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Parked For 30 Years: 1959 Chevrolet Corvette

This 1959 Corvette has led quite a life. It was found parked in this shed, a spot that it occupied for more than 30-years. The current owner has revived it, and it is ready to be driven and enjoyed. However, the task of enjoying it will fall to a new owner, as the Corvette has been listed for sale here on eBay. The vehicle is located in Columbia, Kentucky, and while bidding has reached $38,100, the reserve hasn’t been met.

The owner states that the Corvette wears its original paint, which is a point of great interest. If this is true, then this is a rarity when it comes to the question of color combinations. The primary color is Snowcrest White, while the cove color is Red. Various sources indicate that cars finished in two-tone with Snowcrest White as the primary color would have the coves finished in Silver. There were a total of 535 Corvettes that wore that combination in 1959, but what we have here is not a standard pairing. However, records show that Chevrolet produced five cars that wore a custom color combination, so this could be one of those cars. It would be interesting to do some further investigation to confirm this, but the first thing to do would be to inspect the Corvette to ascertain whether the paint is original. The paint isn’t perfect because it does have a few marks, chips, and cracks. However, if the information that the owner provides is accurate, then I would be inclined to leave that aspect of the car untouched. The exterior trim and chrome present well for an original survivor, as does the glass. The owner indicates that the underside of the Corvette is clean, which would suggest that there are no rust problems. The “found” photos show the vehicle wearing a hardtop, and I would assume that this will be included in the sale.

It seems that the storage environment for the Corvette was close to ideal, so it is no surprise to find that the interior presents so nicely. I can spot what appears to be a Sun Tach bolted to the top of the dash, but I can’t see any other additions. The top of the dash is looking discolored, but it is one of the few flaws inside the vehicle. The upholstery on the seats and door trims is in excellent condition, and the same seems to be true of the carpet. The wheel has no evidence of wear, while the gauge cluster appears to be in excellent condition. If I were to buy this classic, I would be inclined to remove the aftermarket tach and address the issue with the top of the dash. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t touch anything else.

The Corvette has led a life of adventure, including the fact that it was stolen back in 1962. When it was recovered, the original 283ci V8 was gone. In its place went a brand new 327, and that is what we find there today. The owner doesn’t indicate what version of the 327 we are dealing with here, so we don’t know what sort of power it produces. A manual transmission backs this engine, but it isn’t clear whether this is a 3-speed or a 4-speed. What we do know is that this is 1-of-285 Corvettes that left the factory fitted with a 4.56 Posi rear end. When it comes to mechanical health, the owner provides little information beyond the fact that it is driveable.

If the paint on this Corvette can be confirmed to be original, it makes this vehicle a genuine rarity. Its condition seems to be impressive for a survivor. It is a shame that it is not a numbers-matching car, because this will almost certainly have some impact on its overall value. However, it does appear to have an interesting back-story. Whether that will help its cause is a matter of conjecture. If a driver-quality classic with a bit of a past sparks your interest, then maybe this is a Corvette that is worth a closer look.

Comments

  1. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    I personally could not have this car in my garage/shed/carport for 30 years and not drive it every day. Why just let it sit there? I do not, and will not, allow a car
    to just sit….if I’m gonna fix it and drive it, I fix it and drive it; if not, I sell it.

    Yes, I know, classic cars are a dreamer’s hobby.

    Like 14
    • Avatar Gerard Harings

      How right you are sir…over the years i collected some dream cars( my dream cars) jaguar xjsc 6 cyl manual a 1987 Z51 dougnash C4 a 89 C4 six speed cabrio a 97 cobra mustang cabrio ( this car is verry expensive if you drive it in Belgium around 2800 dollar a year taks) i do drive them all exept te cobra If a car inBelgium hits 30 years it is taks free ( youst to be 25 , 2 years ago so the cobra would be taks free in 2 years…..bummmer. wil keep her anyway….my daughter wil be 18 next year and she wil gt the Jag ( one owner problem les….but not realy wil have to do the maintenance anny way).How can i affort those cars?….never bought a new car…..200 to 1500 every five years for a sevent hand car…..and around 10000 to 15000 for an collecteble car…. i am only working class but i do like clacics…..my latest and finnal acquirement is a C2 coupe wil be a resto mot…wil take a couple of years to restor ( finaciali and time) bud wil be my pension reward….BTW the C4 cabrio is rebuild on a verry short budged tho chase down the RING…….realy on a budget

