Old School C1 Corvette Gasser Lights Up SEMA Show

Not the kind of thing you usually see at SEMA.

By Brett Foote - November 29, 2022
Old School C1 Corvette Gasser Lights Up SEMA Show
Old School C1 Corvette Gasser Lights Up SEMA Show
Old School C1 Corvette Gasser Lights Up SEMA Show
Old School C1 Corvette Gasser Lights Up SEMA Show
Old School C1 Corvette Gasser Lights Up SEMA Show
Old School C1 Corvette Gasser Lights Up SEMA Show

Old Fashioned Build

Every year, the SEMA Show brings some pretty amazing and oftentimes over-the-top builds to Las Vegas. It's an appropriate pairing for certain, though most of what we come across at the event consists of more modern vehicle builds, or at the very least, restomods. That wasn't the case with this C1 Corvette gasser spotted by YouTuber Hot Rod Hoarder, however, which is a very old-school kind of build.

Different Era

This particular 1958 Corvette was part of eBay's display at SEMA, and it's a pretty cool piece of drag racing history to boot. There isn't a ton of information on this particular fiberglass wonder, but it has enough patina and other signs - like lacquer paint - that suggest it's a true drag racer from a totally different era.

Proud Patina

There's no denying the fact that this old Corvette oozes gasser style, at least, sporting obvious features like its upward-facing rake and big and little tire combination, with massive slicks out back. We're certainly impressed that it has survived all these years in such great condition, and we also don't mind the patina, which just makes it even cooler than it already was in our humble opinion.

Roofless Roadster

With the interior covered up, we can't get a peek at what that looks like, though it's covered by a tarp since there's no top. One can't exactly be added either, since this car has a large roll bar and a chopped down, single windshield for the driver - common modifications from the older era of hot rodding.

Power Source

Our host notes that the Corvette gasser is powered by a small block Chevy of some sort, which sports an old Hilborn mechanical fuel injection system. It certainly generates enough power to put this old Corvette on its rear bumper as the magnesium American Racing wheels and slicks struggle to help it find traction.

Teaching the Youngsters

As part of eBay's "Parts of America" tour, this 1958 Corvette racer has been traveling the country, showing off different slices of car culture along the way for a few months now. Since many young folks may not even know what a gasser is, it's also a pretty awesome way to keep that particular memory alive and well for future generations, too.

>>Join the conversation about this C1 right here at CorvetteForum.com.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our How-to section in the forum.

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