1959 Chevrolet Corvette

283 CI 230HP

Automatic

J59S108275

Clear

This Corvette was sitting in a shed in my hometown in Idaho since 1972. I bought it about three years ago with the intention of restoring it. After I got it home and started checking it out it became clear that this car was in quite original condition and had special meaning to me. I bought several Corvette specialty books including Nolan Adam’s book, the NCRS Technical and Judging Guide and the 1958-1960 Corvette Restoration Handbook. In the latter book the author suggested that I do nothing to the car until I fully understood the condition of the car and determined what was original and what was not. I was reading on page 9 where I discovered a unique feature on my car (windsplit molding screw) that made me decide to undertake a complete assessment of the car before I did anything else. After my assessment I decided that because of its original condition I liked it better unrestored than I would if it were restored. I have thoroughly enjoyed documenting what I discovered, tidying up a few items and taking it to a few Show & Shines where it is always a big hit. Now I am ready to sell it, move on and let someone else decide what to do with it. There is a popular series of books consisting of short stories about barn find cars. After getting some prompting I started corresponding with the author. According to his reply the following story is likely to appear in his next “.in the Barn” book. It is also scheduled to be in an upcoming issue of a major Corvette periodical. As Delivered I believe this is how the car was delivered from the factory: Snow crest White Exterior Red interior 283 V8, 230 HP Base Engine Powerglide Transmission Deluxe Heater Wonderbar Radio Park Brake Alarm Courtesy Light Hardtop Only-No Soft Top No Sun visors Idaho Corvette Story In the summer of 1959, a week before my eleventh birthday, I was riding with my mom in our 1957 Chevy Bel Air through the small rural southern Idaho town where I grew up. Our farm was on the outskirts of town and a trip to the store was always something to look forward to. As we passed the Chevrolet dealer my heart missed a beat. There in the middle of the showroom was a new 1959 Corvette. After a little pleading my mother pulled over so I could have a closer look. In 1959 the only place I could see a hot rod or an exotic car like a Corvette was by looking at a magazine in the Rexall Drug store a few blocks down the street. When I walked into the showroom I was greeted by Elwood Hedrick. His son, Tom, was a friend from my fourth grade class so I had been to his house a few times. Since my parents had bought their 1957 Chevy from Mr. Hedrick a few years earlier, I got VIP treatment. The Corvette glowed with its white paint job and red interior. He opened the driver’s door and invited me to slide into the seat. Nothing compared to what I was feeling inside. It was like looking at all my presents under the Christmas tree, only better. The 1959 Corvette had the most beautiful dash and steering wheel I had ever seen in a car. I still feel the same way about it today. As I looked around the interior I noticed the Powerglide shifter. Even at eleven years old I knew an automatic was not as cool as a manual but it didn’t matter. I was sitting in a real Corvette. When I got back in the car with my mom I told her that I just got to sit in my dream car. She said maybe some day I would have one of my own. I didn’t know how quickly her words would come true. A week later while opening my birthday presents, there it was—an AMT 3 in 1, 1/25 scale 1959 Corvette model car kit. My dream had come true, well kind of. The kit started out plain white to match the one in the showroom but was later painted orange and received tear drop spotlights, sunken antennas, decals, lake pipes and everything else that was included in the box. This model car was the beginning of many years of model car building and my lifelong interest in cars. I never did see that white Corvette cruising the streets of our small town but a few years later I saw a black one just like it with red interior. I always wondered what happened to the white one. In high school I worked for my brother-in-law Steve at his American gas station. I loved working there and enjoying the privileges of working on customer’s cars and tinkering with my own car, a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria. I got to wash new cars that the Ford dealer brought over when they were too busy. I remember late at night washing one of the first Mustangs that came to our town before most people had ever seen one. One time my best friend, Wes, who also worked at the gas station, told me that he got to replace the battery and shocks on a black ’59 Corvette. I remembered that day in the showroom several years earlier. **** Fast forward to the summer of 2010. I was 62 years old and was returning to my hometown to attend a family reunion. My whole family was there plus my new son-in-law, Robert. As we were sitting around one day I told him about an old wrecking yard on the edge of town. It was full of mostly ‘50s, ‘60s and some ‘70s cars and didn’t show much sign of activity. When I was in high school it was operated by a man who really didn’t seem to like high school kids…well me anyway. It was now owned by his son who relied on the junkyard’s past glory and was selective about who got to look around. My old gas station friend Wes, from many years earlier, knew the owner and got us permission to visit. We spent much of the afternoon walking up and down rows of classics from the past. What a glorious summer afternoon that only a car guy would understand. Eventually the owner came out and asked if we had found anything interesting. For some reason I recounted my story from 1959 and my visit to the Chevy dealer. He didn’t offer a reply and accompanied us as we finished our tour. As we walked toward the front gate he hesitated then said “Follow me, I have something you might be interested in”. We entered the door of a shed that had been remodeled and enlarged several times. Before us were piles of collectibles, some car-related, some not. It was dark inside and the only light streamed in through gaps in the siding. We approached an enormous safe that previously resided in the bank building downtown. Just beyond it was total darkness. I was instructed to reach up high and twist the single light bulb that hung above my head. I was totally unprepared for what I was about to see. As the bulb illuminated the end of the shed, there before me was unmistakably an old Corvette. The color was obscured by years of accumulation of fine dust that had sifted in through the gaps in the siding. My first indication of the color was when I noticed cat tracks across the trunk lid. The car was black. It was a black 1959 Corvette with red interior. The shed allowed me only the slightest amount of room to slide along the driver’s side for a closer look. When I saw that classic steering wheel and dash my thoughts went back to 1959—but then I noticed something else… a Powerglide shifter. **** Back in the 1959, sales orders for new cars were written by hand and then typed up by a secretary and then mailed to a district sales office where they might get retyped and then sent to the factory where everything was entered manually again. There was plenty of room for error. So after weeks of waiting, when Fred Axxxxxxx’s 1959 Corvette arrived at the dealership, it was Snowcrest White, not Tuxedo Black. Although white was a nice color, he had ordered black and he wanted black. He refused to take delivery so it was put on display in the showroom. After a few days of driving past the showroom Fred changed his mind. At least it had the Powerglide he’d ordered. A little more than two years after taking possession of his pride and joy, things went bad. A terrible engine noise was followed by total silence. A mechanic at the dealership delivered the bad news. A valve had let go and hit a piston. Not only was the piston and valve damaged but so was the block and head. The dealer advised him that he could wait four weeks for a factory replacement engine or accept an alternative. A warehouse in Salt Lake City had a brand new 1961 Chevrolet 283 V8 long block designated for a passenger car. It even had power pack heads that made it identical to his damaged 230-hp engine. The dealer said they could have the new engine shipped and installed in two weeks or less. Fred agreed to the solution but came up with another idea. Since the car would be sitting at the dealership for a week waiting for the engine to arrive, why not paint it black during the wait? Two weeks later Fred was back on the road driving the car he had originally ordered, a Tuxedo Black 1959 Corvette. **** In 1968 Joe Vxxxxxxxx was in the market for a sports car. He had saved his money during high school and intended to head off to Idaho State University in style. After many years of faithful service, Fred’s Corvette was ready for a new owner, so in a few days it was headed for Pocatello, Idaho with Joe at the wheel. While attending college Joe worked at St. Anthony hospital. After college Joe was ready to start a new career at a military hospital in San Diego, California. Since a wife had been added along the way, storage space in the Corvette was at a premium. The couple considered trading it for something with more room but the Corvette won out in the end. Joe bought a luggage rack from a newer Corvette. He cut it down to fit the trunk, drilled four holes, and soon they had room for another suitcase. A year later the couple returned to Idaho to visit family. The old Corvette was tired and blowing smoke out the draft tube and a baby was on the way. The Corvette had to go. In a small southern Idaho town, a tired old Corvette was a tough sell. The only taker was Dave, whose dad owned the local wrecking yard. He had always wanted a Corvette, so the car had a new home. In 1971 Dave was an accomplished drag racer but wanted a classic to restore some day. A 1959 Corvette was not really a classic because it was only 12 years old, but something about it appealed to him, and now he owned one. He drove the car a little during that fall and into spring just to check it out. Sure