1959 Chevrolet Facts



"Nothings New like Chevy's New!"

"Chevrolet holds everybody and his brother-beautifully!"

"Chevy's got the ride and room to go anywhere!"

"The car that's wanted for all it's worth"


Probably one of the most recognized Chevrolets ever made due to it's unique tail fins and "Cat eye" tail light lenses. The 1959 cars were another all new design from Chevrolet. Something else new for this year was the "El Camino" which was part car, part truck and could haul up to 1,000 lbs.

The optional air ride suspension was available again this year however this would be the last year for it. A very rare item for this year was the fuel injected 290 horsepower 283. This would be the only year for this option. Also, this was the first year for the optional 4 speed transmission.

Standard engines for 1959 were the 135hp 235 six cylinder or the 185hp 283 V-8. Optional engines included; 230hp 283, 250hp 283 (fuel injected), 290hp 283 (fuel injected), 250hp 348, 280hp 348, 305hp 348, 315hp 348, 320hp 348, and 335hp 348.


Some highlights for '59 include:

  • Safety girder "X" frame with all new 119" wheelbase
  • 2 piece driveshaft
  • Full coil spring suspension
  • Optional Level air with 4 link rear suspension
  • Optional fuel injection 250hp 283 engine
  • Optional 4 speed transmission
  • Safety plate glass all around
  • New styled gull wing rear fenders
  • Distinctive new tail lights (featured vertical bars on Impala models)
  • Vent design over rear window on the Impala sport coupes



    Model #/Name Series Base Price Weight Production #'s Special notes
    1111 Biscayne 2 door sedan
    (6 cyl)     		A        
    1115 Brookwood 2 door wagon (6 cyl) A     18,800 6 passenger
    1119 Biscayne 4 door sedan
    (6 cyl)     		A        
    1121 Biscayne 2 door Utility sedan
    (6 cyl)     		A       3 passenger
    1135 Brookwood 4 door wagon (6 cyl) A $2,756 3,955   6 passenger
    1170 Biscayne sedan Delivery
    (6 cyl)     		G        
    1180 El Camino (6 cyl) G     22,246 3 1,000 lb load capacity
    1211 Biscayne 2 door sedan
    (8 cyl)     		B $2,365 3,530    
    1215 Brookwood 2 door wagon (8 cyl) B $2,689 3,860 18,800 6 passenger
    1219 Biscayne 4 door sedan
    (8 cyl)     		B $2,419 3,600    
    1221 Biscayne 2 door Utility sedan
    (8 cyl)     		B $2,558 3,490   3 passenger
    1235 Brookwood 4 door wagon (8 cyl) B $2,756 3,955   6 passenger
    1270 Biscayne sedan Delivery
    (8 cyl)     		H        
    1280 El Camino (8 cyl) H $2,360 3,545 22,246 3 1,000 lb load capacity<
    1511 Belair 2 door sedan (6 cyl) C        
    1519 Belair 4 door sedan (6 cyl) C        
    1535 Parkwood 4 door wagon
    (6 cyl)     		C       6 passenger
    1539 Belair 4 door sport sedan
    (6 cyl)     		C        
    1545 Kingswood 4 door wagon (6 cyl) C       9 passenger
    1611 Belair 2 door sedan (8 cyl) D $2,504 3,510    
    1619 Belair 4 door sedan (8 cyl) D $2,558 3,615    
    1635 Parkwood 4 door wagon
    (8 cyl)     		D $2,867 3,970   6 passenger
    1639 Belair 4 door sport sedan
    (8 cyl)     		D $2,674 3,630    
    1645 Kingswood 4 door wagon (8 cyl) D $2,970 4,015   9 passenger
    1719 Impala 4 door sedan(6 cyl) E        
    1735 Nomad 4 door wagon
    (6 cyl)     		E       6 passenger
    1737 Impala sport coupe (6 cyl) E        
    1739 Impala 4 door sport sedan (6 cyl) E        
    1767 Impala convertible (6 cyl) E     72,7651  65,8002  
    1819 Impala 4 door sedan(8 cyl) F $2,710 3,620    
    1837 Impala sport coupe (8 cyl) F $2,717 3,580    
    1839 Impala 4 door sport sedan (8 cyl) F $2,782 3,670    
    1867 Impala convertible (8 cyl) F $2,967 3,650 72,7651  65,8002  
    1835 Nomad 4 door wagon
    (8 cyl)     		F $3,009 3,975   6 passenger


    1-From the MSA 1958-70 Impala booklet (these numbers include both 6 cylinder and V-8 cars)
    2-From the book entitled, "Sixty years of Chevrolet" (these numbers include both 6 cylinder and V-8 cars)
    3-This number is for both 6 & 8 cylinder El Camino's combined.




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