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1959 Specs

More About the 1959 Corvette
1959 Chevrolet Corvette C1 in Snowcrest White

1959 Chevrolet Corvette C1 in Snowcrest White

Close1959 Chevrolet Corvette C1 in Snowcrest White

Body Specs

Wheelbase:    102.00 inches:
Front Track:    57.00 inches
Rear Track:    59.00 inches:
Length:    177.2 inches
Width
Including Bumpers / Moldings: 		   72.8 inches:
Width
Not Including Bumpers / Moldings: 		   70.3 inches:
Front Overhang:    33.0 inches
Rear Overhang:    42.2 inches:
Height (at Windshield):    49.2 inches
Height (Loaded, Hard Top):    51.9 inches
Height (Loaded, Folding Top):    52.0 inches
Hood Opening:    Front (reverse alligator)
Finish (paint type):    Lacquer
Turning Diameter:    38.5 feet (right); 39.0 feet (left)
  wall - wall
  36.5 feet (right); 37.0 feet (left)
  curb - curb
Steering gear ratio:    16.3:1:
Steering Wheel Turns:    3.25:
Tire Size:    6.70-15 4 Ply Rating:
Tire Type:    Rayon
Three Speed Transmission:    1st Gear 2.21:1
  2nd Gear 1.32:1
  3rd Gear 1.00:1
  Reverse Gear 2.25:1
Four Speed Transmission Close Ratio:    1st Gear 2.21:1
  2nd Gear 1.66:1
  3rd Gear 1.31:1
  4th Gear 1.00:1
Axle Ratio:    3.70:1; Optional: 4.11:1, 4.56:1
  Automatic: 3.55:1
Transmission Synchromesh:   Three Speed: 2nd and 3rd Gears
  Four Speed: All Four Gears:

Weight

Shipping - Powerglide (Automatic) Transmission:    3,002 lb.
Curb - Powerglide (Automatic) Transmission
Shipping + fuel (107 lb.), water (38 lb.): 		   3,135 lb.
Loaded - Powerglide (Automatic) Transmission
(Two Passengers @ 150 lb. each): 		   3,405 lb.
Shipping - Three Speed (standard) Transmission:    2,900 lb.
Curb - Three Speed (standard) Transmission
Shipping + fuel (107 lb.), water (38 lb.): 		   3,033 lb.
Loaded - Three Speed (standard) Transmission
(Two Passengers @ 150 lb. each): 		   3,333 lb.
Optional Hard Top:    55 lb.
Weight Differentials
Heavy Duty Brakes, Suspension (Code 684):    +77 pounds
Limited Slip Differential:    +6 pounds
Dual Four Barrel Carburetors:    +17 pounds
Fuel Injection:    -7 pounds
Hardtop:   -2 pounds (Without Folding Top)
Hardtop:   +58 pounds (With Folding Top)
Sunshade:   +2 pounds (Pair)
Heater:   +20 pounds
Radio:   +16 pounds
Whitewall Tire:    +1 pound
Power Top:    +34 pounds
Four Speed Transmission:    +12 pounds
Automatic (Powerglide) Transmission:    +101 pounds
Power Windows:    +7 pounds
Windshield Washers:    +4 pounds
15-5 Wheels:    -2 pounds

