1958 Chevrolet Corvette ‘Fuel-Injected’
Rochester fuel injection distinguished the highest-performance 1958 Corvettes from carburetor-equipped variants, utilizing mechanical metering to deliver 290 horsepower from the 283-cubic-inch V-8.
The solid-lifter camshaft and elevated compression ratio produced six-second acceleration to sixty mph, exceptional capability for production sports cars of the period. Only 504 examples received this top specification from total production reaching 9,168 units.
Styling revisions introduced the quad-headlight configuration that would continue through first-generation production ending in 1962. The expanded body featured simulated hood louvers, chrome trunk lid accents, and refined proportions adding nearly ten inches in overall length. Interior updates relocated instruments directly before the driver, improving visibility during performance driving.
The four-speed manual transmission paired exclusively with fuel-injected powertrains, offering precise gear selection through a floor-mounted shifter. Close-ratio gearing maximized the engine’s high-rpm output, while the solid-lifter valvetrain demanded precise maintenance intervals.
This combination represented Chevrolet’s most advanced production drivetrain, balancing street usability with competition potential for Sports Car Club of America events.
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