1959 Chevrolet - Wings, Glass And Chrome!

When the initial flurry of Oh’s and Ah’s over the new 1959 Chevrolets subsided to comparing chrome, interior fabrics, paint colors and other easily distinguished styling changes it was easy to see that for 1959, Chevrolet was “New All Over Again”. Chevrolet stylists went whole hog in 1959, presenting a completely new lower, longer and roomier body to go with improvements in chassis, suspension and engines.

The new wings or horizontal fins blended into the rear deck made for a pleasing design along with the cat eye taillights. Used on all 1959 Chevrolet models, the wings were particularly attractive on the new El Camino, Chevy’s answer to the Ford Ranchero. For the first time the rear license plate swiveled down to reveal the gas tank filler cap.

The roomier “Body By Fisher” was sound, solid and stylish with sweeping new overhead curved windshield and bigger windows made of safety plate glass. Chevy’s new “Slim Line Design” was new from the distinctive design of its roof line right down to its safer Tyrex cord tires. The dual headlights, which on the 1958 Chevrolet was mounted above the front grille and bumper, were lowered several inches and were placed at either end of the grille. Above the grille are narrow slits that look like air intakes, but are directional lights that have been tucked into the outside corners of these slits.

There were 14 new solid color options and 10 new two tone color combinations that were called “Magic Mirror” finish. General Motors and Chevrolet advertising claimed that this “Magic Mirror” finish would keep its shine without waxing or polishing for up to three years.

The 1959 Chevy ride was quiet and smooth due to rear suspension improvements. The improvements included adding an anti sway bar, extra cross member and anti twist arms on the X frame. These improvements along with more glass area made handling and visibility in traffic excellent.

Steve Farber is an author and auto related web site publisher. See all the wings, glass and chrome plus learn more about the 59classicchevy.com 1959 Chevrolet at his new web site viewing lots of seldom seen “Vintage Chevy Advertising” pictures of body styles, body colors, interior colors and engine specifications.