1958 built day one

[Gordon J.]

Considering buying a 58 with very low serial number. It has a late 57 block, am I ok on this?

[Dan H.]

Re: 1958 built day one

Gordon, need many more details to help you, vin number, engine casting number, stamps, etc. Early 58s are a mix of what was available upon assembly, if VERY early. I helped restore 58 003, a super untouched car, lots of non typical production parts etc. ( was a pilot line car)
Dan

[Gordon J.]

Re: 1958 built day one

Dan serial number is car number 15 casting is 3731548 I need to look at the car again but was told a end of production year date

[Michael W.]

Re: 1958 built day one

The casting date and assembly date of the engine must pre-date the assembly date of the car. I think 1958 production started around Oct.10th-15th 1957 so the engine must predate this.

[Gordon J.]

Re: 1958 built day one

I was told a lot of 57 parts were used on the early 58 s including tail lights engine component s and such but did they actually use a 57 engine block ? Again, the car I am looking at has a 3731548 not a 3737739

[Dan H.]

Re: 1958 built day one

Gordon, unless there is history on that car back to its assembly, you're relying on unfounded information. You'll need more than that to present a car for others to agree on its authenticity. These are too pricey to guess on what it 'might of had' when assembled.
Dan

[Loren L.]

Re: 1958 built day one

Dan, I can't remember the particular #s, but '58 003 did have a "548" block.

[Dan H.]

Re: 1958 built day one

Dan, I can't remember the particular #s, but '58 003 did have a "548" block.

Loren, yes it did, but it was made in Aug 57, also had a 57 part number on the frame, sand cast arm rest end pieces, FI unit was either 001 or 002, all sand cast. Was a running promotional display car, but not a 'first day of assembly' car, which might have been more sorted out. I'll look for any old notes I took, but most were given to its owner.
Dan

[James G.]

Re: 1958 built day one

It has been speculated that 1957 end of production was September 6, 1957, vin numbers 6917 THRU 6339 were made that day. Source MIKE HUNT, great historian we lost in June 2007 due to a stupid motorcycle accident. I would guess the first Monday there after would have 1958 production cars. I remember 003. The trunk interior was exactly 1957.

[Dan H.]

Re: 1958 built day one

Jim, the trunk on 003 was a 58 version, had clutch head bolts holding down bumper brace access cover plates, very different from 57 trunks and bumper installation. The clutch head bolts were 1/4-20 bolts with flat washer and lock washer and nut on underside. Later, like my 58 vin 297, the plates were held by screws into the fiberglass, a real time saver no doubt. The multi piece bumper brackets were simplified later in 58 to fewer pieces, on into 59 etc.
Dan