Beschreibung:

Offered from a private Belgian-Swiss collector 1958 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis no. J58S102481 •New 283ci (4,639cc) V8 engine •Manual transmission (overhauled in 2017) •Present ownership since 2015 •Maintained at no cost spared •Registered in Belgium Fußnoten Back in 1953, Chevrolet's launch of a two-seater sports car was a radical departure for a marque hitherto associated almost exclusively with sensible family transport. Based on the 1952 EX-122 show car, the Corvette made use of existing GM running gear and a shortened chassis frame, around which was wrapped striking Harley Earl-styled glassfibre coachwork. Motive power came from Chevrolet's 235.5ci (3.8-litre) overhead-valve straight six and, unusually for a sports car, there was automatic transmission, a feature that attracted much adverse criticism at the time. Intended as competition for the T-Series MG, the Corvette cost way above the target figure, ending up in Jaguar XK120 territory but with an inferior performance. Sales were sluggish initially and the model came close to being axed, surviving thanks to Chevrolet's need to compete with Ford's Thunderbird. A V8 engine for 1955 and a radical restyle for '56 consolidated the 'Vette's position in the market. A facelift for 1958 saw the Corvette gain a quartet of chrome-rimmed headlamps and a host of other more minor styling changes. By this time, the end of the 1950s, Corvettes had begun to establish an enviable competition record for the marque. Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov was a big fan of auto racing and it was he that was responsible for unlocking the car's innate potential and development it into a genuine race-winner. These racing successes repaid Chevrolet's investment with interest: Corvette sales improved significantly, ensuring the car's survival and enabling it to go on to become the world's best-selling and longest-lived sports car. Like most American cars, the Corvette was available with a host of optional extras, with the result that seldom are two exactly alike. This example was purchased from Classic Dream Cars GmbH by the lady vendor in May 2015 (sales invoice on file). Since then the car has benefited from extensive refurbishment in the care of recognised specialists, principally Carrosserie Janssens of Braine l'Alleud, Belgium, there being related invoices on file totalling circa €30,000. Works carried out include installing a new engine (2016) and overhauling the gearbox and running gear (2017) and fitting new dampers, a new exhaust, a new soft top and a new radio. The car also comes with a Belgian Carte Grise and a copy of The Genuine Corvette Black Book by Michael Antonick. Finished in its original colour combination of yellow with black interior, this beautiful Corvette is ready for the next fortunate owner to enjoy.