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The 1959 Chevrolet Corvette
The 1959 Corvette was mechanically unchanged from the 1958. It did have the new
reverse lockout t-handle on the 4-speed shifter as well as an optional black interior.
The fake hood louvers and chrome spears on the trunk were removed this year as well.
The seats and door panels were redesigned and a shelf was added under the dash.
A new instrument panel with concave instruments to reduce glare was introduced.
The tachometer, seat belts, outside rear view mirrors, electric clock and dual exhast
were now standard equipment. Sunvisors were offered as optional equipment. Interestingly
the seat pleats on the 1959 run from side to side where the 1958 and 1960 run up
and down. This was also the only year the turqoise soft top was available.
Production Options and Build Statistics
Total 1959 Corvettes Built - 9,670
Serial Numbers |
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Convertible | J59S100001 - J59S109670 |
The serial number (Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN) is located on a plate on the left front door hinge pillar.
Position | Character | Description |
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1 | J | Corvette | 2-3 | 59 | 1959 | 4 | S | Assembled in St. Louis, MO | 5 to 10 | 100001 to 109670 | production sequence |
Engine Serial Number
Position | Value | Description |
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1 to 7 | 0001001 and up | Sequential Production Number | 8 | F or T | Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY | 9 to 10 | Carburetion & Transmission | - CQ: Three-speed manual transmission
- CR: Three-speed manual transmission with fuel injection
- CS: Three-speed manual transmission, high lift camshaft, and fuel injection
- CT: Three-speed manual transmission and dual four-barrel carburetors
- CU: Three-speed manual transmission, high-lift camshaft and dual four-barrel carburetors
- DG: Powerglide automatic transmission
- DH: Powerglide automatic transmission and fuel injection
- DJ: Powerglide automatic transmission and dual four-barrel carburetors
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Cars with optional four-speed manual transmissions used the same engine code suffixes as cars with three-speed manual transmissions. The body number plate is located on the engine side of the cowl. Fisher Body Style Number 59-867 identifies a Corvette. ;
Production Options
RPO | Description | Cost | Total |
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Prod. | % |
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867 | Base Convertible | $3,875.00 | 9,670 | 100.0% | 101 | Heater Deluxe | $102.25 | 8,909 | 92.1% | 102 | AM Radio, Signal Seeking | $149.80 | 7,001 | 72.4% | 107 | Parking Brake Alarm | $5.40 | 3,601 | 37.2% | 108 | Courtesy Lights | $6.50 | 3,601 | 37.2% | 109 | Windshield Washers | $16.15 | 7,929 | 82.0% | 261 | Sunshades (right and left) | $10.80 | N/A | N/A | 276 | Wheels, Five 15"x5.5" (provides hubcaps in place of wheel discs) | $0.00 | 214 | 2.2% | 290 | Whitewall Tires, 6.70x15 | $31.55 | 8,173 | 84.5% | 313 | Powerglide Automatic Trans. (with 230/245 or 250hp engine only) | $199.10 | 1,878 | 19.4% | 419 | Auxiliary Hardtop in place of folding top (production number is for all shipped) | $0.00 | 5,481 | 56.7% | 419 | Auxiliary Hardtop in addition to folding top (production number is for all shipped) | $236.75 | 5,481 | 56.7% | 426 | Power Windows | $59.20 | 587 | 6.1% | 440 | Two-Tone Paint Combination | $16.15 | 2,931 | 30.3% | 469 | 283ci, 245hp Engine (2x4 carbs, regular cam) | $150.65 | 1,417 | 14.7% | 469C | 283ci, 270hp Engine (2x4 carbs, high-lift cam) | $182.95 | 1,846 | 19.1% | 470 | Top, Folding, Optional fabric colors | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | 473 | Power Operated Folding Top | $139.90 | 661 | 6.8% | 579 | 283ci, 250hp Engine (fuel injected, regular cam) | $484.20 | 175 | 1.8% | 579D | 283ci, 290hp Engine (fuel injected, high-lift