The era of discovering million-dollar barn finds with iconic badges may be drawing to a close, but the automotive world continues to surprise with hidden treasures. This 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, recently unearthed in Frankenmuth, Michigan, is a prime example. Sleeping soundly since the early 1970s, this sports car has endured a remarkable 51 years in storage.
Despite such an extraordinary period of dormancy, the Corvette has emerged relatively unscathed. Its fiberglass body, combined with the concrete floor of its resting place, has shielded it from the typical ravages of time. The Frost Blue paint, potentially original, appears to have held up remarkably well and promises to shine with proper care.
With a modest 62,152 miles on the odometer, this Corvette is not only a survivor but also a potential time capsule, offering a look into a bygone era of automotive passion. The limited visual information available hints at a promising foundation for this 1959 Corvette.
The car’s body appears structurally sound, with straight panels and complete chrome trim. A significant advantage is the inclusion of a factory hardtop, a coveted feature on late ’50s models. While interior details are obscured, the visible portions dashboard, seats, and carpets seem to be in good condition.
The all-blue color combination is particularly desirable, as only a small fraction of the 1,024 Frost Blue Corvettes produced that year shared this interior hue. Under the hood lies a claimed numbers-matching V8, though its condition is uncertain. Key components like the carburetor and valve covers are absent, and evidence suggests an attempted full removal, raising concerns about potential engine issues.
Given that 1959 Corvettes were exclusively equipped with a 283-cubic-inch V8, the engine displacement is known. However, power output varies significantly across four available configurations, ranging from a base 230 horsepower to a potent fuel-injected 290 horsepower variant. Without further details, the most likely engine is the standard 230 horsepower carbureted option, which was the popular choice among buyers in 1959.
