1959 Corvette Fact Sheet

Corvette Cleans Up
The Styling for 1959

 

The styling “clean up” made the revised 1958 body style shine. Production increased to 9,670. The Corvette was catching on.

 

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General Year Information

A 290 horsepower fuel-injected 1959 Corvette could go from 0 to 60 M.P.H. in 6.6 seconds. From 0 to 100 in 15.5 seconds. It had a top speed of 128 miles per hour.

Models Offered

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Interior changes included redesigned bucket seats and door panels, a fiberglass package tray under the sissy bar and concave gauge lenses.

A tachometer, outside rear view mirror, dual exhausts and electric clock were among the standard features. Seven exterior color choices were offered: Black; White; Cream; Silver; Red; Blue and Crown Sapphire. The cove could be painted either silver or white. Blue, red, turquoise and for the first time, black interiors were available.

Engines

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Base V-8. (Code “CQ” & “DG”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 230 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 300 @ 3000 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. Carburetor: Carter WCFB 2669S PN 3746384.

Two 4-Barrel V-8. (Code “CT” & “DJ”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 245 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 300 @ 3800 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. 4-barrel Carburetors: Front: Carter WCFB 2626S PN 3744002. Rear: Carter WCFB 2627S PN 3744004.

Fuel Injection V-8. (Code “CR” & “DH”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 305 @ 3800 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. Fuel Injection Unit Rochester Model: 7017200. Late Fuel Injection Unit Rochester Model: 7014900R.

Two 4-Barrel “Competition” V-8. (Code “CU”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 270 @ 6000 RPM. Torque: 285 @ 4200 RPM Five main bearings. Solid lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″.  Two 4-barrel Carburetors: Front: Carter WCFB 2613S PN 3741089. Rear: Carter WCFB 2613S PN 3741090.

Fuel Injection “Competition” V-8. (Code “CS”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 10.50:1. Horsepower: 290 @ 6200 RPM. Torque: 290 @ 4400 RPM Five main bearings. Solid Lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Fuel Injection Unit Rochester Model: 7017250. Late Fuel Injection Unit Rochester Model: 7014900R

NOTE: All Competition Fuel Injection engines received outside air when the competition camshaft us used.

Fuel Injection “Competition” V-8. (Code “CS”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 10.50:1. Horsepower: 290 @ 6200 RPM. Torque: 290 @ 4400 RPM Five main bearings. Solid Lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Fuel Injection Unit Rochester Model: 7017250. Late Fuel Injection Unit Rochester Model: 7014900R

NOTE: All Competition Fuel Injection engines received outside air when the competition camshaft us used.

Engine ID Suffixes were as follows:

    • “CQ” – manual transmission with 4-barrel carburetor
    • CR” – synchromesh with fuel injection
    • CS” – Synchromesh with high-lift camshaft and fuel injection
    • CT” – synchromesh with dual 4-barrel carburetors
    • “CU” – synchromesh with high-lift camshaft and dual 4-barrel carburetors
    • “DG” – Powerglide transmission with 4-barrel carburetor
    • “DH” – Powerglide and fuel-injection
    • “DJ” – Powerglide and dual four-barrel carburetors.

Chassis Features

    • Wheelbase: 102.00″
    • Overall length: 177.20″
    • Front tread: 57.00″
    • Rear tread: 59.00″
    • Tires: 6.70 x 15 – tubeless

Significant Options

    • Additional Cove Color ($16.50)
    • Courtesy lights ($6.50).
    • Detachable hardtop ($215.00).
    • Dual carburetor kit ($182.00).
    • Electric windows ($59.40).
    • Heater ($97.00).
    • Parking brake alarm ($5.40).
    • Power top ($140.00).
    • Signal-seeking AM radio ($144.00).
    • Special 15 x 5.5 inch wheels ($14.00).
    • Whitewall tires ($31.55).
    • Windshield washer ($16.00).

1959 Corvette Production Figures

    • Corvette Series Number: 800
    • Corvette Body Number: 867
    • Body Style: 2-Door Convertible –  2 Passenger
    • Factory Base Price: $3,875.00
    • Shipping Weight : 2,840 lbs.
    • Total Production: 9,670

Body Paint Color Codes

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1959 Corvette:

 

  502A Frost Blue
  503A Tuxedo Black
  504A Crown Sapphire
  506A Roman Red
  508A Classic Cream
  509A Inca Silver
  510A Snowcrest White

1959 Chevrolet
Corvette-
Current Market
Values

 

Engine Options

    • V- 8 283 cubic inch 245 horsepower dual four-barrel carb. engine ($150.00).
    • V-8 283 cubic inch 270 horsepower dual four-barrel carb. engine with “Competition” camshaft ($182.95).
    • V-8 283 cubic inch 250 horsepower fuel-injection engine ($484.00).
    • V-8 283 cubic inch 283 horsepower fuel-injection engine with “Competition” camshaft ($484.00).

Power Train Options

TRANSMISSION:

    • Three-Speed Manual Transmission – Standard. First: 2.2:1, Second: 1.32:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 2.2:1
    • Two-Speed Powerglide Automatic Transmission ($188.00). Ratios: Low: 3.82:1-1.82:1, Direct 1.82:1- 1:1. Reverse: 1.82:1.)
    • Four Speed manual floor shift transmission ($215.00). Ratios: First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.66:1, Third 1.31:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.25:1

REAR AXLE:

    • Manual Transmission. 3.70:1 (10-37)
    • Powerglide Transmission: 3.55:1 (11-39)
    • Available rear axle gear ratios: 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1. (Optional at extra cost)
    • Positive traction rear axle ($48.45).

OTHER:

    • Heavy-duty brakes & suspension ($780.10).
    • Special 15 x 5.5 inch wheels (no cost).

Related Document
Downloads

Files directly related to the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette will appear below. Click to Download:

1959 Corvette Foldout Brochure

1959 Corvette 8.25 x 11.0 Print Advertisements

1959 Corvette AMA Specifications Sheets

1959 Corvette “Fuelie” Road Test – Sports Cars Illustrated Magazine

1959 Corvette “Fuelie” Road Test – Road & Track Magazine

 

Related Images

Related Images to the 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Line will appear below

1959 Corvette Convertible

The 1959 Corvette was cleaned of its minor styling glitches, making it smoother and sleeker.

1959 Corvette Interior Changes

Two minor changes were made to the 1959 Corvette interior, mostly at the behest of 1958 owners. 1) There was now a tray set under the passenger grip rail, and 2) the seats were re-contoured with larger side bolsters to help keep a rider in place.

1959 Corvette Styling vs 1958

The 1959 Corvette was for the most part, a “carry over” of the new 1958 design. Stylists, now under Bill Mitchel, decided to “clean up” the design. They removed the hood louvers and and the trunk’s chrome “straps”, but otherwise left it the same,

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