Rolling 1959 Corvette Project Is the Perfect Shortcut to a Custom Build

With little interest thus far, this 1959 Corvette roller may wind up selling for pennies on the dollar, too.

We sift through our fair share of Corvettes for sale on a regular basis, keeping a close eye on the market and scoping out all of the cool cars that we oftentimes wish we could buy – or maybe even do. Typically, these vehicles represent a broad range in terms of condition, and include ratty-looking barn finds, concours-restored and/or rare models, and pretty much everything in between. Every so often, we even come across a project or two that the seller gave up on, giving us a nice shortcut in the restoration/custom build process, and that’s precisely the case with this 1959 Corvette project up for grabs at Bring a Trailer.

Interestingly, the selling dealer of this 1959 Corvette acquired it back in 2019, though it isn’t immediately clear of the previous owner left it in this state, or if the dealer started working on it and gave up. Regardless, the rolling C1 is devoid of any chrome or trim, and there’s no engine or transmission present. At the moment, the body is finished in black with silver coves, but it’s been stripped in some areas, too.

There are no headlights, and the Corvette rolls on a set of basic steel wheels with mismatched tires, giving it somewhat of a sad look. While most of the rest of the mechanicals like brakes and suspension components are present, there’s not even an interior here to speak of, with little more than insulating material left behind.

The seller notes that this 1959 Corvette has received some modifications to the body to fit an updated drivetrain in the vein of an old fashioned hot rod. Obviously, it’s a rough project that will require a ton of money if someone wants to restore it back to its original glory, and some would simply choose to part it out. But we’d go a different route, personally.

Like a blank canvas, this 1959 Corvette presents a world of possibilities, but for someone looking to build a custom C1 rolling on a modern aftermarket chassis, with a brand new interior and powertrain, it’s the perfect way to do just that. Why hack up a nice car that could be restored for reasonable money when you can just start with what is basically a bare body? That sort of treatment would make a heck of a lot of sense for this car, and with little interest generated thus far, it may just sell for pennies on the dollar, too.

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Photos:Bring a Trailer