Before the comments start flying, this car is an actual triple black 1959 Corvette. The original color is hiding under what is either a low-grade silver or just grey primer from an abandoned Earl Scheib project. What is also hiding under there is a very solid and original 1959 Corvette being sold on eBay out of an airplane hanger in Itasca, Illinois. The seller has another airplane on the way, and both this Vette and a ’67 model have to leave the hanger. Bidding on this barn find ’59 has reached $36,100 with just two days to go. Is that price going to change drastically, or is this former California black plate car that runs and drives going to sell for a bargain price?
The story on this Corvette is that the seller picked it and the ’67 up at an estate sale. Both cars had been sitting since the early eighties. The seller has put the time and money into getting both of them running and road ready again. The fuel system was gone through, the radiator was replaced, and even the horn now works. The car runs and drives well and was driven 80 miles on the day the ad was written up. Even the tires are new.
The only negative, other than the paint, was that the original engine was swapped out for another 283 cubic inch Small Block, also a 1959 engine, in 1968. A worn out engine was the reason. Fortunately, the original engine was saved, and it comes with the car. The car was built with a black exterior, black interior, and a black convertible top. Sadly, there is no hardtop to go with the vehicle.
The soft top that is in the vehicle is a bit crunchy after all of these years. A new soft top should be ordered according to the seller, who hasn’t even tried to raise the original. The original Tuxedo Black paint is starting to show through the mess that is currently coating the car. There are artisan level detailers that can strip off a top layer of paint to get to the original finish. Once they apply their magic to that original finish, the original paint might look pretty good. There is no mention if the cove was painted a contrasting color originally.
A look inside reveals a very useable interior. The three speed transmission is said to shift well, and a new clutch was also installed. The seat covers look new, but the rest of the interior has that long term storage patina to it. All of the lights, signals, and gauges work, and the carpet looks to be in great shape. There is no mention as to it being new.
Under the hood is the 1959 replacement engine. There is no picture of the original engine, nor is there a mention of the horsepower rating. Everything looks used, but intact. It is interesting to see that an original type generator is still providing the car with its electrical needs. Many people quickly switch these out for an alternator if the car is to be driven a lot.
This would be the perfect car to just drive and enjoy. The mechanicals on these Corvettes is simple and easy to work on. With the seller already doing the sorting out on this car, it would be the perfect candidate to purchase and drive back home. After you installed a new top, of course.
What do you think this fine 1959 Corvette will ultimately sell for?
I sure wish they’d quit teasing me with cars like this. My favorite version of the Corvette right here but as has been the rule, it’s beyond my means, unless the lottery kicks in. Nice car. Give it a good repaint and drive the wheels off it. I would use a car like this to fulfill one of my bucket list items: a trip down the entire length of Route 66…
Amen.
Can I be Co pilot ?
And after that, highway 1.
Back in the 60s & 70s, I drove Hwy 1, from L.A. to S.F., many times. Beautiful ride…..
I hear you on driving Route 66. I drove part of it when I bought the Vette and it was fun but left a lot to drive. I’ve already got the maps, brochures, etc. already and in a box for safe keeping till the day I can pull it off.
Glad to see I’m not the only one that want’s to do this.
I still have my 8mm home movies of my trip. I put them on DVD & thumb drive. I was 17 in ’61.
Best years for the Vette, were ’58 (dual headlights) & ’59.
Ditto to all you said. This is also my fave model.
I drove along Rte 66 back in 1961, from Ill. to L.A.
Last year I drove along old 66, from L.A. to Az.
I also have a collection of Rte.66 memorabilia in my family room.
Me Too! Wanna get my Todd and Buzz on before the final frontier. I’d take copies of On The Road, The Dharma Bums, and Lonesome Traveler with me.
Where’s the listing for the ’67?
Sorry, who is this Earl guy?
I’ll paint any car for $29.95
That’s what I paid back in Detroit for a classy lime green for my ‘63 Buick Special.
My ’58 was white originally, then metallic green, then yellow. I stripped the entire car down to the white using hardware store razor blades. Fortunately it wasn’t well prepped between paint jobs and It took only two 8 hour days and it worked out beautifully.
Exterior finish: Earl Gray
In the running for Comment Of The Month
“The only negative, other than the paint, was that the original engine was swapped out for another 283 cubic inch Small Block, also a 1959 engine, in 1968”
“Other than that, How did you enjoy the play Mrs.Lincoln”?
I know if the buyer sells it number matching means a higher price however I have always
wondered how much most people that want to enjoy driving a classic and showing it at all but a few shows that most could not afford to go there anyway even it was number matching numbers car really care.
Not a bad car at $36k. All the better if you can do a lot of the work.
It appears to be a base, as in 230 HP, 3 spd, no hardtop. It has a bite out of the rear by the bumper mount but the panel to fix that is there. Missing the driver side arm rest, ign shielding and a few other odds and ends.
Fix it up without going crazy and make a nice weekend cruiser.
I would think that the “rare car” folks would be jumping at the chance to acquire a 3-speed. By 1959 that had to have been a rare spec. I wish I was not old. I’d love just going down to the garage just to look at this one.
I still drool over the style of 58-59 Corvettes. Beautiful cars!
This is one beatiful Vette. But, for me personally I dig more the simple lines of the 1957 with the single headlights. All the best,
Cr
100% agree. In my opinion, the best looking Corvette of all time. Super clean design and amazing in black.
Earl Scheib was cheap with the tape and labor! He painted the chrome, wheels, tires, bumpers, glass. All this for a lot less than you could buy the paint at the auto store
This is a way better buy than that Superbird here today
What a wonderful hanger find. Any Corvette man’s dream.
I’m with Cain. I think the ’57s were the best design of the period.
Ended:Oct 25, 2019 , 7:11PM
Winning bid:US $36,600.00
[ 4 bids ]
Sept.’64 I ordered a red ’65 GTO, at Utter Pontiac in Hollywood, sight unseen. I was 20 yrs.old.
At the time, they had no brochures or pictures.
The salesman assured me I wouldn’t be disappointed. He said if I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have to take it. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed. It was totally different than the ’64. Loved the vertical headlights. It came with the tri power.
I paid $3200 OTD. I kept it for 5 years…. I’m still kicking myself.
I promised myself, I will have another ’65 before I die. Any chance I could get one, in the same condition, for the same $$$$? LOL!!!
I can dream. can’t I……..