      Like 5
      • Avatar Michael Morrall

        Enjoyed your classic obsession/interest story. Truly there are ways to have not on the cheap? but on a frugal budget these exceptional collectable cars. But, indeed, drive them, use them, maintain ongoing to get the fullest enjoyment!

        Like 2
      • Avatar Rick

        I love the fact that you are a car guy and have some pretty neat wheels! I am a classic MG collector. Had B’s and an A up till a couple of years ago. Regret selling it sometimes.

        Like 0
    • Avatar stillrunners

      Rex – if you ever got a car stolen – or if you had the same car stolen again – like I have – you just might not want to get it out again.

      Like 2
      • Avatar gerardfrederick

        True story. A stolen car always has been abused, plus he has bad vibes. No good – refuse to take it back and let the insurance eat it. That´s what insurance is for.

        Like 3
      • Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

        I had my truck stolen this past July 4th, they stole every tool and every thing in it. 3 weeks later it was broken into again, and they stole the replacement tools.

        Like 1
  2. bobhess bobhess Member

    If the underside is clean that makes this car worth having. Very nice.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar PackardMike

    I bought one like this in 1969 for $1100.00. same colors only my coves were red only from the three spears back. NOM 283 3spd. Had been drag raced & front splash pans were cut for headers. It had rust issues in the rear frame & crossover. Fixed that, rebuilt the engine & swapped in a 4 spd. S O L D it in 1986 for the princely sum of $10500.00 Ah, the sweet sound of that exhaust on a warm summer night with the hard top off……..good old days.

    Like 11
  4. Avatar PackardMike

    Oh, Mike also had power windows!! Fun times! Vote
    Vote for truth.

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Skorzeny

    Why would you remove the tach? Every car needs one…

    Like 4
  6. Avatar gaspumpchas

    Beautiful. One concern I would have would be, when it was stolen and the original Mill was removed, what other original parts were removed? Of course an inspection by an expert would let you know if you want to buy. Beautiful- I wouldnt do anything to it. Hearing that 327 rumble would be music to anyones’ ears! Stay safe and Good luck.
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 3
    • Avatar smokeymotors

      corvair hubcaps only fit on 14″ wheels huumm?

      Like 2
      • Avatar jokacz

        Yeah, I was wondering about that.

        Like 1
      • Avatar virg

        Corvairs had 13 inch, I think 15 inch fake wires were available for vetts on a budget.

        Like 3
  7. Avatar Charles Sawka

    Since it’s obviously not a numbers matching car, leave it like it is and enjoy it. Funky tach included. It’s period correct.

    Like 7
  8. Avatar gerardfrederick

    Simply wonderful, phony tach, incorrect engine and all. Just enjoy it as it is.

    Like 7
  9. Avatar DRV

    If a cove color was custom, it would have been done at the dealer.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar tony di mondi

    the 4.56 gears got to go unless u were just drag racing it, put back the 283 with dual quads , repaint it original enjoy . $30K tops

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Thomas Lyons

    I had a 56 with 5 : 38 and a 500 horse 331 that’s 327 .030 over . Cops told my mother she would have done better to my me a gun . It shooK the neighbors house so bad at 1400 rpm idle her China was falling out the cupboard
    .

    Like 0
  12. Avatar chrlsful

    38K$ is 1/2 way? My fav vette (any fro ’56-’60) but this has no trunk spears and that great dash (both sides). Funny (sad?) thing is I’d like to put the Blue Flame in…

    Like 0
  13. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended:Sep 27, 2020 , 7:12PM
    Winning bid:
    US $51,000.00
    [ 28 bids ]

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Browndog

    the door rubber has been painted over with white paint sloppy job no way original

    Like 0

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