The horsepower race hit its stride in 1957 with the launch of the now-iconic 283-cubic-inch, 283-horsepower fuel-injected Chevrolet Corvette. While it is today a legend of American automotive performance history, the Corvette’s Rochester fuel injection system was notoriously finicky, driving many sportsmen to choose the dual four-barrel carburetor setup with the same displacement—which offered similar horsepower and better reliability at a fraction of the cost.

All in all, it was a remarkable evolution for the Corvette. Just six years removed from 1953’s Blue Flame six-cylinder as the model’s only powerplant, by 1959 the fastest fuel-injected Corvettes could do 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds on their way to a 128 mph top speed—and the dual-quad-carbureted cars were not far behind.

Wearing a desirable all-black over red livery, this 1959 Corvette is equipped with a factory hardtop in black and rides on correct “spinner” hubcaps shod in vintage Lester Tire Company wide white wall tires. Under the hood is a 283-cubic-inch V-8 engine wearing a “CT” engine stamp suffix designating 245-horsepower engine with dual Carter four-barrel carburetors and a four-speed manual gearbox.

While many of its brothers were driven hard in period—whether on the closed circuit or after hours on a favorite back road—this Corvette seems to have lived a somewhat more pampered life. As a result, it appears to be in largely original condition both inside, outside, and underhood, with no evidence of major refurbishment or full restoration. Consistent with its condition, its odometer displayed fewer than 11,300 miles at cataloguing, although it is not known whether this is an actual reading.

A pioneering automobile and an icon of American culture, the first-generation Chevrolet Corvette is one of those rare machines that transcends the world of collector cars, drawing in and winning over all who lay eyes on it. A model as usable as it is historically significant, this C1 Corvette would be just as at home cruising to “cars and coffee” events as it would serving as the cornerstone of a serious collection of American muscle.

Moreover, given its highly original condition, it could serve as the basis of a comprehensive restoration or benefit from continued, careful preservation. Whichever path its next owner chooses, this Corvette will stand as a testament to the era in which “America’s sports car” came into its own as a performance powerhouse.