cam) | $484.20 | 745 | 7.7% | 675 | Positraction Rear Axle (3.70:1) | $48.45 | 1,362 | 14.1% | 675 | Positraction Rear Axle (4.11:1) | $48.45 | 2,523 | 26.1% | 675 | Positraction Rear Axle (4.56:1) | $48.45 | 285 | 2.9% | 684 | Heavy Duty Racing Suspension - includes heavy duty brakes (with 3&4-speed trans and 270 or 290 HP engine only) | $425.05 | 142 | 1.5% | 685 | 4-Speed Close Ratio Synchromesh Manual Trans. (replaces standard 3-speed close-ratio trans.) | $188.30 | 4,175 | 43.2% | 686 | Metallic Brakes - Heavy-duty Metallic facings (with 3&4-speed trans and 270 or 290 HP engine only) | $26.90 | 333 | 3.4% | 1408 | Blackwall Tires, 6.70x15 | N/A | 1,497 | 15.5% | 1625 | 24 Gallon Fuel Tank (Special fiber glass fuel tank offering greater mileage without refueling. Replaces standard tank. Available only with the removable hardtop (RPO #419)) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Color Options for 1959
RPO | Color | Cost | Ditzler | Dupont | RMNumber | Soft Top Color | Interior Color | Total |
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Prod. | % |
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N/A | Inca Silver | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | White/Black | Black/Red | 957 | 9.9% | N/A | Tuxedo Black | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | White/Black | Red/Black/Blue | 1,594 | 16.5% | 502A | Frost Blue | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | White/Blue/Black | Blue/Red | 1,024 | 10.6% | 504A | Crown Sapphire | $0.00 | DDL-12001 | 2930-L (acrylic lacquer) Duco 92945 (nitrocellulose lacquer) | A-1137 (acrylic lacquer) 1137 (nitrocellulose lacquer) | White/Black/ Turquoise | Turquoise | 888 | 9.2% | 506A | Roman Red | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | White/Black | Black/Red | 1,542 | 15.9% | 508A | Classic Cream | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | White/Black | Black | 223 | 2.3% | 510A | Snowcrest White | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | N/A | White/Turquoise | Red/Turqioise | 3,354 | 34.7% |
Interior Colors
RPO | Color | Cost | Total |
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Prod. | % |
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Black | N/A | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | Blue | N/A | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | Red | N/A | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | Turquoise | 59C24 | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
1959 Corvette Specifications
Mechanical Dimensions
Feature | Dimensions |
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Wheelbase | 102 in. | Track Front/Rear | 57 in. / 59 in. | Length | 177.2 in. | Width | 72.8 in. | Height | 51.6 in. | Frontal Area | N/A | Ground Clearance | N/A | Curb Weight | 3,092 lbs. | Weight Distribution Front/Rear | 53%/47% | Fuel Capacity | 16.4 gal. | Coolant Capacity | 16.5 qt* |
Interior Dimensions
Feature | Dimensions |
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Headroom | 34.7 in. | Hip Room | 21.5 in. per bucket 59.6 in. total | Leg Room | 46.5 in. | Shoulder Room | 49.4 in. |
Engine Specifications
Feature | Base | 469 | 469C | 579 | 579D |
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Bore | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3.875 in. | N/A | Stroke | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3.00 in. | N/A | Displacement | 283 ci | 283 ci | 283 ci | 283 ci | 283 ci | Compression Ratio | N/A | 9.5:1 | 9.5:1 | 9.5:1 | 10.5:1 | Horsepower | 230 bhp | 245 bhp | 270 bhp | 250 bhp @ 5,000 RPM | 290 bhp | Torque | N/A | N/A | N/A | 305 lbs.-ft. @ 3,800 RPM | N/A | Redline | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Carburetion | Carter four-barrel Type WCFB Model 2816 | 2x4 bbl | 2x4 bbl | Rochester Fuel Injection | Fuel Inj. | Oil Capacity | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Valvetrain | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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