Engine Specs

Type::    V8
Valve Location::    In Head:
Bore / Stroke::    3.875" / 3.00"
Displacement::    283 Cubic Inches:
Compression Ratio::    9.5 : 1:
Crankshaft Material::    Forged Steel:
Camshaft Material::    Cast Alloy Iron:
Oil Pump Type::    Gear:
Normal Oil Pressure:    35 psi @ 2,000 RPM:
Oil Pressure Gauge:    Electric:
Crankcase Oil Capacity (less filter):    5 Quarts:
Recommended Oil Grade:    Above 32°: SAE 20W, SAE 20 or SAE 10W-30
To 0°: SAE 10W or SAE 10W-30
Below 0°: SAE 5W or SAE 5W-20
Sustained high speed over 90°F - SAE 30 may be used:
Fuel Tank:    16.4 Gallons
Fuel Filter:    Strainer:
Fuel Pump:    Mechanical
Fuel Pressure:    5¼ - 6½ PSI:
Carburetor:    Carter 3756676 Single 4 barrel
Carburetor
Optional dual four barrel carburetors Code 469: 		   Carter 3744002 (front) / 3744004 (rear)
Special Camshaft: Carter 3741089 (front) / 3741090 (rear)
Cooling System Capacity:    16.5 Quarts (with heater)
15.5 Quarts (without heater):
Cooling System Frontal Area:    380 sq. in.
Radiator Cap Relief Pressure:    6 ¼ - 7 ¾ PSI:
Thermostat Type:    Choke
Thermostat Opening:    160° F
Battery:    Delco 1980458 (12 volt)
53 Amp hr. @ 120 hr.
Horsepower:
Standard Engine:    230 hp @ 4,800 RPM;
Torque: 300 lb-ft @ 3,000 RPM
Code 469A
(Two Four Barrel Carburetors): 		   245 hp @ 5,000 RPM;
Torque: 300 ft-lb. @ 3,800 RPM:
Code 469C
(Two Four Barrel Carburetors, Special Camshaft): 		   270 hp @ 6,000 RPM;
Torque: 285 lb-ft @ 4,200 RPM:
Code 579A Fuel Injection:    250 hp @ 5,000 RPM;
Torque: 305 lb-ft @ 3,800 RPM
Code 579B
(Special Camshaft): 		   290 hp @ 6,200 RPM;
Torque: 290 lb-ft @ 4,400 RPM:
Fuel Injection:
Manufacturer:    Rochester Products
Model:    7017200 (Code 579B, 283 hp)
Recommended Fuel:    Premium:
Fuel Pump:    Mechanical:
Fuel Pressure:    5 ¼ - 6 ½ PSI:
Inlet Manifold:    Cast Aluminum:
Air Cleaner Type:    Dry:
Air Meter Location:    Engine Left Side :
Plenum Chamber:    Integral With Inlet Manifold:
Ram Pipe Length:    12 Inches:
Fuel Induction:    Metered as Function of Air Flow:
Air / Fuel Ratio Control:    Vacuum Sensitive Diaphragm Located on Air Flow Meter:
Fuel Meter Pump Type:    Gear:
Fuel Meter Pump Location:    In Fuel Meter Assembly:
Fuel Meter Pump Drive:    Gear Driven by Flexible Shaft From Distributor:
Fuel Meter Pump Pressure:    300 PSI:
Injection Nozzles Quantity:    8:
Injection Nozzles Material:    Brass:
Injection Nozzles Location:    Mounted on Inlet Manifold Above Intake Ports:
Injection Nozzles Orifice Size - Fuel:    .0118 inch:
Injection Nozzles Insulation:    Bakelite:
Automatic Choke Type:    Electric, Time Temperature Type
Automatic Choke Location:    On Air Meter Assembly:
Automatic Choke Current Draw:    1 amp @ 70°
Automatic Choke Fast Idle Cam:    Yes:
Ignition System:
Coil:    Delco-Remy 1115091 (FI Engines: 11151007)
Coil current rating:    4 amps (engine stopped)
1.8 amps (engine running):
Breaker Gap:    .018"
Ignition Timing:    4° BTDC @ 600 RPM idle:
Ignition Timing Centrifugal Advance:    14 ° @ 1,500 RPM
28 ° @ 3,700 RPM (Maximum):
Ignition Timing Vacuum Advance
Standard Engine: 		   15° @ 15.5 inches Hg
Spark Plug:    AC 46:
Spark Plug Thread:    14 mm.
Spark Plug Torque:    20 - 25 lb.-ft.:
Spark Plug Gap:    .033 - .038 inch
Firing Order:    1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2:

1959 Corvette Options

RPO: Description: Production:    Price
101 Heater 8,909 (92.13%) $102.25
102 AM Radio, Signal Seeking 7,001 (72.40%) $149.80
107 Parking Brake Alarm 3,601 (37.24%) $5.40
108 Courtesy Lights 3,601 (37.24%) $6.50
109 Windshield Washers 7,929 (82.00%) $16.15
121 Radiator Fan Clutch 67 (0.69%) $21.55
1408 Blackwall Tires, 6.70x15 nylon n/a n/a
1408 Blackwall Tires, 6.70x15 nylon n/a n/a
1625 24 Gallon Fuel Tank n/a n/a
1625 24 Gallon Fuel Tank n/a n/a
261 Sunshades 3,722 (38.49%) $10.80
276 Wheels, 15x5.5 (5) 214 (2.21%) n/a
290 Whitewall Tires, 6.70x15 8,173 (84.52%) $31.55
313` Powerglide Automatic Transmission 1,878 (19.42%) $199.10
419 Auxiliary Hardtop 5,481 (56.68%) $236.75
426 Power Windows 587 (6.07%) $59.20
440 Two-Tone Exterior Paint 2,931 (30.31%) $16.15
469 283 cu. in. 245 hp Engine two 4 bbl. carburetors 1,417 (14.65%) $150.65
469C 283 cu. in. 270 hp Engine two 4 bbl. carburetors 1,846 (19.09%) $182.95
473 Power Operated Folding Top 661 (6.84%) $139.90
579 283 cu. in. 250 hp fuel injected Engine 175 (1.81%) $484.20
579D 283 cu. in. 290 hp fuel injected Engine 745 (7.70%) $484.20
675 Positraction Rear Axle 4,170 (43.12%) $48.45
684 Heavy Duty Brakes and Suspension 142 (1.47%) $425.05
685 4-Speed Manual Transmission 4,175 (43.17%) $188.30
686 Metallic Brakes 333 (3.44%) $26.90

Total Production: 9,670
Convertible: 9,670 (100.00%)

Notes: Base Corvette with 283 cu. in. 230 hp engine and three speed manual transmission: $3,875.00

Colors

Code Exterior Quantity Interior Soft Top Wheels
Tuxedo Black 1,594 (16.48%) Blue / Black / Red Black / White Black
Classic Cream 223 (2.31%) Black Black / White Black
Frost Blue 1,024 (10.59%) Blue / Red Blue / Black / White Black
Crown Sapphire 888 (9.18%) Turquoise Black / Turquoise / White Black
Roman Red 1,542 (15.95%) Black / Red Black / White Black
Snowcrest White 3,354 (34.68%) Blue / Black / Red / Turquoise Blue / Black / Turquoise Black
Inca Silver 957 (9.90%) Black / Red Black / White Black

Notes: 1959 was the only year a Turquoise soft top was available. Colors of exported Corvettes are unknown.

1959 Corvette