I just bought a 58. The guy I bought it from had the car for 33 years and hardly ever drove it. It's a NOM car, but the car has never been hit and it is all there and in very good shape. It is a hardtop only car with wonderbar radio and heater. I plan on doing a frame off restoration and have purchased a correct fuel injection unit for it. I have also found a 67 350 horse air coupe, 60,000 miles, original motor and trans and always an Arizona car. If I were to buy it I would also do a frame off on it for it needs paint and interior. I can do all the work myself including the paint so I figure I would have about $7-$10K more in the 58 than I would the 67 figuring the purchase price difference and parts. The questions I have are: How much will the NOM hurt the value of a frame off restored 58 fuelie and which car would be the better investment? I know a lot of you guys might say pick the one you like best but I will have the same amount of fun with either one. I can't aford both though. Thanks for your input. Mike

 

It's been a long time since I've driven a C1 but for a fact the '67 is better ride and handling.

 

The 67 will ride and drive much better, while the 58 will be a LOT cooler. As far as value, I would say at the present they are worth a similar amount. In the long run, I think the original motor car will outpace the nom.

 

If the 58 was originally a fuelie, I would say the 58. There are ways to tell if it is an original fuelie. Also, are you sure it is a hardtop only car? Look behind the seats and on the rear deck for signs of the soft top brackets and latches. A soft top will run you $3k not including installation just for the frame, top, and other parts.

Otherwise, the 67s are the most popular midyears (not to mention adding AC to the equation) and their values have already eclipsed most C1s and stayed right with the C1 fuelies.

NOMs are not as critical in the C1s since they didn't match the block to the VIN until 1960, but the fuelie originality would be a big plus in value, especially if you have docs or other proof.

 

I don't believe that it is an original fuelie car because there is no bolt hole in the left inner fender well for the air cleaner mount. It does have the fuel injection emblems though. It is definately a hardtop only car but I did get a convertible top to go with the car. I talked to the guy that bought the car in 1970 and he said he bought the convertible top in 1971 for $5.00 with all the hardware to mount it. I didn't get the hardware with the car but I believe the guy I bought the car from still has it. The best part about the car is that the body is so straight. I have been all over the car and can't find any place on it that has been repaired. I haven't seen the 67 but it belongs to a friend of mine that I have known for 25 years and says it is definately a 60,000 mile car, maroon with saddle interior, power steering, power brakes and telescopic wheel. It has stayed in Phoenix since day one. I'm kind of torn here. Anyone wan't to buy a 58? Keep the comments coming guys. Thanks, Mike

 

What's the 58's color combo?

Any idea what its original engine was? Check the tach redline to narrow it down a bit. If it was one of the dual four versions, it would also help the value some over a base 230hp motor. Is the replacement motor the correct casting and is the rest of it period correct? I'm pretty sure the fuelies had a unique casting number but I could be wrong so that would be big $$$ to do it right.

All of the other 58 only parts correct: hood, trunk irons, seats, door panels, wheel covers, etc.? If all of the items above are there, the NOM really isn't much of an issue.

Since you can't prove that it is an original fuelie and considering you're talking investment here with the $7-10k difference in the investment to restore the 58, that would swing the vote for the 67.

But, the 58 would always be much cooler with that fuelie unit under the hood.

If it were me, I'd do the 58 since it's a vert and there aren't as many of them around.

Better yet buy them both and do one at a time!

Anyway - It's cool factor versus investment!

 

As said above, both options are good (that's why the choice is difficult). I had similar options, and went with the C1. There is a growing market for "good" drivers, that look great, maybe a resto, but resto has focused on the running gear (versus the chrome) to make it reliable and sound good. Cruise in's are a blast with the good looking/reliable/good sounding/convertible C1!. So for pure enjoyment on short cruise-in's, the C1 is a winner. And even if some of the C1's components are not original, I would recommend you keep it "vintage", that is, components from the same year.

However, for more serious long distance driving, and long term appreciation with original components, the 67 comes out ahead. As you know there was a significant step up in technology with the C2's, and the 67 incorporated all of them (disc brakes, etc).

Both options will be relatively good investments over time. Let us know what you decide!

 

I kept my '63 SWC and '58 both for awhile, and it is a tough choice. One thing that swung keeping the '58 for me was (mine is also a NOM) I was less "afraid" to drive it. NOM, decent looking, but not a Top Flight. The SWC was all correct and very nice. Plus the "top down" factor made it much easier to just jump in the car and enjoy. The '67 may reach a point where you feel it is "too nice" (and original) to drive, putting you in an uncomfortable position to use the car to its fullest potential and enjoyment.

