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270HP 2×4: 1959 Chevrolet Corvette

That the Corvette managed to survive beyond its first few years of production to become a long-standing fixture in the American automotive world has a lot to do with pride amongst Chevrolet management at the time. Production Corvettes from those first few years found themselves lumbered with a 6-cylinder engine, Powerglide transmission, and poor build quality. Common sense decreed that Chevrolet should cut and run on the Corvette due to low sales volumes, but for the company, failure was not an option. Ford’s release of the Thunderbird spurred Chevrolet on, and by the time our feature 1959 Corvette rolled off the production line, the model was fulfilling the expectation of both the company and potential buyers. Located in Addison, Illinois, this Corvette has been listed for sale here on eBay. The BIN for this classic has been set at $59,900, or there is an option available to make an offer.

While there are a couple of non-original aspects to this Corvette, the panels and paint don’t fit into that category. The original Snowcrest White paint presents very nicely and has survived the past 60-years extremely well. This particular car is 1-of-3,354 cars in that year that were finished in this color. The owner says that the paint has very few chips and scratches, but that there are no signs of crack anywhere on the body. He supplies a number of photos of the Corvette’s underside, and it all looks to be clean and solid. The chrome, trim, and glass look extremely nice, while the white soft-top is also in very impressive condition.

There were no engine upgrades for the 1959 Corvette over its 1958 predecessor, but owners were still spoiled for choice. In this case, the original owner chose the 2×4-equipped 283ci V8, producing 270hp. The engine in this car is numbers-matching and is backed by the optional 4-speed manual transmission. The engine, clutch, and transmission have all been treated to a rebuild, and the car is said to run and drive very nicely. It is when we delve under the car that we discover the major non-original item. At some point in the past, the Corvette was treated to a brake upgrade, with the fronts being a 1970s-vintage disc brake conversion. I have no doubt that this would provide a major confidence boost when the time came to bury the brake pedal at high speed, but I also suspect that there might be one or two potential owners who would look at returning the brakes to their original configuration. What might tip the scales in favor of the latter option is the fact that not only is so much of the car original, but it does only have a genuine 24,800 miles on its odometer. I can definitely see the attraction of having the Corvette as an original, low-mileage survivor.

The original theme continues inside the Corvette, with the Turquoise trim being as it was when the car left the factory. It has survived in impressive condition and appears to be completely original. The 1959 model year brought some minor, but welcome, upgrades to the interior of the Corvette. This included concave lenses on the gauges to reduce glare, while the door handles and armrests were repositioned to improve comfort and ergonomics. The seats received a redesign to improve lateral support, and although they are not fitted to this car, sun visors were introduced as an option. Probably the single most significant improvement was the one made to the shifter. A T-Handle was added to provide a lock-out on reverse gear, preventing drivers from accidentally trying to grab that gear when their driving became a bit enthusiastic.

If you leave the brake upgrade out of the equation, this 1959 Corvette could well be classed as an original survivor. It might not be perfect, but its condition still remains quite impressive. It is a car that is ready to be driven and enjoyed, and I can fully understand why there are currently 116 people who are watching the eBay listing. It would be a great car to buy now in anticipation of the weather becoming warmer once again, and with vehicle values once again on the rise, it could also prove to be one of the most enjoyable investments that you could ever hope to make.

Comments

  1. Avatar leiniedude Member

    OK, I’ll say it first. Come on Lotto!!!!!!!!!!!

    Like 10
    • Avatar geomechs Member

      I’ll say it second!!!!

      Like 6
      • Avatar leiniedude Member

        Always happy to share my lotto winnings with other motor heads George!

        Like 4
      • Avatar geomechs Member

        Me too. I don’t even know what that Powerball is right now. The kids play it each week and I just send them money. Maybe there will be a windfall before I’m 70, which is now closer than 60…

        Like 4
      • Avatar leiniedude Member

        I gotta laugh, hardly ever play, a couple years ago the jackpot was like a billion. I did win. Broke even at 3 bucks, LOL!

        Like 3
      • Avatar On and On Member

        I’ll be third in that line, I’m a klick and a half away from 70. Me and sweetie pie buy tickets from time to time but bottom line we think it’s worth the thrill of a dream more than a reality. I heard you have a better chance of shark attack in Lake Superior than winning ………………….

        Like 2
      • Avatar leiniedude Member

        Hey Gregg, you are already a winner with Sweetie Pie! Are you up North yet? Got something to send you. Take care, Mike.

        Like 0
      • Avatar On and On Member

        Were in Lodi. Be headed back up soon. Found you an old Leinie opener from the 50’s, very rare…… I’ll send it when I’m back there. What do you have????????

        Like 1
  2. Avatar Jeremy

    I’ve always thought that 8 barrels of fuel dumping into 283 cubic inches of small block was overkill…

    Like 4
    • Avatar Fred

      Approximately 770 CFM for the pair.

      A single carb back in 59 was probably not enough

      Like 2
    • Avatar JerryDeeWrench

      You never drove one.

      Like 2
    • Avatar John

      The sound of those eight howling little funnels gulping down air is worth the price of entry. This is a beautiful car.

      Like 6
  3. Avatar R Soul

    Just… Awesome!

    Like 3
  4. Avatar chrlsful

    no hard top included? Fergedidid.
    Actually, these R my favs ’56 -’60 i think still have these ‘i-talian’ rear deck no more rocket ship tail lghts, no pointed rear end…the 1 Martin M & George M drove thru 115 episodes?

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Chuckster

    Why would a sane person go back to drum brakes ? Drive this baby

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Brigham!

    I’m not a Corvette man by any means, but I love this one. So lovely, so tasteful.

    Like 7
  7. Avatar DRV

    Worth every penny if it is as claimed! White with no insert color(although silver would be the color) is something that was common, but not on restored ones. It is a great DD and I would drive it everywhere.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar A.J.

    I was at my cousin’s house the day he picked up his brand new ’60. Same color combo. I was 12! And I still want one. As leiniedude said, come on lotto!

    Like 3
  9. Avatar Charlie Strunk

    Seats are not original. Ribs go across on 59. Seat covers looked like this in 1960.

    Like 3
  10. Avatar Al

    Charlie: don’t think so!

    Like 1
    • Avatar Charlie Strunk

      I think SO. I have had a 59 since 1963 and
      my brother bought a 60 brand new!

      Like 1
  11. Avatar chrlsful

    any ’56 – ’60’s fine w/me, I’d even go w/it if the BlueFlame were in it

    Like 0
  12. Avatar TimM

    Nice first generation corvette!! Great car!!!

    Like 0
  13. Avatar leiniedude Member

    So much for the Lotto! Ended:Oct 20, 2019 , 3:16PM
    Sold for:US $59,900.00

    Like 1
    • Avatar geomechs Member

      Daggone it! Too bad for us. Maybe it’s a good thing we DON’T win the lotto; we’d just spend it on silly things, like a vintage Corvette…

      Like 1
      • Avatar leiniedude Member

        LOL! Or vintage trucks, wagons, scooters or any other silly rig! Take care, Mike.

        Like 0

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