Factory Fuelie? 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Barn Find
It’s hard for me to imagine attending a car show, purchasing a classic automobile, driving it home, then never taking it out on the road again. This goes double for a late-fifties Corvette, but that’s apparently what happened here, as the seller says his father bought this one at the Hoosier Auto Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, back in ’76. Upon arriving home, the car was parked and never driven again, but now the time has finally arrived for someone else to take over the reins. If you’ve been looking for a C1 project, this 1959 Chevrolet Corvette might be worth checking out. It’s located in Demotte, Indiana, and can be spotted here on eBay, where 41 bids have already taken the price up to $40,100.
One mystery surrounding this Corvette is which powerplant it originally came from the factory with. Under the hood presently is a 1962 date-code 327, which will still start even after almost 50 years of sitting. However, the fenders are wearing the Fuel Injection badges, so there’s a possibility this one was equipped with one of the coveted 283 FI offerings. It stands to reason that the born-with transmission was a stick-shift, as the clutch pedal remains, although the present component is of the automatic variety.
Pre-1976, the exterior was resprayed white, with the seller uncertain of the ‘Vette’s original color. A few areas of Crown Sapphire are said to be visible in some of the less conspicuous areas, so perhaps that’s what the body was wearing when the car left St. Louis. The body panels appear to still be in overall good condition, although the paint shows fading in some areas, including on the hood and trunk.
A few cracks in the dash are mentioned, but the interior appears to be in good shape for the most part, and if the seat upholstery is original, the listed mileage of 55,885 could be accurate. Both a hardtop and soft top are included, with a fun relic being the sales sticker from the car show back in ’76 still attached to the windshield.
The frame and underside are stated to be in nice condition and rust-free, with a few photos from down below seeming to help back up this claim. With a pair of Cherry Bomb-style mufflers as part of the exhaust system, that small block probably still emits a mean rumble, even after it sat for nearly five decades. What are your thoughts on this 1959 Chevrolet Corvette?
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Comments
These are great cars in my mind and this is a good example of the late ’50s models. Might consider putting a decent exhaust on it as the Cheery Bombs are on the bottom of the list of mufflers that are supposed to give you more power. They take HP away, not improve it. There is a ’60 here in town that I get a chance to drool over when I go to NAPA for supplies.
There’s probably more Corvette experts than there are Corvettes.
Seems that documenting what this car was born with would add (or decrease…) value
Back to a fuelie or a traditional carb, as long as this car gets fixed up and back on the road to more car shows it’ll be a win. Hopefully whatever work is done to it by the future owner, it’s done with quality and love.
Shawn: I’m not sure what you mean by a “traditional carb”. The carburetor shown is a “C” series Carter AFB, which is the correct carb for a 327/300HP engine that was available in 1962. Also, just a quick comment about the authors note regarding fuel injection. The 62 Corvette was not offered with a 283 fueler, they were 327 cu. in. with 360 HP when injected. Other than that, my only other comment would be that it needs too much work for the price. $28,000 t0 $30,000 seems about right.
Not sure whether you saw the whole picture or not, but the engine is said to be a ‘62 however the car is a ‘59.
I drove a ’58 a few years ago and it was truck. Looked great tho! I get the whole resto-mod thing if you want to drive ’em.
That must of been one terrifying ride home from the auction to park it and never drive it again 😆
Probably already a hair high on price but it’s a nice project.
Make it safe, detail it, install some vintage speed equipment and a 4spd, then drive it. The world doesn’t need more over restored cars that are only driven from the garage to a show, then back.
Steve R
I have to agree. Just have to.
I also agree – this one is an excellent candidate to just drive the snot out of it. Do some track days, hit every road rally – and just go have fun with it. Like you said, the world doesn’t need any more trailer queens.
Agreed, it was a lot more fun when we didn’t care so much about perfect. They weren’t perfect when they left the factory, they were just new.
I agree, too. My wife’s next husband can spend the insurance money on paint.
Very very nice ’59, I think its not an original Fuelie going by the tach redline, kinda low even for the lower horse F.I. motor. The radio is not factory original , I’m not a purist snob and this C1 would suit me just fine but I’d definitely get a 4 speed for it if it were mine. I like it , the price may be a bit ambitious but its worth what whoever is willing to pay for it. Wish it was me.
It’s very unlikely this one was born with FI. 5500 RPM Tach – which could have been replaced at some time, indicates it was likely a hydraulic lifter car. The generator is on the wrong side – but again could have been changed with the engine. Can’t see the left side of the core support, which should have an opening for the FI air intake.
It’s a pretty straight car. Fix the brakes, make sure the steering works, exhaust, any other mechanicals, and drive it. It’s a little steep for what it is, but it will be a good driver.
He drove it two hours home, so I can understand why he never drove it again. Those straight axle Corvettes rode and drove like a wagon with no suspension. They were not fun to drive IMO but I have to admit they look so cool that it makes you want one. The fun thing about Barn Finds for us who are beyond being able to do any more restorations is imagining what we would do with the cars, so my imaginary resto on this one is to make it mechanically good, install one of the aftermarket FI systems since it has the emblem on the fenders, paint back to original light green color, get original wheel covers and white wall tires, then attend a few cruiseins and shows. BTW, I always wonder why a Corvete ad has to say “two door”.
I’ve had two C2’s, a C5 and now a 2016 Z06. I restored my 1967 427-435 L71 to NCRS Top Flight and restored a 1954 early red car for someone else. Once you do that you hate to drive them. I’m happy driving my C7. It starts every time, I don’t mind putting miles on it, and once you’re in it, you’re comfortable. I still love the C1’s – even though I have a hard time fitting into them and C2’s – but I’d only want a driver at this point.
Interesting hood where someone grafted what looks like a ‘65- ‘66 big block looking piece in it. A good candidate for a decent driver but too much dough I think. First Vette I ever rode in was my BIL’s white w/red interior ‘60 270hp model he bought new. He drove this, his only car, in MN for 3 years and well, that didn’t work so well.
for that kind of $$$, I’d buy a 36 3W restomod finished.
Drove home and then found out about the screwed on vin plate…..that’s not correct is it ?