What engines were available in a 1959 Corvette?
The 1959 Corvette used a 283 cubic-inch V8 that Chevrolet offered in three carburetion configurations, delivering 230, 250, or 270 horsepower.
In 1959, Chevrolet kept the Corvette on a single displacement platform (the 283 V8) but allowed buyers to choose among three performance levels based on how the carburetors were configured. Notably, factory fuel injection remained a feature of earlier Corvette years and was not offered in the 1959 lineup. The following outlines the engine configurations available that model year.
Engine lineup for the 1959 Corvette
The configurations below describe the most common factory setups for the 283 cubic-inch V8 in the 1959 Corvette.
- 283 cu in V8 with two two-barrel carburetors (2x2), rated at 230 horsepower.
- 283 cu in V8 with a single four-barrel carburetor, rated at 250 horsepower.
- 283 cu in V8 with Tri-Power configuration (three two-barrel carburetors), rated at 270 horsepower.
In summary, the 1959 Corvette offered three carbureted power levels built on the same 283 cubic-inch V8: 230 hp, 250 hp, and 270 hp, with no factory fuel injection option that year.
Context and notes
The 1959 model year represented a mid-generation refresh for the Corvette, emphasizing styling updates and a straightforward V8 lineup that prioritized accessible performance through carburation choices rather than displacement changes.
Summary: The 1959 Corvette’s engine options centered on the 283 cu in V8, available in 230 hp (2x2), 250 hp (4-barrel), and 270 hp (Tri-Power) configurations, all carbureted and without a factory fuel-injected option that year.