And, as a previous poster mentioned, the solid axle pre-60 cars are less sensitive to the NOM issue because of the lack of the VIN key to the block. In all, I'd have to vote '58.

 

The block that is in the car is the correct casting number and I think the date would be OK for NCRS. It is out of a passenger car so the suffix is of course incorrect and I refuse to restamp the block. Casting date is Sept 26,57 and the car was born on Jan 10,58. I have a correct early 58 fuel injection unit for it and a correct set of heads. The car didn't have a tach in it, had a vacuum gauge where the tach should have been and they mounted an aftermarket tach up on the dash. I have purchased a correct distributor drive tach for the car. The car now is red with white cove and black interior. The original color was silver blue with a silver cove and silver blue interior. I will be doing a total frame off restoration on either car so if I keep the 58 it will be red with red interior. All of the other parts are correct including trunk irons and hood and I will keep this car all factory correct. I have had 2 mid years and totally agree that they are much better driving cars than the C1's. I don't get as much enjoyment from driving as I used to so the driveability isn't a huge factor in the decision. My enjoyment comes from just looking at the car and going to shows and Cruise In's and sharing the hobby with others. With that said the 58 would be the choice but it still is an investment and investment quality will be the deciding factor. The 58 would be cooler but the 67 would be cooler as in air conditioned and living in Houston that would be nice. Thanks for all the comments and keep them coming. Mike

 

If it were me and I had your talents, I'd find a way to have both. I can only do basic mechanical work so I stay clear of engine internals, bodywork, and paint. Of course the selling prices would have to be right in both instances. Then you can restore one while you drive the other. If you ever want to sell, you know you'll get the money out of either one of em.

If you're paying cash, buy one and finance the other. You can get 8 yr loans for classic cars these days which makes the payments very managable.

This is the way I've acquired 2 of my 3 vettes (69BB & 65SB coupes and a 60). I own the 69 outright but the others are partially financed through JJ Best and Haggerty. To accomplish this, I choose to drive an older payed-for car (95 Nissan 300ZX) as my DD. :o

Just remember, you only go around once!!!

 

I like the looks of the 58 better, but the 67 with the original engine plus air would definitely be the better buy and investment.

 

Mark, You got me thinking. I have a 63 Impala SS 409 project,a 63 Biscayne 409 project, a 71 chevy Cheyenne Super short wide project. If I sold all of those and financed a little. hmmmmmm. I'll get back to you. Mike

 

So you have 3 projects and you are looking to pick up two more?? Hmmm...

 

Damn Capitalist hoarder!

 

No, I have more than that. I am building an apartment in my airplane hangar and after that is done then I will finish my airplane. Then it's on to the Corvette. My problem is when I look at a project I see it sitting there finished and kind of lose sight of what it takes to finish it. I know, I'm SICK! Anyway I think I will probably buy the 67 and make up my mind later whether or not to keep the 58. Thanks for all the replys and advise. I just joined the forum and find all of you guys very helpful and informative. Except for Seaside63. Holy Crap! Thanks again guys. Mike

 

Here is a picture of my Silver Blue with White Coves 58 vette. I also have a 65 and almost never drive it -- I just perfer the cool factor of the 58 over the 65.

 

Wow, That's beautuful. I'm going to try to keep both but we'll see. You look like another Damn Capitalist Hoarder! Mike

 

There is little that can match the "cool" factor of a C1, especially a fuelie. The C1, in my opinion, is a little easier to work on. My first "restoration" was a basket case 58 fuelie. Real fuel car, but the unit was long gone. It had been a 250 hp auto, and I made it into a LT1 clone 4 speed. That was 30+ years ago, but I'd love to have that car back.

 

Mark, Just got approval for the loan on the 67 through Haggerty so I'm off to Phoenix on Saturday to look at the car. 62 Fuelie, you might get a chance to own my 58 this spring. Watch for it in the classifieds.

 

Here's another vote to keep the 67 over the 58, if you have to sell one of them. Both great looking cars, but the midyears set a styling standard that has yet to be matched or topped by any car IMHO. They are also the oldest cars that still drive in a (relatively) modern manner, and the factory AC in your car is a super plus. I admit that I'd try to keep both of them, though......