Chitwood Thrill Show Fuelie Shows How Corvettes are Always a Gas

Current C8’s offer an incredible experience, but Corvettes have even been the choice of stuntmen like Joie Chitwood.

We don’t often think of the Corvette as a rough and tumble type of car, but back in the late 50’s someone did. Joie Chitwood was that person, and he took a 1958 Corvette and decided it was best used by going off ramps and performing stunts.

Not only was it an interesting use for the Corvette, but it wasn’t your ordinary C1 either. This rare fuelie example had enough power for Chitwood, with it being rated at 290 horsepower from it’s 283 cubic inch motor. Thankfully these C1’s were durable as well, being the last to use a solid axle, and having Positraction rear axle. All minimum equipment needed for driving around on two wheels.

Unique history aside, this Corvette is one of the most desirable C1 configurations. Spotted on Hemmings, this C1 has a factory hardtop in white sits on a white car with red interior. It was restored, but to a very high degree. High enough to earn an NCRS American Heritage Award. The simple fact that it is a high-quality car speaks to the unique toughness of the C1. Perhaps unexpected toughness, as we certainly wouldn’t expect a Corvette to survive the rigors of a stunt show program. In a search of restoration history on this car, we couldn’t find much information.

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If you think you’ve seen this car before, you’re right. About two years ago it was spotted by CorvetteForum staff, and at the time had a price tag of $300,000. As it sits now, it has lost 1/3rd of its value. However, the Chitwood history of this car does put it a step above other C1 fuelie prices, it seems. Whether that’s an indicator of a downward market trend, we’re not sure. Or, it could have just been an over ambitious asking price a few years ago. As of that writing, it had only switched hands barely three times. Since then, it had changed ownership just as many times. At minimum, it has appeared at Mecum auctions twice, and now resides at C&N Motor Cars.

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Photos: Hemmings
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