1958 Corvette Rescued and Transformed Into 572ci Big Block Beauty

This 1958 Corvette was found sitting under a tarp in terrible condition, but you’d never know that looking at it today.

The story is quite familiar – a guy finds an old Corvette sitting in someone’s yard, and he proceeds to buy it and fix it up. But the story of Hawaii-based car designer Samuel Kuaana and this 1958 Corvette, recently featured at Hot Rod, goes a bit further than most. Kuaana found the poor old 1958 Corvette sitting under a tarp, its engine and brakes seized from moisture. Things were so bad that he wound up only keeping the body, while the rest of the car was essentially replaced with brand new, top-notch parts.

Kuaana entrusted father and son duo Brent and David Jackson with the C1‘s redo, which took place while the pair moved their shop from California to Idaho. That work started on the outside, where the body was kept in mostly original condition, albeit with a few mods. Those include the removal of the original “washboard” hood panel, chrome decklid spears, some emblems, and door locks. The rear fenders were widened slightly, the bumpers shortened and tucked, and new halo headlights added.

Inside, Gabe’s Custom Interiors restitched the Corvette’s cabin with red leather across custom seats, a custom console, Evod Industries steering wheel, and door panels that now feature a custom design. Along with an array of Classic Industries instrumentation, the C1 also carries a host of modern goodies including a Vintage Air A/C setup and Arc stereo system.

The real magic of this beautiful restomod, however, lies underneath its stunning skin. Under the hood, you’ll find GM’s ZZ572 crate engine that’s been treated to a Kinsler crossram intake manifold, Holley Terminator electronic fuel injection, and custom stainless headers. The big block’s 650 horsepower flows through a Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed transmission to the rear wheels.

Like so many Corvette restomods these days, this C1 rides on an Art Morrison chassis with a mixture of C6, C7, and aftermarket components. They include JR1 coilovers, Detroit Speed & Engineering rack-and-pinion steering, and a triangulated four-link rear housing a 9-inch differential with 3.73 gears. Wilwood Aerolite 14-inch brakes with six pistons up front and four in the rear handle stopping duties with ease.

Kuaana’s amazing ride truly came together perfectly, but he wound up parting ways with it before it was even finished. His friend Francis Acupido was so enamored with the 1958 Corvette during the build process that he talked his buddy into selling it to him. Luckily, Acupido doesn’t plan on letting this automotive work of art sit in his garage, but rather, he’s going to drive it for the pure purpose of “having fun.” Needless to say, he’ll be doing that in supreme style.

Photos:Hot Rod

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