Flush
from success in the mid 50s, GM styling under Harley Earl took a few bizarre
turns in the 1958 model year, and the Corvette fell victim to these excesses
with a major redesign. Dual headlamps were now in vogue, along with considerable
amounts of bright exterior trim, and the Corvette got it all. Compared to the
clean and simplistic styling of the 1957 model, the 58 wore most of the
tricks of contemporary automotive design. Bright work was trowled on with louvers
on the hood, along the fender tops and down the trunk. A more aggressive toothy
grille now replaced the delicate look of the 57, including large chrome
openings on each side of the grille.