1959 Chevrolet 283/290 Fuelie in Scottsdale, Arizona

This 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, chassis number J59S103131, is the documented No. 51 competition car raced by Bob Bondurant in SCCA B-Production competition during the 1959 season and into early 1960. Originally delivered new by Harry Mann Chevrolet of Los Angeles to racer Paul Masse, the car was factory-equipped with the 290hp Rochester fuel-injected 283ci V-8 engine, four-speed manual transmission, Positraction rear axle and RPO 684 heavy-duty racing suspension and brakes. Just 142 Corvettes were equipped with RPO 684 for 1959. Bondurant campaigned Masse's Corvette throughout California during the period that established him as one of the leading Corvette drivers on the West Coast. The car was raced during Bondurant's 1959 West Coast SCCA championship season and into 1960, including the SCCA National Races at Palm Springs. His success during this period preceded his invitation to drive Sheldon Washburn's No. 614 Corvette and the national and international racing career that followed. Following its competition career, No. 51 passed through a documented succession of owners, including Gary Neuer, who retained the car for 16 years, followed by Richard Buxbaum, Jeff Smith, Jack Podel and collector John Goodman. In 2005, the Corvette underwent a comprehensive body-off restoration by Myers Classics & Corvettes of Rockford, Illinois. The restoration was performed to a high level with attention to period-correct details, including correct chassis finishes, raw white fiberglass underbody, factory-style overspray and proper hardware. The car is currently powered by a replacement 283ci V-8 engine equipped with Rochester mechanical fuel injection, backed by a four-speed manual transmission and Positraction rear differential. Among the car's period components are a pair of GM prototype aluminum cylinder heads marked "AJ Foyt." The Corvette also retains its competition configuration with heavy-duty suspension and braking equipment. Documentation includes a large binder containing restoration photographs, ownership history, old titles, registrations and historical records, along with a copy of the original Harry Mann Chevrolet dealership invoice to Paul Masse. The car is offered from a major private collection with documentation covering its original delivery, racing history, ownership and restoration.