Where dreams are made. Dan Stachowiak of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina found his field of dreams Corvette in a field. A friend-of-a-friend told him there was an old Vette from the 1950s stashed in a field in North Carolina.
“And it hasn’t moved since 1987?
It sounded like a wild goose chase but Stachowiak made the trip across the state line and found his dream car buried in dirt all the way up to the axles. He spent a few hours in the brutal heat digging out a piece of Corvette history. This C1 (first gen 1953-1962) has great patina and an even greater story, which makes Stachowiak's Corvette priceless.
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| The fiberglass body of the 1959 Corvette shows no signs of ever being wrecked. |
What is it?
A 1959 Chevrolet Corvette. One-of-9,760 built. It wears the original Snowcrest White paint and Frost Blue dash. It was parked in a field by the long-time owner in 1987. That owner bought it when new or nearly new, according to the family that sold it to Stachowiak. He says he got a fair price for the as-found condition Corvette.
Last registered in 1987. It has been sitting longer than it was actively driven. The odometer shows 15,510 miles. Stachowiak thinks it rolled over at least once. A few modifications were done during its almost 30 years on the road.
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| The weathered Frost Blue dash reveals 15,510 on the odometer. |
Don't ask
Stachowiak has been offer stupid money as the car sits. The current condition is ripe for a full restoration to many would-be buyers but Stachowiak is ecstatic to have found his holy grail patina project. With the exterior of the car in this weathered condition, he will not be afraid to drive it anywhere once he gets it moving.
"It will never be for sale,” says Stachowiak. “You don't see these cars driven down the road. This baby is gonna cruise the streets of Myrtle Beach just like you see it!”
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| Eagle-eyed Corvette fans are sure to spot some oddities. Such as the red hardtop. |
Plans
A complete drivetrain and chassis is waiting for pickup in Mississippi.
“I located a 1958 Vette chassis that was being replaced by a complete Art Morrison setup,” Stachowiak said. “They unbolted the body and rolled the running and driving ’58 chassis and drivetrain out from under it. I should have my ’59 on the road in a few weeks.”
He plans to store the original ’59’s solid but crusty chassis and drivetrain. If the restoration bug bites, Stachowiak will have all the numbers matching parts.
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| Parts that were removed before the Corvette was put out to pasture. |
Other goodies included
The previous owner drove the 1959 Corvette for many years. During which, a few appearance modifications were added along the way. A louvered hood from a 1958 model was installed and has caused a few double takes from Corvette enthusiasts. Specks of blue paint peek out from the white in places around the louvers. That is a clue that the hood came off of a blue ’58 Vette. Also, this Convertible was ordered without a hardtop but a removable hardtop from a red Corvette was added and likely saved the interior from decades of abuse from the elements. A set of vintage 1960s Torque Thrust wheels ramp up the hot rod look.
When you stand back, it's easy to notice that this all-American Corvette is covered in shades of red, white, and blue.
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| A 1959 Corvette parked in a field for 34 years? Yes! |
Changes
The only things Stachowiak wants to change are the black seats and door panels. They are not the blue color that he believes they should be. He plans to find some original blue seats with a similar patina that matches the overall condition of the interior.
“It would look odd to have a rough exterior and completely new interior,” said Stachowiak. “I’m heading to Carlisle to find some seats soon.”
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| Vintage Torque Thrust wheel inside the 1959 Vette. |
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| Black seats will be replaced with some vintage (weathered) blue seats. |
Anti-theft measures
Before he rolled the Corvette into the field the previous owner stashed away some items that were often stolen from Corvettes. He removed the hood and trunk emblems, side flags, and pulled out the original Wonderbar radio for safe keeping. Even greater precautions were taken to preserve an even bigger item. The engine was relocated into a 1967 Chevy truck on the property. The truck engine was put into the Corvette.
You might think that maybe the truck needed a power plant? That's not what Stachowiak believes. The story he was told confirmed the engine swap was done to save the Vette’s 283-V8 engine from theft. The truck and original Corvette engine were also part of the deal.
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| Corvette 283-V8 was installed under hood of 1967 Chevy truck. |
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| Corvette’s engine bay now has the engine from the 1967 Chevy truck. |
Why did it get parked?
The previous owner loved it and drove it nearly 30 years. He parked it in field behind his house with the intention to someday restore it back to its original glory. But, life got in the way. Many years passed. Five years ago the owner died.
“A few more years out there and it would have been lost forever,” Stachowiak said. “I was fortunate to be able to buy it and save it.”
Keep dreaming!
The next field of dreams may have your dream car in it. Keep hunting, keep digging, and never stop dreaming!
Jody Potter
– Junkyard Life
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| Patina in spades on this Corvette. |
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| Capturing time or the transition as something ages is what makes cars with patina a draw at car shows. Each blemish tells a story. This entire car wears the story of its life. Cared for, then held onto as best the owner could. Their choice may not have been what you would have liked but it preserved a 62-year-old Corvette in a way that makes the car appear more attainable to a larger audience. |
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| Field find gold mine in my opinion. |
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| A non-restored version of this car will pull more eyeballs and have a larger crowd at the local car show than a Bloomington Gold certified version. |
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| Louvered hood from a 1958 Corvette was installed on this 1959 model. |
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| No sweeter sight than a "just rescued" hot rod Corvette. |
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| The new owner was worried that he would damage the Vette when he dug it out. Somehow the squared tires rolled and the brakes were not locked up. |
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| Only one piece of trim was missing. Bottom of the driver's side cove. |
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| So many curves. A work of art from any angle. |
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| January 1987 sticker in window from last time the 1959 Vette was on the road. |
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| The road is long. With many a winding turn. Here's to new life for this old Vette! |
More Corvette stories on Junkyard Life:
Do you have a classic car in the yard, or a great story?
Send us details and we’re on the way!
Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com
or Ron Kidd at Kidd403@bellsouth.net.
1 comment:
Yes I agree, keep it the way it is!
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