1959 info needed

[Mike Z.]

This is my first post so any help would be appreciated. About a year ago I purchased a 1959 Corvette for my wife - let's say for sentimental reasons because (unofficially) she is from the same vintage. Anyway, it's a beautifull car, owed previously by the same couple for over 40 years. It is mostly original but that does not include the engine or trans. I was hoping that based on the vin #, someone would be able to determine what the original engine and trans set up was and also if the vin would yeild the original color, options etc. All that asked, the vin# is:J59S104330. From what little I've been able to figure out from the various Corvette web sites, the car was built in mid January, 1959. The current color is Frost Blue with White Coves. We have a picture of the car going back to 1965 and at that time (although the picture is black & white), the car appears to be the same color as now. It was beautifully restored a few years back and the restoration did not change the paint or interior color (also blue). Eventually, I'd like to restore the engine and trans to "original" and/or "date correct" condition (I may be misusing these terms since all this is still new to me). If there is anyone who could assist/advise me as to how best to go about it I would be most gratefull. The idea is not to have the car so perfect as to make my wife afraid to drive it. We live in So Cal so it's pretty easy to find more than a few days to take it out for a little spin and put some smiles on peoples faces. Thanks in advance for any help that may come my way.
Mike

[Jack H.]

Re: 1959 info needed

There are no factory records for US built/delivered Corvettes prior to approximately 1977. The only real way to determine a given car's original configuration is by prior ownership tracing (long, laborious and typically winds up being stymied by deadend obstacles). The next best way is via 'forensic' techniques. That amount to looking for characteristics of the car that changed with certain factory options (like the red line on the tach) and PRESUME those characteristics haven't been changed by prior owners and actually point to a particular option configuration profile...

[Mike Z.]

Re: 1959 info needed

Thanks Jack. Yikes! So that means that what I really "know" about the car is going to be from 1963 on since that was the period of time it was owned by my friend. He doesn't recall the name or have any records about the previous owner but does have quite a few records involving the restoration of the car - including a "frame off" effort that went on over a few years. As I mentioned, the original engine or trans haven't been in the car since he owned it. That being the case, does it add value to the car to "restore" it to a "#'s correct/date correct" configuration? If so, how do I determine what a "correct date or #" is? Obviously, it would seem to follow that the car build date must be later than any of the part dates but is that really the case? Does it make any difference how much earlier a date is on any given part in order to make it "date correct" for a January '59 built car. BTW, did I determine the aprox build date correctly? Is there any way of narrowing that down further and, if so, would that help with any of the other stuff I'm now so preoccupied with?
Thanks again Jack - and anyone else who wants to jump in. I'm really in over my head and just trying to have some fun with this. Reading all the post and tech stuff is a bit overwhelming. Lot's of info out there - if I can just start piecing it together. . . . .

[Ken K.]

Re: 1959 info needed

vin# is:J59S104330

With your VIN, I'm ballparking the build date of your car to be the second week of February '59. Most likely the 10th or 11th.
Let see what the others think.
Ken

[Chuck L.]

Re: 1959 info needed

The NCRS Birthday Book will tell you for sure, or there are websites out there that should have it.

[James O.]

Re: 1959 info needed

in a way you are lucky because 59 is the last year before serial number of the car is stamped on the engine pad. that means you can "replicate" what the original motor might have been without restamping the pad. you just need to find a 519 block with a casting code preceding birthday by about 2 weeks to 2 months. the date stamp on the pad should correspond with the cast date code. you also have to learn about eng/trans suffixes etc. but its fun. then you build up from there on a good foundation. pm me and i can give help on where to find this info. also , there are many differences and expenses in the restoration process between restoring a base 230hp vs a fuelie which you should be aware of before you start.

[Rob M.]

Re: 1959 info needed

Hi Mike,

Welcome in the hobby of Corvette's and especailly 1959 Vette's (which I personally consider as one of the best years!!!) The first thing I suggest you to do is buy a NCRS Technical Judging Manual for 1958-1960. This document provide you a wealth of information on what is currently considered correct for your car and what traces and hints are out there to help you to determine original options and parts for your car.

The VIN of your car doesn't help you much on engine and transmission configuration but other details might provide some clues: e.g. certain holes in the inner fender might indicate a fuely engine or the red area on your tach does indicate solid lifters in the original engine limiting your choise of engines dramaticly. All these clues might unveil the pedigree of your car.

Also traces of original paint might be still out there (e.g. in the fuel tank area or in the glove compartment). Considered it a beautifull archeological adventure reveiling the history of your car.

Also you could attempt to find previous owner via decals on your car, paperwork, maintenance bills, DMV's or whatother sources available to you.

Last but not least, join a local NCRS chapter, you will soon find these consist of a bug of nice people always willing to help you out in your quest of pelling of the layers of mystery from your car!!! (THERE IS SO MUCH TO LEARN)

regards,
Rob Musquetier
The Netherlands

[Terry D.]

