Summary

283cid/290hp V8 with a 4-speed and radio delete. Owned by legendary Joie Chitwood of 'Thrill Show' fame with complete documentation.

Details

This matching numbers historic Corvette has less than 19,000 original miles. Title shows exempt. The legendary Joie Chitwood of 'Thrill Show' fame ordered this Corvette new with the 290hp factory Fuel Injected 283cid engine, 4-speed transmission, 4.11 posi-traction rear axle, 15' rims and radio delete. Only 1,007 Fuel Injected Corvettes were produced in 1958 and only a few of those featured the rare options that this car has. The list of components with documented dates and codes includes: the engine block, Fuel Injection unit, distributor, bell housing, transmission maincase and tail housing, differential, chassis and drive shaft, all manufactured between December 8, 1957 and January 22, 1958. The Chitwood Corvette rolled out of the Chevrolet's St. Louis plant in late January, 1958. After undergoing a professional nut and bolt restoration the story of the Chitwood Corvette was revealed to the world in a featured cover story in Corvette Fever magazine. Joie Chitwood started his racing career in Winfield Kansas, twice winning the AAA East Coast Sprint car championship, and winning the CSRA title in 1942. He competed at the Indianapolis 500 seven times, finishing fifth on three different occasions and he was the first man ever to wear a safety belt at the Indy 500. Substantial documentation is included with this vehicle, including original Joie Chitwood promotional materials, video footage of Chitwoods Thrill Show, the original 1958 registration signed by Joie Chitwood and all registrations thereafter. This is a beautiful, historic and highly documented vehicle that has been professionally maintained and displayed in climate controlled conditions.