C1 - Early '58 Corvette 270 Horse Engine

[Jim Albright]

Does anyone know if there were any very early 58's produced with the CU suffix.

I have a 58 built in the late 2nd or 3rd week of October 1957 production. With an unusual 6500 red line 7000 rpm tach and am trying to determine if this car could have originally come with a very early production 270 HP engine. I know that there is documentation that I have read that the 270HP did not resume production until 1-20-58, but when was production of the 270HP stopped. Does anyone know if there were any very early 58's produced with the CU suffix.

I want to put the correct motor back in this vehicle, as the original was replaced with a 350 several years ago. Any information would be helpful by other owners judges or those who know. I am looking forward to all responses.

Thanks,

Jim

[Ray C.]

Re: C1 - Early '58 Corvette 270 Horse Engine

Hi! Jim

I just looked in the Corvette Black Book and option code# 469C was for the 270HP engine in 1958. There were 978 270HP cars produced in 1958 and 1,621 produced in 1957.The book list the tach as 8000 rpm for the 270HP and 290HP.

Ray

[Al C.]

Re: C1 - Early '58 Corvette 270 Horse Engine

Jim -
For what it's worth, Road & Track Dec '57 (which presumably would have frozen its' articles maybe mid-October?) talks of the '58 Vette in future tense, including mention of the option for high-lift cam with dual carbs.

I just re-read Noland's book, and while I thought it to say 270 didn't come until about December, this time through I didn't find that - only that the carbs and exhaust system were changed in December.

But, a 7000 rpm tach?

... Al '58 #378 NCRS, SACC