1959 CORVETTE

The 1959 Corvette was the same as the 1958 except for minor improvements

• The fake hood louvers and vertical chrome strips on the trunk were removed.
• Interior changes included redesigned bucket seats and door panels, a fiberglass package tray under the sissy bar and concave gauge lenses
• A tachometer, outside rearview mirror, seat belts, dual exhaust and electric clock were among the standard features.
• Sunvisors became optional
• New concave instrument lenses reduced reflections
• The optional four-speed manual transmission had a T-shaped reverse-lockout shifter with a white plastic shifter knob
• There were seven exterior body colors offered:
  • Tuxedo Black (Black or White soft top)
  • Classic Cream (Black or White soft top)
  • Frost Blue (White or Blue soft top)
  • Crown Sapphire (White or Turquoise soft top)
  • Roman Red (Black or White soft top)
  • Snowcrest White (Black, White, Tan, or Blue soft top)
  • Inca Silver (Black or White soft top)
• Interior colors were
  • Blue
  • Red
  • Turquoise
  • Black (for the first time)
• The armrests and door handles were in a different position, the seats had a new shape and a shelf was added

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• The serial number (Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN) was located on a plate on the left front door hinge pillar
• Serial numbers ranged from J59S100001 to J59S109670

Position	Character	Description
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

1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 10	Carburetion and 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

• Cars with optional four-speed manual transmissions used the same engine code suffixes as cars with three-speed manual transmissions.
• The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
• The Fisher Body Style Number 59-867 identifies a Corvette.
• The body number is the production serial number of the body.
• The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
• The vinyl upholstery was available in Red, Black, Blue, or Turquoise.
• The paint number indicates the color combination.
• The seven 1959 Corvette acrylic lacquer exterior colors were:
  • 502A = Frost Blue
  • 503A = Tuxedo Black
  • 504A = Crown Sapphire
  • 506A = Roman Red
  • 508A = Classic Cream
  • 509A = Inca Silver
  • 510A = Snowcrest White
• The body side cove could be painted Silver or White

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
J800	867	1959 Corvette 2-dr. Roadster 2 passenger	$3875	2912 lb	9670

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	283 cid
Bore & Stroke	3.87 x 3.00
Compression ratio	9.50:1				10.5:1
Brake horsepower	230 @ 4800 rpm	245	250	270	290
Main bearing	five
Carburetor	Carter four-barrel Type WCFB Model 2816	Two four-barrel carbs	Rochester fuel injection	two four-barrel carbs	Rochester fuel injection

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission	Optional Manual Transmission	Automatic Transmission
Close-ratio three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Two-speed Powerglide transmission (optional)

CHASSIS

Wheelbase	102 inches (2.591 m)
Overall length	177.2 inches (4.501 m)
Overall width	72.8 inches (1.849 m)
Overall height	51.6 inches (1.318 m)
Front tread	57 inches (1.448 m)
Rear tread	59 inches (1.499 m)
Frame	Welded steel box-section X-braced type
Ground Clearance	6 inches (15 cm)
Wheels	15" steel bolt-on wheels
Tires	6.70x15
Front suspension	Independent, unequal-length A-arms, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar, tubular shocks
Rear suspension	Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, tubular shock absorbers
Steering	Saginaw worm-and-ball, 17:1 ratio, 3.7 turns to lock; 38.5 foot turning circle
Rear axle type	Hypoid semi-floating
Brakes	Four-wheel hydraulic, internal-expanding, 11-inch diameter drums, 157 square inches effective lining area (121 square inches with optional sintered metallic linings)
Standard 3-speed axle ratio	3.70:1
Powerglide 2-speed axle ratio	3.55:1
Optional axle ratios	4:11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPO	Additional cove color	$16.15
RPO 101	Heater	$102.25
RPO 102	Signal-seeking AM radio	$149.80
RPO 107	Parking brake alarm	$5.40
RPO 108	Courtesy lights	$6.50
RPO 109	Windshield washer	$16.15
RPO 261	Sunshades	$10.80
RPO 276	Five 15 x 5.5-inch wheels	N/C
RPO 290	6.70 x 15 White sidewall tires	$31.55
RPO 313	Powerglide automatic transmission	$199.10
RPO 419	Auxiliary hardtop	$236.75
RPO 426	Electric power windows	$59.20
RPO 469	283-cid 245-hp dual four-barrel carb V-8 engine	$150.65
RPO 469C	283-cid 270-hp dual four-barrel carburetor V-8 engine	$182.95
RPO 579	V-8 283-cid 250-hp fuel-injection engine	$484.20
RPO 579D	V-8 283-cid 290-hp fuel-injection engine	$484.20
RPO 473	Power-operated folding top mechanism	$139.90
RPO 675	Positraction axle with optional ratio	$48.45
RPO 684	Heavy-duty brakes and suspension	$425.05
RPO 685	Four-speed manual transmission	$188.30
RPO 686	Metallic brakes	$26.90

HISTORICAL NOTES

LITERATURE & LINKS