1958

Original 1958 Corvette promos were marketed by both SMP (Scale Model Products) and its affiliate AMT (Aluminum Model Toys, Inc.). These cars were highly detailed compared to the 1953-1956 models. The plastic bodies were molded in color as one piece with separate front and rear valances. The interior, dash and steering wheel were 3 separate pieces. These plastic pieces were glued together to make the interior assembly. The seat detail was fine vertical pleats with heavy horizontal breaks toward the top of the backrests and the front of the seat cushions. The interior assembly (along with the windshield) was inserted underneath the body over 4 plastic pins. These plastic pins were then melted to hold the interior in place. The body coves and seat inserts were painted silver while the rest of the body and interior was left unpainted. The 1958 Corvette promo bodies had a louvered hood, trunk spears and no sun visors. These cars came with chrome front bumper/grille, rear bumper, headlights, tail lights and hubcaps. The front and rear bumpers both read "1958". They all came with wide whitewall tires. The 3 spoke steering wheel should have a Corvette "Crossed Flags" emblem on the horn button (some did not form properly resulting in an indentation). There are different versions of 1958 Corvette promos. The earliest version has a center armrest and a chassis with less detail. These cars came in combinations of red-orange with white interior or white with red-orange interior. The chassis color usually matched the body color (although many white body cars had a red-orange chassis). The steering wheel color should contrast the interior color. The next version did not have the center armrest but it still had the less detailed chassis. These cars came in 3 color combinations; red-orange with a white interior, white with a red-orange interior and white with a white interior. All 3 color combinations of this version have been found without friction motors; the red-orange with white interior cars have been found with and without friction motors. We believe all other 1958 combinations had a friction motor. The last 1958 version had a chassis with more detail that showed the bottom of the engine (this style chassis was also used with the 1959-1960 models). These cars did not have a center armrest. They were predominately assembled with the same color parts (body, interior, steering wheel and chassis all matched). The chassis on most 1958s was attached to the body with 4 bright plated straight head screws with spiral threads. Some original cars have been found with different chassis screws. This type screw also has a straight head but the finish is dull silver and the threads are conventional (not spiral). All 1958 Corvette promos were molded in acetate plastic. This type of plastic has a tendency to warp over time. Please keep in mind that these promos were hand assembled. Mismatched parts are possible.

Boxes: The promos that went to Chevrolet dealerships came in cases mixed with other Chevrolet models. The boxes were plain white without any window. There should be a cardboard windshield frame protector inside the box. There are 3 variations of 1958 Corvette friction promo boxes (these same 3 variations were also used for the 1959 friction promos). They all had a star shaped cellophane window and were covered with black, blue and red artwork. The differences were in the name of manufacturer and the length of box. They made long and short versions of the AMT friction boxes. The SMP friction boxes were the longer size. The long AMT friction boxes are the most common and should have "III" and "CHEV. CORVETTE" stamped on the end. The SMP friction boxes should have "CORVETTE DELUX FLY" and "SMP # 111" stamped on the end. Some 1958 Corvette friction boxes may have a cardboard tray inside to keep the car properly positioned.