How much horsepower did a 1958 Chevy have?
In brief, horsepower for 1958 Chevrolets varied widely by engine and option, with most cars using the 283 cubic inch V8. Base outputs were roughly in the high hundreds of horsepower range, while performance packages could push output toward about 270 horsepower, and some Corvette configurations approached the upper end of that range. These figures reflect gross horsepower ratings from the era, which differ from modern net ratings.
Overview of engine options
The following summarizes the main engine configurations used across the 1958 Chevrolet lineup and how they translated into horsepower.
- Base 283 cubic inch Turbo-Fire V8 with a single two-barrel carburetor: roughly 170–185 horsepower, depending on model and compression.
- 283 V8 with a four-barrel carburetor (higher-performance option): about 230 horsepower.
- Tri-Power 283 V8 (three two-barrel carburetors): about 270 horsepower for the higher-performance setup.
- Corvette-specific high-performance configurations (including early fuel-injection options on some builds): roughly 270–290 horsepower, depending on year and calibration.
Note: horsepower ratings from the period were gross figures at the crank and could vary with transmission, gearing, emissions equipment, and model-specific tuning.
Model snapshots
Chevrolet passenger cars (Bel Air, Biscayne, Impala, etc.)
The 1958 passenger-car lineup predominantly used the 283 V8 with either two or four barrels. Output typically fell within the ranges noted above, with the more potent configurations offered as options or on sportier trims and packages. This reflected Chevrolet’s emphasis on combining practical family mobility with improved performance for the era.
Chevrolet Corvette
The 1958 Corvette continued to rely on the 283 V8 as its core powerplant. The base Corvette engine delivered around 230 horsepower, while higher-performance configurations such as Tri-Power brought the engine up to about 270 horsepower. In certain setups, rare fuel-injection packages could push output into the 270–290 horsepower territory, depending on calibration and year.
Summary
For 1958 Chevrolets, horsepower ranged broadly: approximately 170–185 hp for base V8 configurations, about 230 hp for four-barrel setups, around 270 hp for Tri-Power options, and roughly 270–290 hp for the Corvette’s top-tier configurations. The exact figure depended on the model, engine option, and year, reflecting Chevrolet’s ladder of performance from standard family cars to high-performance sports cars.