enough, it blew smoke, but the car was complete and would be a good candidate for restoration. He threw the luggage rack behind the shed and patched up the holes in the trunk. He soon decided that he didn’t have the time for such a large undertaking. There was an empty shed on the property, so after dismounting the Hollywood mag wheels and after putting on a set of “rollers” the Corvette went inside. That was the spring of 1972. Over the years the shed that housed the Corvette got crowded with other treasures. First, were potato sack scales followed by a safe from a local bank. Finally, the shed was too small to hold everything, so it got a major addition, then another addition and yet another. Eventually there was only a man door and there would be no way to remove the Corvette without tearing the siding from the shed and removing most of the contents. **** Back to 2010 and the junk yard tour. After briefly checking out the old Corvette I knew I had to have it. This was the worst mistake a potential Corvette buyer could make but I didn’t care. I was certain it was the black Corvette I had seen several times during my youth and I wanted it. We struck a deal, but I was told it would take about two weeks to dismantle the shed and remove the contents. Dave would call me when the Corvette was ready to be pulled from the shed. He gave me the original title he received when he bought the car from Joe. It was never retitled, so that meant I would be the third titled owner. In the days that followed, I planned out how I would document removing the car from the shed. It would be an epic tale suitable for a PBS documentary. Then came the phone call. The Corvette was out of the shed, washed and ready for pickup. WHAT!! Trailering the car to my shop in Boise made up for the disappointment of not getting to personally extract it from its 38-year resting place. I was towing a barn-find 1959 Corvette! I became used to getting a “thumbs up” as cars passed on the highway. A lady pulled up beside me waving me to stop. I thought I had a flat tire on the trailer. She had to tell me the story about the 1959 Corvette her mother had when she was in high school. After getting the car home the work began. A cat had made the interior his home for many years. Mice had taken up residence in the glove box, trunk, and on top of the intake manifold. What a great deal for the cat. While cleaning out the trunk I noticed the cardboard trunk panel was drooping down. I wasn’t prepared for what I would see behind the panel—white paint. A few days later I got a telephone call from Dave at the wrecking yard. He was calling to make sure I got home safely. He also wanted to make sure I knew that the Corvette did not have the correct engine. My heart sank because “original motor” spells “gold” to a Corvette collector. Now I was going to pay for my impulsive actions. He said that if I checked the block stamp I would find that the engine was from a 1961 Chevrolet passenger car. Then came the good news. When he bought the car in 1971 the seller gave him the original engine. It had remained with the car its entire life. He asked me if I wanted it. The next weekend I quickly headed back to the wrecking yard. I followed Dave out to the side of the shed. There was the original engine. A few yards away was the disgarded luggage rack. Near that were the Hollywood mag wheels with BF Goodrich Silvertown dual whitewall tires. Things were looking up. A short time later the engine, luggage rack and mags were retrieved and securely loaded in the back of my SUV. The engine stamp identified it as a 1959 Corvette 230-hp block assembled on June 2, 1959. This matched up with the VIN that indicated the car was assembled approximately June 12, 1959. It also matched up with my visit to the Chevy dealer in July 1959. On November 11, 2010 I prepared to fire up the Corvette for the first time in 38 years. I replaced the Atlas battery that was installed by my buddy when we were in high school. The gas tank and carburetor looked like new inside, thanks to Dave, who had drained the gas in 1972. After a little coaxing the 283 sprang to life. Nut shells and mouse droppings blew out the tail pipes, followed by chunks of rusty muffler baffles. I drilled out the crude bondo plugs on the trunk and reinstalled the luggage rack just like it would have been in 1971. Occasionally, I see a car for sale that says “a no-story car”. To me the story is as good as the car. I have several old cars and of all them have a story about as good as the one I have just told. When I walk around my old Corvette I see the dealer’s script on the trunk and the 1968 Idaho license plate with a 1972 sticker. I see an Idaho State University parking sticker dated 1968. I see another parking permit for St. Anthony Hospital and another one for the San Diego Naval Air Station dated 1971. When I see the 1971 Corvette luggage rack on the trunk I think of a young couple headed off to California to seek their fortune. I still have the 1959 Corvette model car I got for my eleventh birthday. I finally got the real one just like my mother prophesied as we drove away from the dealership. The