autoevolution
 

"Barn Find" 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie Rescued After 49 Years of Neglect

1959 was an important year for the Corvette. The C1 received a turquoise convertible top, the cabin was treated to a black interior option and a storage bin for the dashboard, and the chrome strips from the ’58 were thankfully removed.
1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber 56 photos
Photo: collinsbrosjeep.com
1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber1959 Chevrolet Corvette Fuelie "barn find" rescued after 49 years of slumber
Only 9,670 units were built for the 1959 model year, and at that time, the most affordable specification retailed at $3,875. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $34,142 in today’s money or the sticker price of the most affordable Camaro with V8 power.

This fellow here, however, is very special. Not only does it feature Rochester fuel injection – introduced for 1957 with 290 horsepower on tap – but this is a one-owner car and a barn find to boot. Dennis Collins and his team of “rescuers” got the C1 out for the first time in 49 years, and the odometer shows 51,130 miles (82,286 kilometers) from new. Interestingly, the original bill of sale still exists.

The first owner, a certain Mr. Shepherd, bought the car brand-new in Atlanta after trading his '54 Corvette. Currently listed on Collins’ website for $39,800 or approximately ten times the 1959 price, the C1 needs a lot of tender loving care both inside and out.

Only the wheels and tires have been replaced because both were beyond repair, but the bodywork, engine compartment, interior, and the hardtop need extensive restoration from a 'Vette professional or a specialized shop.

“Rolls and steers easily” is probably the best description for this unloved C1 survivor, a Corvette that had to be winched out of a barn because of the engine’s poor condition. The 283 isn't exactly hard to fix thanks to its simplicity, but reconditioning what can be saved and fitting replacement components are huge undertakings.

Be it a rotisserie-style restoration with utmost attention to detail or a restomod, this 1959 'Vette is the perfect starting point thanks to the "very clean, straight, solid dry chassis." The original wheels, hubcaps, and the spare tire aren’t included in the sale.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories