This fully restored 1959 Chevrolet Corvette has been treated to a complete frame off restoration, both mechanical and cosmetic about 12 years ago. It is equipped with a 290 horsepower, fuel injected 283 cubic inch engine. While the engine block has matching numbers, correct date code and casting number, it is NOT the original block.

The car was purchased by Werner Meier, a 2013 Corvette Museum Hall of Fame Inductee, in 2003 from a friend who experienced a fire immediately following a restoration. Werners original plan was to replace the front end and reassemble the car, but dissatisfaction with the quality of the prior restoration led to a comprehensive, nut and bolt, re-restoration of the entire vehicle.

The restoration included complete disassembly of the chassis, suspension, drive train, fuel system, cooling system, gauges, wiring and interior trim. All components (engine, fuel injection unit, transmission, rear axle, suspension, steering, leaf springs, instrumentation, radio and were either rebuilt to factory specifications or replaced with new OEM or reproduction parts.

The interior was completely replaced including a dash pad, seats and cushions, door panels, arm rests, top tabs, seat belts, carpeting. The radio and gauges were refurbished with new lenses and bezels installed throughout. The steering wheel was restored to NCRS specifications by Richard Dunham.

Restoration of the body included the replacement of the birdcage metal structure inside the rocker panels and to restore proper fit of the doors. Extensive efforts were made to properly align all adjacent panels and to ensure proper gaps and panel flushness. Hinges were re-bushed and latches were cleaned, repaired as needed and realigned. Panels were all stripped to bare fiberglass before being prepped for it show quality, urethane paint job.

All exterior bright work and trim were either re-plated, polished or replaced. Parts being re-plated were stripped before being copper plated and buffed before nickel and chrome application. All exterior stainless trim (including new N.O.S. parts) was sent out and micro polished to optimize luster.

When completed, the car was displayed at the Detroit Autorama, the worlds largest custom car show, where it was awarded a first in class trophy. Since that time, it has been stored in the showroom at Masterworks Automotive Services and used only for show purposes.

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This 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is finished in black over blue vinyl and powered by a fuel-injected 283ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission. The car was acquired by Corvette Hall of Fame inductee Werner Meier, in 2003 after a fire. A refurbishment in 2009 completed by Masterworks Automotive of Madison Heights, Michigan included replacing various body panels, repainting the exterior, rebuilding the engine and transmission, refreshing the brakes and suspension, and retrimming the interior. Features include a black convertible top, 15 steel wheels, four-wheel drum brakes, chrome trim, a dual-exit exhaust, an analog clock, lap belts, and a push-button Wonderbar AM radio. Work completed in 2021 consisted of replacing the radiator. This C1 is now offered with a clean Virginia.

The doors, floor panels, firewall, fenders, and hood are said to have been replaced, and the car was repainted black in 2009 after it caught fire under prior ownership. Replacement chrome trim adorns the grille, split bumpers, light surrounds, and driver-side mirror, and additional equipment includes a black soft top, quad headlights, faux fender vents, and a dual-exit exhaust.

Replacement steel 15 wheels wear Corvette branded hubcaps and whitewall tires. The car is equipped with drum brakes at all four corners that were reportedly rebuilt along with the suspension components as part of the 2009 refurbishment.

The cabin was retrimmed using components sourced from Al Knoch Interiors that included a replacement dashboard, seat covers, door panels, and carpet. Equipment consists of manually operatedwindows, a dash-mounted rearview mirror, an analog clock, lap belts, a passenger grab handle, and a push-button Wonderbar AM radio.

The blue-rimmed steering wheel fronts a 160-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, and four auxiliary gauges. The dash housing, bezels, and gauges were replaced as part of the refurbishment. The five-digit odometer indicates under 40k miles. Total mileage is unknown.

The 283ci V8 is equipped with a Rochester fuel-injection system and finned aluminum valve covers. The wiring was replaced as part of the refurbishment, and a replacement radiator was reportedly installed in December 2021.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and Positraction rear axle with 3.55:1 gear ratio. The transmission was reportedly rebuilt as part of the refurbishment.