original owner, Fred Axxxxxx, will never know the impact of his decision to order a Powerglide. That choice is probably what saved this Corvette from the hands of a hot rodder. Except for a few wear items like shocks, battery, plugs, wires, and tires, the car is quite original with the bonding strips intact and no signs of major body damage. . In the corner of my shop is an engine stand with the original 283 block that failed in 1961. It is bored out .80 over to clean up the damage when the piston met a valve. One day it may go back home. End of Story Follow up to the Story My first inclination was to restore the car so I bought on EBay a set of original hubcaps since this was about the only major item missing from the car. I probably overpaid for these but I wanted hubcaps that would match a fresh restoration. They are virtually perfect and are the best set I have ever seen. After another year of doing nothing other than reading restoration books I decided to leave the car unrestored but make it dependable so I could drive it to local show & shines. During all these processes I was very careful to preserve the original fasteners and preserve original finishes and patina as much as possible in order to minimize disturbing any factory marking that may still exist under the remaining grease and road film. I recently rebuilt and installed the original 283 that failed in 1961. It is bored out “80” over to clean up the damage when the piston met a valve. It looks like it never came out except the new orange paint on the block and heads. Other engine parts were lightly degreased and with a few exceptions no other finishes were altered. Rebuild of the original engine included: “80” over pistons Reconditioned rods Forged crankshaft was polished (didn’t need turned) New valves, springs and hardware Added hardened valve seats New camshaft, timing chain and gears New oil pump Original water pump rebuilt Original carburetor rebuilt Wheel bearings packed Original brake wheel cylinders honed with new kits Radiator serviced and sealed but not painted Transmission front and rear seals Points, condenser, cap, rotor, wires and plugs Original gas tank and gas line cleaned Original Parts and Condition (To the best of my knowledge) The body does not show evidence of a collision and the bonding strips appear to be original Gaps on doors, hood, trunk are even. Passenger door hinge bushings are loose and as a result the door sags a little. Doors, trunk and hood open and close smoothly, solidly and have nice fit. Engine as described above Powerglide Transmission Differential is grease caked and looks like it has never been touched. The round differential ratio ID tag is sticking out of the grease. Powerglide style driveshaft The windshield and drivers door glass are original. The passenger door glass was replaced a long time ago. All bumpers, grille, chrome trim, emblems and stainless steel. Three, what appear to be original, T3 headlights, one looks like a replacement a long time ago Tail light lenses, parking lenses, screws Antenna with correct mounting hardware outside and inside the trunk with grounding strap and attachment bracket Gas tank looks like new inside but is original. Lug wrench and attachment clip Wiring harnesses Rebound straps are intact Rear spring clamps Frame and all metal parts on the underside have original finishes and have surface rust as shown in the photos. No evidence of any heavy pitted or scaled rust (with the exception of the exhaust system) since this car spent most of its life is the desert of Southern Idaho All suspension, steering parts, differential, springs look undisturbed Inside and outside mirrors Steering wheel, column, turn signal arm and horn button Door panels, knobs, handles and trim Fresh air vent duct and clamp Tachometer drive and cable Gauges, faces, needles and glass in very good condition Brake pedal pad and gas peddle Dog bone wheels Plywood spare tire cover with foam strips on inside Dog bone wheel in the spare tire well Spinner hub caps (mint/near mint condition) bought on EBay Blackout overspray on hood latches, hinges, strikers Seat belts Shifter and knob Ash tray Parking brake Brake lines and hoses Steel fuel line from tank to fuel pump Numerous grounding straps Body bolts and shims Virtually all weatherstripping is intact Operation Rebuilt engine runs like a new engine Transmission initially slipped a few times when shifting into second gear under hard acceleration but is doing less now. I haven’t tried any additives or adjustments. Wonderbar radio does not make any sound but is complete and clean Headlights, dimmer switch, tail lights, turn signals, park lights, license plate light all work with the exception of one headlight Windshield wipers work but move slowly Heater functions seem to all operate but moden cables are stiff. Speedometer may work but the cable is frozen up and disconnected Fuel gauge, amp gauge, water temp gauge and oil pressure gauges all work Tachometer works Horn does not work but everything is in tact Windows roll up and down but are very stiff and need assistance Door locks, glove box lock and trunk lock