My first Corvette

[Bruce B.]

Attached are a few pictures of my first Corvette, a 1958 Signet Red, 2 top, base engine 3 speed car which I bought in 1962 and sold in 1963. Got it from a car lot in Norwalk, Ct. for around $1800.00.
Snow tires were a must since I drove it every day.
Back then I had 1 Corvette and lots of hair. Now I have lots of Corvettes (4) and no hair. A fair trade as far as I'm concerned.

Post a picture of your first Corvette.

[Ridge K.]

Re: My first Corvette

Great pics Bruce, and thanks for sharing them. Do you happen to know if the '58 is still around?

[Bruce B.]

Re: My first Corvette

Ridge,
A Corvette friend of mine in Monroe, CT. to me he saw the car last year.
Since I don't know the VIN I have no way of confirming it. The last time I saw it was in 1964 and it was in black primer. At that time it was in Norwalk, CT.

[Chuck L.]

Re: My first Corvette

That's an interesting plate on the front view. Was it a Connecticut plate? Doesn't seem to have any state or year on it unless they are on the lower edge.

[Stewart A.]

Re: My first Corvette

It's funny how Signet red is a lot duller than most of the re painted signet reds of today. The photo has probably faded a lot but the reds I see today are much brighter. And the majority of coves seem to be the same colour as the body. Today most coves are different colours.

[Bruce B.]

Re: My first Corvette

Chuck, definately a standard Connecticut plate from 1962 I believe.

Stuart, as far as the Signet red paint goes I recall it was pretty much a "tomato soup" color, sort of a milky red. I recently saw 4 Signet Red 58 Corvettes at Pro Team and they were all different shades of "red".
Bruce B.

[Willard M.]

Re: My first Corvette

Color was pretty close to Cambell's tomato soup mixed with milk. More than 20 years ago I passed on buying a red 58 because I thought that it was the wrong color when in fact it had original paint. Much like today, I often think that I know more than I really do. Often wrong, but never in doubt.

[Jay G.]

Re: My first Corvette

Yes they were Tomato Soup colors. Heres my first Vette "58 Dual Quad 4 270HP 4-speed Ragtop". Had from 69-74. Bought it in Oct 69 for $600.00 from a guy in Ct. Thats me the "dude" off to PU my girlfriend. Going to SR. Prom May of 70. Then Fall of 70 workin on trans. Car Got Duntov in early 90's thru NCRS New England Chapter. Thinks its still in CT. Now MUCH diffent look. Back early 70's was my college and day to day Beater- Driver.

[Bruce B.]

Re: My first Corvette

Jay,
Great pictures.
Thanks for posting them.
Bruce B

Lets see more early pictures from other guys.

[Bill O.]

Re: My first Corvette

Bruce,

About Noon, October 19, 1961. Maybe 15 miles on the odomoter.
And thanks for all your support ! Allstate Insurance Companies parking lot, Santa Ana, CA

[Bruce B.]

Re: My first Corvette

Thanks for the picture.
It looks like Selman Chevrolet is still doing business in Santa Anna today.

[Bill M.]

Re: My first Corvette

On the way to high school graduation in 1964. The '59 is still sitting in my garage, waiting for me to get busy...

[Ray C.]

Re: My first Corvette

Bruce,

Is your 62 Fawn Beige or Almond? It is hard to tell from the picture. I purchased a 1962 (my first Corvette) in 1968, it was Fawn Beige with the 250-HP and a three speed. I am currently restoring a 1961 Fawn Beige with the 315-HP engine.

Ray

[Bruce B.]

Re: My first Corvette

Ray,
My 62 is Almond with a red interior, 340 HP.

[Bill O.]

Re: My first Corvette

Yes, but in 1961 at the opposite end of Chapman in Orange. Interesting that their local telephone number has the last four digits today as it did with the old exchange ( Kellogg 8- )