A more conservative approach, with "jet smooth" lines, evident with the aircraft inspired side trim. Chevrolet changed much of the bodylines from the more wilder '59's. The Bel Air was again offered as the mid line just under the Impala and the Biscayne remained the lower level more affordable option. In 1959 Chevrolet offered new radical designs with the '59 Bel Air, Impala and Biscayne. The "batwing fins" and "cats-eye" taillights were just a few of the new designs.
The Bel Air became the midrange series for '59. Production series total included about 447,000 produced. Of these, 188,623 were station wagons. The Parkwood and Kingswood Station wagons had the same trim as the Bel Air but their own model script. Plus, the Kinsgwood offered a power lift tailgate.
1959 Chevrolet Parkwood Production Numbers
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Parkwood/Kingswood Station Wagon Series 1500 - Six-Cyl
C
35
4 dr Parkwood - 6P
$2,749
3,965 lbs
Note 1
C
45
4 dr Kingswood - 9P
$2,852
4,020 lbs
Note 1
Parkwood/Kingswood Station Wagon Series 1600 - V-8
D
35
4 dr Parkwood - 6P
$2,867
3,970 lbs
Note 1
D
45
4 dr Kingswood - 9P
$2,970
4,015 lbs
Note 1
Notes:
Production was recorded by body style only: 4dr Station Wagon = 188,623. Chevrolet did not offer a breakout of numbers by series, model or engine.
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Width
Height
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
Chevrolet
119 in
210.9 in
79.9 in
54-56 in
60 in
60 in
7.50 x 14
Chevrolet Station Wagon
119 in
210.9 in
79.9 in
56.3 in
60 in
60 in
8.00 x 14
VIN Numbers
Serial Numbers were stamped on a plate on the left front door hinge pillar (center pillar on Corvair and on the driver-side door post on Corvette). The Fisher Body number plate on the right-hand side of the cowl gives additional information such as the body style number, the production sequence number, the trim (upholstery) number code and the paint number code.
First Symbol - Model & Series
A - Biscayne/Brookwood 1100 Series (6-Cyl.)
F - Impala/Nomad 1800 Series (V-8)
B - Biscayne/Brookwood 1200 Series (V-8)
G - Sedan Delivery or El Camino (6-Cyl.)
C - Bel Air/Parkwood/Kingswood 1500 Series (6-Cyl.)
H - Sedan Delivery or El Camino (V-8)
D - Bel Air/Parkwood/Kingswood 1600 Series (V-8)
J - Corvette
E - Impala/Nomad 1700 Series (6-Cyl.)
Second & Third Symbol - Model Year
59 - 1959
Fourth Symbol - Assembly Plant
(A) Atlanta, Georgia
(L) Los Angeles, California
(B) Baltimore, Maryland
(N) Norwood, Ohio
(F) Flint, Michigan
(O) Oakland, California
(G) Pontiac, Michigan
(S) St. Louis, Missouri
(J) Janesville, Wisconsin
(T) Tarrytown, New York
(K) Kansas City, Missouri
(W) Willow Run, Michigan
Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence
Started at 100001
Engine Codes
Location Of Engine Code: 6-Cyl - stamped on a pad behind the distributor on right side of block. V-8 - stamped on the block in front of the right hand cylinder head.
Letter Code
Engine
Horsepower
Torque
Transmission
Carburetor
A
6-235
135
217
3-Speed Manual
2 BC
AE
6-235
135
217
3-Speed Manual
2 BC
B
6-235
135
217
Powerglide
2 BC
C
8-283
185
275
3-Speed Manual
2 BC
CD
8-283
185
275
Overdrive
2 BC
CQ
8-283
230
300
3-Speed Manual
2 - 4 BC
CR
8-283
250
305
3-Speed Manual
Fuel Injected
CS
8-283
290
290
3-Speed Manual
Fuel Injected
CT
8-283
230
300
3-Speed Manual
2 - 4 BC
CU
8-283
230
300
3-Speed Manual
2 - 4 BC
D
8-283
185
275
Powerglide
2 BC
DH
8-283
250
305
Powerglide
Fuel Injected
DJ
8-283
230
300
Powerglide
2 - 4 BC
F
8-348
250
355
3-Speed Manual
4 BC
FA
8-348
280
355
3-Speed Manual
3 - 2 BC
FB
8-348
335
362
3-Speed Manual
3 - 2 BC
FD
8-348
320
358
3-Speed Manual
4 BC
FG
8-348
300
350
Not Available
4 BC
G
8-348
250
355
Powerglide
4 BC
GB
8-348
280
355
Powerglide
3 - 2 BC
GD
8-348
350
350
Powerglide
4 BC
H
8-348
250
355
Turboglide
4 BC
HA
8-348
280
355
Turboglide
3 - 2 BC
Transmission Codes
Transmission
Location
3-Speed Manual
Stamped on rear face of upper right corner
3-Speed Manual (close-ratio)
Stamped on rear face of upper right corner
4-Speed
Stamped on boss on lower left side of case just below side cover.
Powerglide
Stamped on the bottom of oil pan
Corvette 2-Speed Powerglide
Not Available
Turboglide
Not Available
Plant and Type Designation Prefix
Plant
Transmission Type
W
Warner Gear
4-Speed
S
Saginaw
3-Speed, Overdrive*
C
Cleveland
Powerglide
B
Toledo
Powerglide (Corvair)
*Overdrive distinguished from 3-Speed by physical appearance only. The above transmissions will carry a production code number such as: S304 (S = Saginaw 3-Speed, 3 = March, 04 = 4th.)
NOTES: Color Combination Numbers are on a plate on the right side of the dash panel, under the hood, immediately below the heater water control valve (Ranco Valve).
Paint Codes - Two-Tone Combinations of the RPO-B, C, and D Series Cars are as Follows:
Series
U (Upper Area)
L (Lower Area)
B (11-1200 exc. 11-1270-1300-1400)
Roof-Only
Lower Body
C (17-1800 exc. 17-1867)
Roof & Side Molding Insert Areas
Lower Body
D (15-1600)
Roof & Back Panel Cove Area
Lower Body exc. Back Panel Cove Area
Paint Code
Color Name
Lucite® Code
Paint Code
Color Name
Lucite® Code
990
(Upper) Aspen Green Metallic
(Lower) Classic Cream
2933L
2924L
973
(Upper) Snowcrest White
(Lower) Roman Red
2697L
2931LH
953
(Upper) Snowcrest White
(Lower) Highland Green Metallic
2697L
2932L
987
(Upper) Harbor Blue Metallic
(Lower) Frost Blue Metallic
2927L
2925L
962
(Upper) Frost Blue Metallic
(Lower) Harbor Blue Metallic
2925L
2927L
988
(Upper) Snowcrest White
(Lower) Grecian Gray Metallic
2697L
2934L
963
(Upper) Crown Sapphire Metallic
(Lower) Snowcrest White
Note: Information, Specifications, Resources & Photos found in the Research Library should only be used as general guidelines. OldRide LLC makes no warranty as to the authenticity and accuracy of the information contained hereon.
