How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

[Patrick M.]

I have a 59 corvette with the vin#J59S 106813 which we understand was produced April 22, 1959. Is this considered an early or late model? Thanks, Patrick McPherson (55168).

[Pat H.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

I would consider this a later 59 considering they only built 9600+ cars. You are almost 3/4 through production

[Patrick M.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

Thanks, I am trying to bring this car back to its original build. Pat McPherson

[Ian G.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

depends on the changeover of each part... My 59 was built late-December 58, but it's still really considered a mid-production car... There are a few things that are considered early on it though. For instance, it has the 58-style one piece side-rail over the window on the softtop and the spare has rubber tubing in the openings of the wheel, which was 58-only supposedly. Seems like early cars are considered the first month or two of production. Usually just long enough to run out of parts from the previous year. What stuff are you looking at that is early vs late?

[Patrick M.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

Thanks for the information. My car was built in April so I am assuming it is late. I need a pair of cylinder heads which appear to be part number 3767465 according to the spec guide. Pat

[Ian G.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

Actually, you will want 3755550 heads with staggered holes. Refer to pg. 47 of the 58-60 judging guide... So in that respect, you have an "early" car. But it again it all depends on part and context.

[Pat H.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

Actually, you will want 3755550 heads with staggered holes. Refer to pg. 47 of the 58-60 judging guide... So in that respect, you have an "early" car. But it again it all depends on part and context.

My 59 was built in early Nov and has 58 door posts, which I've been told are incorrect. It also had a 58 horn relay which I traded for a 781 for the 59. There seems to be a mixture of parts everywhere.

[Joseph L.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

How late did the rear "anti-sway" bar appear in the 59?

[Pat H.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

I believe the rear sway bar was introduced with the 60 model year, but who knows. I've haven't come across any.

[Roger W.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

Page 227 Nolan's Book shows Rear anti-Roll bar installed on '60-'62 Corvettes.

[Ian G.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

I hope you kept your original parts. There's a good chance they were original to the car. Once you get your top flight and satisfy the judging guide, you should put the parts back, especially if you think they were original to the car. or see if you can find other early owners (sep-nov) and see if they too, have the 58 parts (or had). Then you might be able to make an argument for it, especially if you have pictures The engine bay of my car had mostly replacement stuff, door interior redone... so a lot of the originality was lost.

[Ian G.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

You generally see older parts carry over into the first few months of production on early cars, as opposed to "new stuff" used on late cars...

[John S.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

My 59 was built in early Nov and has 58 door posts, which I've been told are incorrect. It also had a 58 horn relay which I traded for a 781 for the 59. There seems to be a mixture of parts everywhere.

before i took off items that i felt were original to a car, i would contact the 58-60 team leader. ncrs gains nothing by everyone going by just what printed in it's judging manuals.

[John S.]

Re: How do I determine if my 59 is early or late model?

Thanks for the information. My car was built in April so I am assuming it is late. I need a pair of cylinder heads which appear to be part number 3767465 according to the spec guide. Pat

i have car 106996 which is nearly 200 cars later than yours. it has the 550 heads which use the staggered hole valve covers.