C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

[Keith W.]

Gents - Am a C2 guy so need some advice or pointers off the solid axle gurus on here - I get a call from a fellow corvette fan who's fallen in love with this vette - they want 79,000 for it and its got to be shipped back to the UK

I've worked out that the car was made in Nov 1957
And the CS on the pad points that it was came out of a FI engine

Question
Does the pad and stamp look OK - you wont offend me
Does the engine stamp / date match up to the serial number of the car

As always thanks for you're advice in advance - Keith


https://www.westcoastcorvettesales.com/vehicle-details/1958-chevrolet-corvette-convertible-f8098d2eabca402fbf229ada2e633e7a

[Keith W.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

Just found this stamp 1958 on C1 registry - the WCC looks like a re stamp ?

[Tom B.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

I'm no stamp pad pro but the '58 in post #1 appears to have the broach marks we look for and all characters are the same font. The one in post #2 shows no broach marks and appears to have been decked. Also the CQ is a smaller font. I'd question the one off the C1 Registry.

Tom

[Don H.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

What little I can see, it appears to have an alternator, wrong fuel filter, and no shielding (radio?). Don H.

[James G.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

Keith, VIN 2391 was made around December 20, 1957. The motor stamp date F1120CS fits this car, [F=Flint, 1120 = date Nov. 20, 57 and CS = 283/290hp] Many more items to confirm, Block should be 3737739, fuel injection should be model #7014800R. I think the motor is original.

$80k is all the money. It should include missing parts like WONDERER RADIO, EXHAUST MANIFOLDS etc.

WEST COAST CORVETTES have been in business for many years and have a good reputation. Tell Mike I said hello.

[Keith W.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

Thanks for all the comments and advice guys - looks like he's going to purchase - one good thing is that he's going to be joining NCRS after the purchase - appreciate you sharing the knowledge
- best regards Keith

[Dan A.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

I wouldn't make a purchase based on the pad photo in post #1. The pad surface is obscured by pits or corrosion or dirt or something. The photo isn't crisp when enlarged. What looks like broach marks give me the impression they are continuous. If they are I would find that a concern.

[Richard T.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

The dash pad is not a correct pebble grain vinyl as used in 1958 only. The speaker grille has a bezel which is not correct and the grille itself is either wrong or mounted incorrectly. And as others have pointed out there are issues with alternator, missing shielding, wrong radio, wrong radiator, questionable engine pad etc. A serious inspection would most likely turn up more issues. If buyer is content with these issues fine, if not maybe he should continue looking or negotiate a lower price.

[James O.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

ya. what they all said. there is no way to exactly tie the engine date stamp to the serial number on a car before 1960 because the body serial number was not stamped on the engine pad. the date just wants to precede the build date by a couple of days up to 8 weeks. however, i would check the casting date code at the top rear part of the block below the distributor. that date code below the draft tube must precede the date that is stamped on the front pad because no one can fudge that casting code. also, a question for dan adie. just wondering what you mean about the continuous broach marks being a concern? i thought the whole deck surface was broached in that one direction.

[John D.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

Sorry I saw this post so late.
F1120CS '58 Corvette engine. This car has the INCORRECT fuel injection unit.
Car is too late to have a left over '57 unit.
Should have a typical 7014900R fuel injection. Should have the correct expensive fuel filter assembly.
Distributor should be a '908.

John D

[Keith W.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

Appreciate all you're comments and help - as per usual always grateful - Thanks Keith

[Loren L.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

Also looks like "Roman Red" instead of "Signet Red".

[Jim D.]

Re: C1 1958 West Coast Corvette - FI numbers matching - Advice

I'm surprised nobody noticed that all gauges and tach have been replaced with aftermarket ones.