released the first model of what would become one of the most beloved names in cars, the Corvette. It was a landmark car that instantly saw success and became influential in shaping the identity of American car design in the 1950s. Early model years are widely sought after by collectors today, and one of the most popular is the 1958 Corvette.

Car and Driver

published a review from 1957 of the 1958 Corvette that demonstrates how impressive the car was considered when it first launched. Enthusiasts today still admire the 1958 Corvette for its importance in Corvette history as well as for its timeless beauty.

1958 was a big year for the Corvette

According to

Supercars

, 1958 marked the first significant change in design for the Corvette. 1958 brought about a modern interior and dashboard, and it also saw the Corvette adopt a dual-headlight design.

This headlight setup would become standard for the Corvette until the 1963 Stingray release.

This model of Corvette also saw the brand see a positive reputation in the world of professional racing.

Corvettes were already popular among consumers, but their power was beginning to make a presence on the track. As an example of this, the 1958 Corvette placed 12th overall at 12 Hours of Sebring in 1958, which helped showcase what Corvettes could do.

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How did the 1958 Corvette review at the time?

MORE: The Diabolically Smooth 1979 Corvette

In the 1957 review, the writer describes going on a test ride in a 1958 Corvette. They make note of how the car handled very well on a test track, with its suspension making turns shockingly easy to handle. The author notes that the rear suspension in the 1958 Corvette was revolutionary for American cars at the time.

During the test, the Corvette got up to 110 miles per hour, which it naturally did smoothly. Its top speed was closer to 125 mph, but conditions on the track during the test prevented them from getting to make it to this mark.

In addition to this impressive speed and handling, the 1958 Corvette was notable for how strong its brakes were. For a driver who took the Corvette on a track, this would help improve the overall driving experience.

Finding a 1958 Corvette today

MORE: The 1960 Corvette Is a Beautiful Classic

The 1957 review of the Corvette gave a fascinating insight into car pricing at the time.

Instead of the 1958 Corvette having an MSRP like essentially every vehicle today, Chevrolet gave no set price for the car. Dealers chose their own prices for the base Corvette and any other optional features, meaning that the original price varied quite a bit.

Today, prices still vary when a 1958 Corvette hits the market, but this doesn't happen because the dealer is choosing a price anymore. Instead, it's because classic Corvettes are wildly popular and lead to highly competitive auctions. For example, a 1955 Corvette made headlines for its expensive auction cost.

Hemmings

currently has several 1958 Corvettes listed for sale or auction. The cheapest option they have available is listed for about $90,000, and the most expensive is priced at $165,900.

When buying any classic car, there are a lot of factors that play into the price, like whether it has original parts.

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