58 Early/Late Differences

[Jason P.]

As I am going through my 58 project I have run into issues with having the wrong part.

Can anyone share what differences there were in the 1958 production run? For example, I know there was a change with the hood support where early 58's had the support on the passenger side of the hood and later had it on the driver side.

I am wondering if these were also additional changes:

• hood release wire routing
• fiberglass vs metal exhaust tunnels
  • https://www.corvettecentral.com/c1-5...rs-hardware%2f
  • https://www.corvettecentral.com/c1-5...f%3fcount%3d18
  
  
• trunk floor access side panel (metal vs fiberglass)
  • https://www.corvettecentral.com/c1-5...58%26q%3dtrunk
  • https://www.corvettecentral.com/c1-5...58%26q%3dtrunk
  
  
• Hood latch cable bracket - early
  • https://www.corvettecentral.com/c1-5...58%26q%3dearly
  
  
• Door end caps - with and without holes
  • https://www.corvettecentral.com/c1-5...58%26q%3dearly
  • https://www.corvettecentral.com/c1-5...58%26q%3dearly

That's all I have come across. I was hoping someone in the NCRS had already documented this to share.

Can anyone provide more clarity on the production changes during 1958?

[Howard H.]

Re: 58 Early/Late Differences

Jason
I think early cars that had the hood support on the passenger side had the generator mounted on the drivers side manifold. Also there was a stepped pulley on the water pump on early cars, like 57. The hood latches on the firewall were different. Early cars may have had a different horn relay part number. Some early cars may have had the metal fender reinforcements under the front fenders. I have seen some reports that big brake cars had the fender reinforcements. I'm sure there are other differences.
Howard Hiller (46797

[Thomas H.]

Re: 58 Early/Late Differences

The judging manual also describes many of the early / late differences along with approx serial number transitions

[Dan H.]

Re: 58 Early/Late Differences

The generator was still mounted on the passenger side but it didn't have the plate to raise it up, was bolted directly to the exhaust manifold with the u bracket and had a heat shield to help keep it cool. Hood support was still on passenger side until later generator mounting was used. The generator pulley had a 1/4 inch gap between the the pulley and its fan. The hood pin latches were different and used a support brace unlike later ones. The rear bumper brackets were different and needed metal access plates for attaching once body was on. The plates were held on with clutch head screws and threaded into the fiberglass. Earlier 58s had 1/4 20 screws with nuts. I restored 58 sn 297.
Dan

See Corvette Restorer Vol 18, number two, Fall 1991

[Richard M.]

Re: 58 Early/Late Differences

Dan, Your great article is right here in our Database Sticky, Main Page. The very top file in the list of pdf's.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...603#post807603


1958, A Year of Change - Dan Holstein - Corvette Restorer Fall 1991.pdf