We're Looking for 29 Special 1958 Chevys

By Robert Snowden

I've been on the road for the past two weeks attending car shows. I've been doing this for years, so my observations from these two shows didn't really come as much of a surprise to me.

First of all, Chevy enthusiasts love to play with the suspension on their old Chevys (some like high, some like low and some like to be able to do both). Other Chevy owners lean toward lots of bright shiny chrome and in most cases a loud exhaust is also a must. However, the most consistent pattern spotted was once again – red painted! Now this trend doesn’t just affect Chevy owners because collector car owners across the board seem to be attracted to red paint. I'm sure if you've been around the hobby very long you have heard the terms, "resale red" or "if it's not red it just needs to be painted." I've even heard Chevy owners at shows state, "My Chevy never wins because it's the wrong color."

In this months View, I'm here to say not all Chevys need to be painted red. For the most part, GM had some great colors to choose from; both solid and two-tone. To help prove my point, I'm going to need your help. As most of you know, 2008 marks the 50th Anniversary of the 1958 Chevrolet. And, in 1958, Chevrolet offered a total of 29 different solid or two-tone color combinations.

Solid Colors:           Two-Tone Colors:
Onyx Black                Roof & Lower Body/Pillars & Upper Body
Rio Red                     Artic White/Onyx Black
Cay Coral                 Artic White/Rio Red
Forest Green            Artic White/Cay Coral
Glen Green               Glen Green/Forest Green
Colonial Cream         Glen Green/Artic White
Cashmere Blue         Artic White/Colonial Cream
Fathom Blue              Cashmere Blue/Artic White
Silver Blue                 Cashmere Blue/ Fathom Blue
Tropic Turquoise        Snowcrest White/Silver Blue
Aegean Turquoise     Artic White/Aegean Turquoise
Snowcrest White       Tropic Turquoise/Artic White
Anniversary Gold       Tropic Turquoise/Aegean Turquoise
Sierra Gold                 Sierra Gold/Artic White            
Honey Beige              Honey Beige/Anniversary Gold

Here's my idea. Between now and November 5th, 2008, I want you, the owners of 1958 Chevrolets with original paint colors, to send me a photo of your ‘58 along with a short summary about your car. Then, in the February 2009 issue, we will feature all 29 original colors 1958 Chevrolets. What a great way to close the 50th anniversary of the 1958 Chevrolet - 29 original color Chevys! And yes, Reo Red owners, we will be looking for a photo and summary from you as well. Should we receive duplicate color 1958 Chevrolets, we will feature the first one received.

I'm looking for a good color photo and summary of the following 29 original 1958 Chevrolet colors or combinations.

There they are - all 29 solid or two-tone 1958 color combinations. It's going to be quite a feat if we can get all 29 combinations of '58 Chevys to be featured in the February issue because we only have about 60 days to get your photos and information in. Only you and the rest of our ’58 owners can make this happen. I know these '58's are out there so send in your photo and summary today!

Send your color 1958 Chevrolet photos or CD's and summaries to: Late Great Chevys, 5200 S Washington Ave. Titusville, FL 32780 – Attention: Robert Snowden. All photos and summaries sent by e-mail should go to robert.snowden@ecklers.net.