The Corvette is Hard to Beat

Originally published in Sports Cars Illustrated in March 1959.

If your interests lie in drag-racing, by all means pick the 4.56. If road-racing is more your style, then you’ll probably want either the 3.70 or the 4.11, depending on which course you’re running. Remember, 6500 in top corresponds to 139, 125, and 113 mph respectively with the 3.70, 4.11, 4.56 ratios.

For straight highway use, the 3.70, which we would now prefer, will provide the minimum of engine noise with plenty of acceleration. And if the chips are down, you can always use the gearbox. The 3.70 might improve gas mileage, but a lighter foot would help more.

On the luxury side, we chose the station seeking push-button radio ($149.80), the heater-defroster ($102.25), windshield washers ($16.15) and, sybarites to the end, both the folding canvas top and the removable hardtop ($236.75). Added to the $3875.00 base price, the total climbs to $5127.80; transportation and state and local tax are extra.

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