1959 Chevrolet Corvette C1 |

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1959 Chevrolet Corvette C1

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Mileage4,342 on clock
Transmission3-speed Manual
Engine4.6-litre
LocationRedditch

AUCTION CLOSED

1959 Chevrolet Corvette C1

I’M INTERESTED

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Editor and Photographer

The original, and among one of the most desirable of Corvettes favoured amongst collectors.

The Corvette's inception was prompted by the post-war demand for a homegrown moderate-priced sports car, recognising that the returning GIs were importing British and Italian cars. General Motors unveiled a concept for the car in 1953 and, encouraged by the public reception, placed it into production. Using off-the-shelf mechanical components to keep costs down, the Corvette was novel in its use of a fibreglass body shell attached to the chassis by a “birdcage” of metal tubing.

Finished with its distinctive taillamps moulded into the rear wings, exposed four-headlamp and two-tone colour scheme, the 1958 C1 Corvette's bold design, chrome accents, and sporty lines made it a symbol of performance and luxury, cementing its status as America's first true sports car and becoming a timeless classic.

This 1959 roadster, finished in white with a contrasting red interior, is offered with a manual transmission. Coming to market from our vendor of two and a half years, it presents smartly and benefits from having been in the care of just two US car enthusiasts since its import to the UK in 2019.

The car is fitted with a single Edelbrock carburettor and is accompanied by its current V5, two keys, and the advantage of being MOT and road tax exempt.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Phil the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

Easy to maintain, everybody loves to see the car when I’m out and about!

Phil acquired the vehicle in late 2023 to join an impressive collection of classic cars. He was drawn to its raw driving experience, specifically the combination of smooth, reliable power, an iconic soundtrack, and excellent parts availability. Having always admired the American ideal of freedom and power, he is now reluctantly parting with the car solely due to a loss of storage.

Phil will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Phil

Vehicle Owner

Ask Questions

CONTACT OWNER

Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Created during the jet-age, the visual flair, style and aesthetics symbolises a golden age in car design.

Wheels and Tyres

The red painted steel wheels present well, showing only minor signs of age, while the hubs remain in good condition.

The car is fitted with four-ply BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewall tyres (size 670-15), with the exception of the front offside, which features a Coker tyre. While the tyres lack visible date codes, they show no signs of sidewall cracking and display even tread wear.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

The exterior presents very well, featuring an undamaged gel coat. The body panels sit flush, exhibiting consistent and tidy shut lines.

The underside of the car presents very well, showing no significant signs of wear or age. The chassis rails are solid, and a close inspection of the wheel wells, suspension mounts, and floor pan revealed no issues. While the engine bay is coated with a protective inhibitor, it appears structurally sound.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The white paintwork presents cleanly with an even consistency and a deep, glossy lustre. There are a few minor stress fractures on top of the nearside front wing, along with the occasional negligible blemish expected of a driven car. Overall, this vehicle is in show-worthy condition.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good shape; while the windscreen seals show mild wear, they remain entirely serviceable. All lights and lenses are in good condition.

The trim is correct for the 1959 model year, and the chrome is undamaged, exhibiting a light, attractive patina, with more noticeable ageing on the rear light lens bezels. However, this does not detract from the car's overall pleasing presentation. The bumpers fit flush to the body and are free of marks.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The chrome details, contoured sculpturing and craftsmanship complement the exteriors stylish presences.

Seats and Carpets

Both seats are in excellent condition, completely free of wear or marks. The sale also includes a spare driver’s seat cover and foam.

Additionally, the carpets are clean, dry, and well-maintained.

Dashboard

The dashboard features what appears to be its original moulded vinyl dash pad, which presents well despite some minor cracking around the driver's side instrument binnacle. Mild wear is also visible on the centre console. The highly appealing rimmed instrument pods and toggle switches display beautifully; they carry some age-related patina, predominantly on the dial bezels, but this does not detract from the gorgeous, classic design. All gauges and switches are reported to be fully functional, with the sole exception of the tachometer.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel exhibits a few minor fractures on the spokes, but its condition is otherwise entirely consistent with the car’s well-presented interior. The gear lever remains in good shape.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The low-stress small-block V8 runs smoothly with plenty of flexibility.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine fires up without hesitation, running smoothly and free of any vibrations, rattles, or knocking noises. All dashboard warning lights remain off, and the exhaust note is clean and free of excessive smoke. No fluid leaks were observed during our inspection.

