1959 Chevrolet Corvette$74,995

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Price: $74,995
Contact: View Original Ad from Hemmings
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Price Analysis: Good Deal, 17.0% below market avg. What's this?
Few cars inspire more romance than an early Corvette. Imagine peeling back the top on this gorgeous 1959 roadster and hitting the road for adventureand#44; the song of the cackling fuel-injected V8 behind youand#44; your best lady by your sideand#44; and everyone you pass wishing they were you. Motoring doesnt get much better than thisand#44; and resto-mods this good deserve to be driven and enjoyed regularly.<br /> <br /> OKand#44; so the body is fresh fiberglass by Downsand#44; but the look is classic early Corvetteand#44; perfect in detailing and proportionand#44; and elegantly styled by the best in the business during the 50s. The menu was extensive in 1959and#44; and while the light blue finish isnt quite authenticand#44; you have to admit that it looks awesomeand#44; especially with the white side cove. Subject to an extensive (and expensive) buildand#44; it is simply spectacular in person. Subtle and sophisticatedand#44; the light captures the essence of Corvette without being brash about it. Fiberglass work is show-qualityand#44; with surfaces that are far straighter and flatter than the factory was doing in 1959 and modern technology gives it a gloss that was only a fantasy back then. The chrome trunk straps were goneand#44; but theres still plenty of brightwork to give this Corvette real flashand#44; and all of it has been professionally restored to show standardsand#44; including the toothy front grille and intricate rear bumpers with exhaust outlets in their centers. If you didnt see those big wheelsand#44; you probably wouldnt even know this one was so extensively modifiedand#44; which is how the best customs always end up.<br /> <br /> The matching blue and white leather interior is almost as nice as the bodyworkand#44; with only light signs of use since it was restored. The buckets are firmand#44; and thanks to subtle side bolsters that keep the original look but add a little bit of supportand#44; theyre ideally suited for use in this Vette. The carpets are freshand#44; and the three-spoke steering wheel would look right at home in a vintage racerand#44; although its a bit fatter than 1959 specifications and sits on a tilt steering column. The door panels are beautifully rendered in two-tone blue vinyl with bright engine-turned inserts and stylish armrests that suggest someone at GM worked overtime to make them look so good. Modern Auto Meter gauges are comprehensiveand#44; with a cool carbon-fiber insert that fits in the original domed speedometers spot and puts everything in the drivers line of sight. Who says the 50s were about style over ergonomics? The radio is carbon-fiber panel with a Pioneer entertainment systemand#44; A/C ventsand#44; and the controls for the Vintage Air system. The trunk is also beautifully finished with more shiny blue paint and fresh carpets that are simple yet effective.<br /> <br /> Theres a small block under the hoodand#44; but nothing in 1959 looked like the Ram Jet 350 living there now. That tall intake manifoldand#44; gorgeous chrome valve coversand#44; and plenty of chrome distinguish the high-level Corvette engine from lesser small blocksand#44; and it runs even better than it looks. Modern accessoriesand#44; including the generator and A/C compressorand#44; spin on a serpentine belt setup and theres a giant aluminum radiator up front. A 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission makes for effortless high-speed cruising and the entire chassis has been reengineered to handle late-model Corvette suspension pieces and a 9-inch Ford out back. The exhaust burblesand#44; the 4-wheel disc brakes are effectiveand#44; and detailing is exceptional. The staggered 17-inch billet wheels and Yokohama rubber offer a clean look that suits the vintage Vette just fine.<br /> <br /> So dont worryand#44; puristsand#44; no real Corvettes had to die to build this incredible roadster. We wont telland#44; howeverand#44; so when the new owner takes it outand#44; nobody will be the wiser. The car is titled