Price comparison, C1 - C8
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Well as far as "New Technology" The first Corvette was shamelessly in lue of the 'Stock off the shelf ' of components like the front suspension have King pins instead of a more popular Coil Springs arrangement, but it did have a new technology of a fiberglass body. my first was a 1959 corvette and I will never forget how hard the suspension, I remember well the times I had to stop just to rest my spine from the suspension. And the huge price of $3.498.00 and the only options were a radio and or a heater. And a lot of folk didn't like that there were no Power steering, No power brakes and no protection for the most part from the weather. It was not and or the best vehicle for the money, but they did manage to increase the production to #3.640 and the price was lowered to $.498.00 and they started charging for a powerglide for $178.35 but you did get a chance to order the first introduction of 'Torch Red' however it was now 'Sportsmen Red' and a heater now cost $91.40 as was it in the 1953 Car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 6,511
Likes: 4,359
From: Florida
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner- Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I paid $600 for my ‘58 back in 1971. Red on red. 100% original, except for a metal flake red hard top. I liked the ride and it cornered well. The huge steering wheel offset the lack of power and looked cool. In my infinite 17 year old wisdom I promptly replaced the original 283 (?) and 3 speed stick, with a 327 and 4 speed. Naturally I sold the originals asap for some cash needed for headers. 😀
I loved that car! But I also loved my Honda 305 and my 59 El Camino and my girlfriend, annnnd I owed my Dad some money, so one had to go (and it sure as hell wasn’t going to be the girlfriend ❤️).
I loved that car! But I also loved my Honda 305 and my 59 El Camino and my girlfriend, annnnd I owed my Dad some money, so one had to go (and it sure as hell wasn’t going to be the girlfriend ❤️).
