1959 Corvette Fact Sheet
1959 Corvette Facts, Figures, and Specifications
The false hood louvers and vertical chrome strips on the trunk were removed.
Otherwise, the 1959 Corvette was a carryover from 1958.
1959 Corvette – Styling Get a Cleanup
The styling “clean up” made the revised 1958 body shine. Production increased to 9,670. The Corvette was catching on.
General Year Information – 1959 Corvette
Other than a clean up of the styling, the 1959 Corvette was a repeat of the 1958 model. However, a positive reverse lockout shifter with the famous “T” handle was standard with the 4-speed manual transmission. This was the only year a turquoise convertible top color could be ordered,
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.
1959 Corvette Facts – 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.
1959 Corvette Facts – Engines
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- 283 CID V-8 230 HP
- 283 CID 245 HP V-8
- 283 CID F.I. V8 250 HP
- 283 CID V8 270 HP
- 283 CID F.I. V8 290 HP
- Engine I.D. Suffixes
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.
Engine ID Suffixes were as follows:
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- “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.
1959 Corvette Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 102.00″
- Overall length: 177.20″
- Front tread: 57.00″
- Rear tread: 59.00″
- Tires: 6.70 x 15 – tubeless
1959 Corvette Facts – Significant Options
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- 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 Facts – Production Figures
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- 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
1959 Corvette Facts – Body Paint Color Mix 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 Corvette Facts – Engine Options
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- 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).
1959 Corvette Facts – Power Train Options
- Transmission:
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- 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 Ratios:
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- 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:
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- Heavy-duty brakes & suspension ($780.10).
- Special 15 x 5.5 inch wheels (no cost).
1959 Corvette Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1959 Corvette Facts – Related Images
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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,