In an era of big fins and giant sedans, the launch of a two-seater cruiser was uncommon for the American market.
In a review of a 1959 C1 Corvette, Motortrend in the USA notes: “The 1950s had an abundance of iconic designs that changed the automotive industry in a good way. Horsepower figures were increasing and exterior designs continued to get more elaborate. While the Corvette was Chevrolet’s most expensive offering, it kept a subdued appearance through the early ’60s compared to its big brother, the Impala. By 1959, the Impala was over-the-top with crazy fins and lots of chrome, while the Corvette actually lost some of its trim for the 1959 model. Even then, the Corvette still looked like a dainty roadster that wouldn’t handle a beating.”
This example is running a 283ci V8 with four-speed manual transmission.
Classic & American Imports in Adelaide has it on the market for $125,000.