1959 Corvette Production and Performance

"The washboard-like phony louvers on the hood and the Pontiac-like silver streaks on the trunk lid are now things of the past. Inside there are recontoured seat cushions, a reverse lock-out on the four-speed's shift lever, and an open-at-the-top catch-all which fills the opening in front of the 'sissy-bar'; also the door-knob and armrest have moved."

"The sissy-bar is unfairly named, it's quite the thing for hanging on when the dirver is trying to prove something or other."

"Having carefully selected our option list, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the Chevrolet Division could put such a sample at our disposal immediately. Seems a fellow named Arkus-Duntov has a company car fitted out identically but for one exception. His car also has the quick steering adaptor (3.25 instead of 3.7 turns lock to lock). Generally available only as part of the heavy-duty suspension kit, it's worthwhile on its own if you can stand the noticeably stiffer steering. And if you can get it!"

"What comes as a considerable surprise is the dualistic personality of the particular car tested. In the twinkling of a throttle linkage, it turns from a submissive, sidewalk stalker to a fierce, roraring eater-upper of metallic monsters. Just as quickly, it reverts to silent smoothness, its exhaust murmuring, barely audibly, 'Who, me?'"

"Acceleration, while breaking no SCI records, is tops for pushrod equipment, and at the top end, quite similar to the 3.0 liter Ferrari 250GT tested last year."

"It's not a low price car, and it's none too cheap to operate, but it goes well and with reservations, it corners well, too. For all around performance per dollar, the Corvette is hard to beat!"