1958 Corvette SS
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Pro
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From: Highland Mi
1958 Corvette SS
I guess I am a bit surprised that I haven't seen any reference on the forum to this car on ebay. It has been on a few days. States it is one of the mules with matching engine and frame numbers. The prices so far seem a bit anemic unless there is more to the story. Looks like it would be a fun project no matter what-Jim
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From: Conroe Texas
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From: Highland Mi
Sorry Jeff I guess I haven't read thru the forum enough today to spot that post-at least I got some work done in the shop tonight so I have a good excuse. Figured at those prices there may be more to the story but like I said looks like it might be a fun car nevertheless.-Jim
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Texas
Hey Jim... not related but read that the Offy 4 cylinder put out
400hp in Indy trim when I was reading up on some early Indy stuff
yesterday...
Early 60's destroked stock type block Ford V8's made to compete with them (255ci I believe) were doing about 380hp... and were made to run between 6000 to 9000 rpm... The little V8's got up to speed
w/in a year or two though...
400hp in Indy trim when I was reading up on some early Indy stuff
yesterday...
Early 60's destroked stock type block Ford V8's made to compete with them (255ci I believe) were doing about 380hp... and were made to run between 6000 to 9000 rpm... The little V8's got up to speed
w/in a year or two though...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
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There were only two SS chassis built. The original SS survives in its original form with the magnesium body.
The mule chassis was acquired by GM Styling chief Bill Mitchell in '58 or '59. He had Larry Shinoda design a new fiberglass body for it, and they took it racing in '59 and '60, winning an SCCA C Modified championship. The car was called the Sting Ray and it was a preview of the '63 production car.
Modified over the years with a big block and other transplants, it survives in the GM collection. To see it in action, watch the first 10 minutes of the Elvis movie "Clambake".
The car in the pictures looks like the Sting Ray racer copy body produced in the early '60s for C1 owners who wanted to update to the new look. It was made by Fiberfab, better known for their GT40-style bodies for VW chassis. Never saw one of their "Sting Rays" with two headrests 'til this one. Note the tilt front end, true to the original design.
The mule chassis was acquired by GM Styling chief Bill Mitchell in '58 or '59. He had Larry Shinoda design a new fiberglass body for it, and they took it racing in '59 and '60, winning an SCCA C Modified championship. The car was called the Sting Ray and it was a preview of the '63 production car.
Modified over the years with a big block and other transplants, it survives in the GM collection. To see it in action, watch the first 10 minutes of the Elvis movie "Clambake".
The car in the pictures looks like the Sting Ray racer copy body produced in the early '60s for C1 owners who wanted to update to the new look. It was made by Fiberfab, better known for their GT40-style bodies for VW chassis. Never saw one of their "Sting Rays" with two headrests 'til this one. Note the tilt front end, true to the original design.
Last edited by sub006; Apr 29, 2008 at 01:56 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,679
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From: Pendleton IN
58 SS Ebay
I about fell over when I saw it on ebay. I have been fortunate enough to inspect the real SS at the Indy 500 Museum. This copy is really neat. I have to wonder if it's not just that though...a copy. I'd like to see the suspension under the ebay car.
What's the real story?? Fiberfab or???? Does anyone really know? I did see what looked like a MG kit car next to the SS in the ebay ad.
What's the real story?? Fiberfab or???? Does anyone really know? I did see what looked like a MG kit car next to the SS in the ebay ad.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Highland Mi
Hey Jim... not related but read that the Offy 4 cylinder put out
400hp in Indy trim when I was reading up on some early Indy stuff
yesterday...
Early 60's destroked stock type block Ford V8's made to compete with them (255ci I believe) were doing about 380hp... and were made to run between 6000 to 9000 rpm... The little V8's got up to speed
w/in a year or two though...
400hp in Indy trim when I was reading up on some early Indy stuff
yesterday...
Early 60's destroked stock type block Ford V8's made to compete with them (255ci I believe) were doing about 380hp... and were made to run between 6000 to 9000 rpm... The little V8's got up to speed
w/in a year or two though...
I bet timing the cams in your avatar would be a treat. -Jim
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Pendleton IN
That car is just gorgeous! I had never heard of the car. I had heard of Fiberfab but never knew that the car was offered. WHat years was it offered?
Cruising
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For mine the original body was just used as a basis and a whole new body was created to address some of these problems and better replicate the Stingray - as it stands the Fiberfab body looks a little odd and out of proportion.
(The guys that did mine have a site: www.corvetteuk.com If you go to "Gallery" and flick through the pages you can see pics of the build.)
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From: Mobile AL
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Thread Starter
Pro
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From: Highland Mi
Just got an email from Meadowbrook that they are having a Mitchell Concept Class at this years event (August 3) to go along with the 100 year history of GM, so if you want to see the real Sting Ray it will be there along with the Mako Shark and the Manta Ray. _Jim