The engine bay presents cleanly, featuring healthy hoses and ancillaries. While there are minor signs of age and paint loss on certain components, the powerplant appears to have been well-maintained.

Power is delivered through a three-speed manual gearbox that operates smoothly, with no reported issues regarding the clutch. While first gear lacks synchromesh, the car pulls away effortlessly from a standstill in both second and third gears.

Suspension and Brakes

The ride is free of squeaks and rattles, absorbing road imperfections well. While the suspension is quite firm, the car corners predictably and without any untoward noises.

Braking is entirely drama-free, pulling up straight with no vibration or noise from the drum brakes.

The Drive

This Corvette delivers a raw, old-school driving experience that demands physical engagement, a quality that is very much a part of its classic charm. That said, it rides smoothly and handles impressively well for a 65-year-old vehicle.

The V8 engine offers abundant torque and pulls strongly across the rev range with no hesitation or flat spots. On the road, the car accelerates with real eagerness through the gears, demonstrating great composure at cruising speeds.

The steering remains compliant, exhibiting only a small amount of age-related play, and the wheel is entirely free of mechanical vibration. No untoward noises were detected from the corners, and both the oil pressure and engine temperature remain consistently healthy.

Electrics and Other

The convertible top features a recently fitted mohair hood that is completely free of wear, paired with a rear screen in good condition. It raises and lowers effortlessly, forming a tight, secure seal against the elements.

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History and Paperwork

Imported into the UK in 2019, it comes with its V5 and passed its last MOT with no advisories.

Imported to the UK in 2019 via a Pennsylvania-based dealer, the Corvette was purchased from a private collector who reportedly invested heavily in the vehicle. It comes with a current V5C logbook, its MOT expired in September 2025, having passed its most recent inspection with no advisories roughly 400 miles ago. The car is accompanied by two keys, its final US title certificate, and a copy of its feature as The Sun’s ‘Car of the Week’ from August 2025.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Trade Classics Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative (IAR) of AFS Compliance Ltd which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm number 625035. Trade Classics Limited is a vehicle sales business with permission to introduce prospective finance clients to Revered Finance Limited who is also an AR of AFS Compliance Ltd and an independent asset finance brokerage not a lender. We are not independent financial advisors and are unable to provide you with independent financial advice. Trade Classics Limited and Revered Finance Limited will receive payment(s) or other benefit from the finance provider if you decide to enter into an agreement with them. We work with both discretionary and non-discretionary commission models. Commission payments are factored into the interest rate you pay.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
27-09-2024	MOT	3,859

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Key Details

Year1959
Finance Available?Yes - contact us
ModelChevrolet Corvette C1
Transmission3-Speed Manual
Reg. Date01-04-2019
CC4638
Mileage4,342 on clock
ColourWhite/Red
Interior ColourRed
Interior TrimVinyl
Chassis #J59S104453
Engine #3756519
RestoredYes undocumented
MOT26-09-2025
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - all clear
Former Keepers2
Tyre BrandBF Goodrich
Tyre AgeUndated
# of Keys2
LHD or RHDLHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned2 years, 6 months
Vehicle Registration376 XVF
Fuel TypePetrol
Body Type2 door Convertible
Auction ID3763

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All Images

All Videos

Vehicle Location

Redditch

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Auction Closed

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This car didn't meet its reserve price and may soon be available as a private sale - please contact us for more information or let us know if you want to be notified when a similar car comes to market.

I'M INTERESTED

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Seller : PhilD

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2 Comments

Hellraiser

7 days ago

Hi is there a reserve on this car? Thanks

PhilD

Seller

Hellraiser

7 days ago

Hi yes there is but it is a very fair one but well in excess of current bid?

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