Summary

Optioned with a top RPO 579D fuel-injected V8 engine, 4-speed transmission, posi-traction, two-tone paint. Attractive, high-quality older restoration, accompanied by excellent documentation from customer order to delivery and purchase.

Details

Finished in Inca Silver with white bodyside coves and a black interior, this 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is a factory RPO 579D fuel-injected car. Copies of original sale paperwork document this high-specification Corvette's origin, from the sales order placed with Don Allen Midtown Chevrolet on Broadway in New York by Stamford, CT, resident Donald S. Basin on February 7, 1959. Offering a 1954 Corvette in partial trade for his new car, Basim made extensive use of the Corvette order form, selecting the aforementioned RPO 579D V8 engine, plus a 4-speed manual transmission, posi-traction rear axle, special metallic brake linings and Michelin tires. While ordered with most of the top factory-available performance options for 1959, the Corvette was highly equipped with comfort and convenience items, including a Wonder Bar signal-seeking radio, parking brake alarm, courtesy lights, windshield washer, sun shades, an auxiliary hardtop, an accessory tonneau cover and winterization. On February 26, 1959, Basin took delivery of his highly optioned and equipped new Corvette. As offered, this legendary Fuelie continues to benefit handsomely from restoration to factory specification and appearance, followed by strictly limited mileage. Copies of original sale documents include the order form, dealer invoice, purchase invoice, notarized Bill of Sale, Connecticut registration receipt, dealer-issued Corvette owner card, the selling salesman's business card, and a Wonder Bar Radio Operating Instructions booklet. Likely one of the most highly optioned 1959 Corvettes in existence and currently available, this exciting example demonstrates the magic possible to knowledgeable Corvette buyers with just the flick of a pen on the order form. Despite the 1957 American Manufacturers Association (AMA) racing ban, chief Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov still managed to endow the rapidly maturing Corvette with a growing selection of race-worthy options. Among them was the Rochester fuel-injection system, engineered by John Dolza and introduced in 1957, which bought output of the top-specification RPO 579D 283ci engine to 290 factory-rated horsepower by 1959, exceeding the coveted one horsepower per cubic inch yardstick.