work properly Parking brake works Cowl vent works Clock doesn’t work but is all there, complete and clean Cigarette lighter doesn’t work Ignition switch works in all positions Casting Numbers, Casting Dates, Block Stamp, VIN I have used several reference books to confirm the correctness or incorrectness of parts. Some of these books conflict each other so this list is correct to the best of my knowledge Body VIN J59S108,275 = assembled about June 12, 1959 Engine block casting number 375 6519 Engine block casting date A139 = January 13, 1959 Engine block stamp F 602DG = Flint June 2, 230hp Powerglide Engine block casting numbers on back G5 519 Intake manifold 3746829 A139 = January 13, 1959 WCFB Carter Carburetor with 2818S brass tag Main body 6-1396 Air horn 0-208 Throttle body – can’t read Three step oil pan 7/8” Oil drain plug A in circle Thermostat housing 3711268 Water pump no top outlet curved nipple 3736493 C 8 59 = March 8 1959 Fan pulley 3724816 Fan 17.5 OD Harrison radiator 3141674 59D = April 1959 Generator 1102043 9 B 4 = February 4, 1959 Generator pulley 3 5/8”OD Distributor 1110946 Distributor vacuum advance stamp 163 Windshield wiper motor Ignition resistor looks period correct Oil pressure line with loop Ignition shielding with four original three replacement wing bolts Water temperature sending unit AC-MADE IN USA-12 VOLTS Crankshaft pulley 3756328 Drivers exhaust manifold 3749965 E28 = May 28th Pass exhaust manifold 3750556 E16 = May 16th Horn drivers side 9000352 Horn passengers side 9000351 Horn relay 1116781 stamped 781 Brake master cylinder 5456022, Cap 5300880 Powerglide: Main body 3742350 C269 = March 26, 1959 Center 3742349 C309 = March 30, 1959 Rear extension 3726595 Can’t read date casting Right side cover 3771724 Can’t read date casting Not Original (To the best of my knowledge) Blue Monroe shock absorbers replaced by my buddy in about 1964 Mufflers replaced a long time ago but pipes may be original Tires are recent Coker BF Goodrich to replace rotted ones on car Reproduction radiator cap Reproduction hoses and clamps Replacement steel fuel line from fuel pump to carburetor with in-line filter Black carpet looks period correct but was presumably installed in 1961 when the car was painted black. Black trunk mat is marked correctly and looks original but may have been installed when the car was painted black in 1961 New Optima red top battery with disconnect Positive battery cable replaced a long time ago Cut down luggage rack from C2 circa Corvette Wiper blades replaced a long time ago Replacement push-on rubber hose and fittings from fuel line to fuel pump I think the air cleaner is off a 1960 but this may have been a late 59 change. It now has a paper element. Heads - rectangle with triangle = 230 hp power pack heads, These look correct on the outside but came off the 1961 engine so have non-matching part numbers under the valve covers. Voltage regulator replaced many years ago Starter made in USA black paint but stamp is 1107665 8 G 3 = July 3, 1958 that seems too early Solenoid stamp black Bakelite but stamp is 1114356 AC Fuel pump replaced with correct looking AC #4913 many years ago Transmission is painted silver. I read it should be black. Not sure what that means. Maybe rebuilt a long time ago. Missing Parts Jack, hook and jack base Jack retainer clip and screw One tail light screw Spare tire cover retainer cup and screws One stainless steel dash end trim piece Neutral safety switch, relay and wire Battery hold-down The dash pad and headliner are a favorite food for mice and are totally gone. The missing dash pad revealed wax pencil mark #216 marking on dash. The factory numbered bodies 1 through 500 on the assembly line and then started over again. Starter support bracket Also Included The original second title from 1968. It is signed off by the second owner and me. It was returned to me by the State of Idaho and stamped “Void’. The Disclaimer This listing is accurate to the best of my ability and knowledge but I do not guarantee the accuracy of anything in this listing. If you have concerns then ask questions or better yet come look or hire an appraiser to come look before you bid. Attention Bidders! No bidders with no bidding history and without five positive feedback reports. No bidders with negative feedback without prior approval from me. No bidders without a confirmed shipping address. Bidders outside the USA OK if confirmed USA shipping address. Available but NOT Included Also available to the winner but not included in the auction: The set of original Hollywood brand mag-style wheels from about 1964-1966. These were presumably installed by the first owner. Centers appear to be aluminum and rims are chrome plated steel. Cast on back side is Hollywood Wheel Disc Inc, LA, Ca Includes some lug nut locks and all the center knock offs and screws. Tires are BF original Goodrich Silvertown dual whitewall tires. These tires look very cool and are worth saving but I would only use them for display purposes. These wheels and tires were on this car until it was parked in 1971 and have stayed with car its whole life. Good luck bidding \