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

• Engine serial number

• 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

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES