Regards,
LNL

rbishop · Dec 16, 2011

That is a popular year for restorers. If its all original it could be worth big dollars. If its a fuel injected car it could really be worth big dollars. I used to keep very current and owned a 59 and a 71 LT1 convertible. I would second finding a NCRS member to check it out. Most of those guys are straight shooters. I couldnt say that about alot of the national corvette buyers/sellers.

65kaiser · Dec 16, 2011

Please don't toy with me....That is my favorite year!!! Must resist sending pm.....

JJEH · Dec 16, 2011

A friend of mine runs California Play Toys

Tell him I sent you there and he might can help you out

The '58 is a really nice Corvette btw.

sigp220.45 · Dec 17, 2011

Here it is in all its dusty glory:

There's more scattered bits and pieces but this shows the general sad state of repair. The engine is just sitting in there. The boxes are full of parts.

I'd like to hear any opinions as to what this conglomeration might be worth.

WC145 · Dec 17, 2011

Man, that's something, a fuel injected '58 lost in time. And it's in a nice garage, too, not sunk into the dirt with an old barn falling down around it. I've got no idea what it's worth but I'd love to have it in my garage. Even if you never rebuilt it all your buddies would still come by on weekends to stand around, drink beer, and stare at it wishing it was in their garages!

JJEH · Dec 17, 2011

sigp220.45 said:
I'd like to hear any opinions as to what this conglomeration might be worth.

I posted this topic at the sYc forum.
Hope it helps

Need help with a mostly complete 1958 Corvette - The Supercar Registry Bulletin Board

oldman45 · Dec 17, 2011

All I know is you have me wanting to hook on my car hauler and deplete my bank account to head that way.

Based on how much of the car is there and usable, I would estimate $15-24K. The photos look like it is pretty much a basket case but those make the rest restorations.

rimfired · Dec 17, 2011

Wish I was younger with a couple more bucks. What a great restoration project. I just have a 76 RAT, but it's fun and fairly
unique, @95% produced were automatic trans. Mine is just a L48
350 with 370 rear and Hurst 4 speed. Big boys need big toys.

1 old 0311 · Dec 17, 2011

Contact 'Pro Team Corvette' in Ohio. They are the nations biggest seller/restorer. They will give you a very fair price and handle all the details.

p.s. looks like it is fuel injected. That is PRETTY rare, G.M. didn't start making fuelies till 1957.

Clill · Dec 17, 2011

Vette

Hey..Saw this over on Yenko.net. I would say from what I can see and if it is a real fuel injected 58, anywhere from 35K -75K as it sits. Any documentation on the car ? Old dealership paperwork > Known history ? That would be a fun car to finish.

Packard · Dec 17, 2011

In 1968 my dad bought a used 1967 Corvette coupe with 427 and tri-power with lake pipes. When he sold it in 1970 it had 4,000 miles on it and he got $4,000.00 for the sale--the exact amount that he paid for it. He was thrilled.

A few years back a 67 coupe equipped exactly like Dad's sold for just under $500,000.00.

So it pays to hang onto these babies.

Damn Yankee · Dec 17, 2011

the build sheet should be on top of the gas tank if someone hasn't already taken it off.

Any Corvette collectors/restorers here? UPDATED WITH PICS

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