Re: 1959 info needed

Mike
First, welcome aboard, you will find a this board full of great people with a wealth of knowledge. That said a lot of your questions can be answered by doing a search through the archives. Second let me suggest you get a copy of the Judging Manual and a copy of the Service Manual (ST-12) both available at the NCRS store. Both are musts for someone trying to restore a C1. There are many other publications you will want to pick up as you go but these two are a must to start with. As to the answer to your questions, the vin number on C1's tells you the order number the car was built and that's all. No engine code, color code, nothing. The engine is very difficult to determine, unless it was a fueler. The tranny likewise with the exception of an automatic, newly welded clutch bracket might be a hint. As for color, pull the passenger seat out completely and see if there is a color written in grease crayon on the fiberglass that is between the seat and the trunk. If not there it might be on the other side in the trunk, check archives for exact location as my old brain does not recall at this time. If you find neither then you need to do a little digging under the dash for signs of overspray. You should be able to tell through this process. Hope this helps
Terry

[Tom D.]

Re: 1959 info needed

The above reference to "519" block means casting number 3756519. Find this on the left rear (driver's side rear top) on the many that were made. Same engine block (also called cylinder case) was used in many Chevrolets, so is not that hard to locate one. The harder part is finding a CASTING DATE, on the right side top (passenger side rear top). Decoding that is simple. For example, one CAST on this day in 1960 would have "A280". A-Jan, 28 is the day, and "0" represents 1960. A cast date of "A2860" would not be correct for a 1960 Corvette, but the A280 would be okay. (There is more to learn about this; For example, Corvettes made in January came with engines made in December, or even before that. This means a prior year date code.) NCRS judging looks for 6 months prior to car's "birthday".

A search of the archives in this web site will explain more about the "0" vs. "60", both representations of 1960 calendar dates. Same is true for "9" vs. "59" I am pretty sure.

When it comes to heads, learn about the end markings. I have a photo of a real 1960 Corvette head on my web-site. See the first web address below.

One other recommended document is also available from NCRS. It's Alan Colvin's "Chevrolet By The Numbers". Get (at least) the 1955-1959 edition.

Enjoy the search!

[Tom D.]

Re: 1959 info needed

http://midvette.homestead.com/engineheads.html

More direct route to the head photo mentioned above.

Tom

[Michael D.]

Re: 1959 info needed

vin# is:J59S104330...With your VIN, I'm ballparking the build date of your car to be the second week of February '59. Most likely the 10th or 11th....Let see what the others think.
Ken

I get Wednesday, February 11, 1959 without having to work on Saturday the 7th.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1959 info needed

Mike, get the books as they will answer most questions. You can order them online from the NCRS Store accessed in the blue bar at the top of the page.

IF your car has the original tachometer in it and the tach redline is 5500 RPM then your engine was the single four barrel, dual four barrel or fuel injection with hydraulic cam. If the redline is 6500 then the engine was dual four barrel (270 HP) or fuel injection (290 HP) with mechanical/solid valve train. Either of the fuel injected engines would have fuel injection scripts on the original front fenders and engine compartment traces of air cleaner mounting.

Good Luck!

Steve

[Mike Z.]

Re: 1959 info needed

Wow - my sincere thanks to all you guys for the help and suggestions. Obviously, the consensus is that I have some reading to do and I will get on that. It also sounds like I need to find an engine and trans that was mfg'd in Dec or Nov '58 but that it might be acceptable to go back as far as 6 months prior to the build date for the car to be considered as "date correct." Not that I'm really planning on having the car judged but only because if I'm going to do this, I might as well try to get it right - does it make any difference if I find an engine built with 2 months of the build date vs 6 months? In any case, what is the best way to locate an engine with a specific date code? By the way, the tires on the car are radials with wide whitewalls. I assume this was done either based on availability or desirability from a drivability standpoint (lot's of abilities involved). Is that a common and/or well advised alteration? Also, the radio is a "wonderbar" style but I'm guessing the innards have been redone (and probably the speaker too) since the sound is pretty good - at least with the arial up. For some reason, the ariea only goes down to about 10 inches or so. It does not retract fully. Is that "normal." Of course, once I have the suggested books, all this information may appear. Until then, thanks again to all those who have been so gracious and considerate to help me get started with this process.
Mike

[Keith R.]

Re: 1959 info needed

a quick check at the C1 Registry http://C1registry.com indicates that your car was build on February 12, 1959 which was a Thursday. (better than a Friday or Monday build, I'd guess!)

[Mike Z.]

Re: 1959 info needed

Thanks Keith and Gina,

That is the most specific information I've received and it's nice to know. I'm not sure how that sort of thing is documented but it was very thoughtful of you to pass it along. Thanks again.
Mike