Beschreibung:

The hit of the 1953 Motorama, Chevrolet’s Corvette was rushed to production by June 30. Based on a Chevy passenger car chassis, complete with Blue Flame six-cylinder engine and two-speed Powerglide transmission, the white roadster had three side-draft carburetors, a hot cam, high compression head and dual exhausts. There were no side windows, the only weather protection being rigid, metal-framed plastic side curtains and a manual canvas top. Its formal debut was held in September at the General Motors Proving Grounds and 50 were delivered by the end of the month. The first cars were allocated to high-volume dealerships, for sale to prominent citizens in their communities. Among the latter was John Wayne, who received Corvette number 51 on October 7. Because tooling for a steel body would have been time consuming and expensive, fiberglass was chosen instead. Still, production was slow and by the end of the year just 300 had been built, all of them white with red interior. Originally built in Flint, Michigan, Corvette production started in St. Louis at the beginning of the 1954 model year. The Corvette’s price of $3,498 was $1,200 more than the sticker on a Bel Air convertible, the most expensive regular ’53 Chevy, and $500 more than the Ford Thunderbird introduced a year later. The 1954 models differed mostly in availability of additional colors. Although Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red and Black were added to the palette, Polo White remained the most popular, with four-fifths produced in that color. Other changes included a new type bag for window storage, rerouting of fuel and brake lines, and a new air cleaner and starter. At the end of the model year, all production moved to St. Louis. Deliveries had increased tenfold, reaching 3,640. Despite the public’s enthusiastic reaction, sales remained low for some years, just 700 built in 1955 and 3,461 the following year. Ford’s new Thunderbird, meanwhile, was selling at more than five times that level. The introduction of a V8 engine for 1955 and re-engineering by Zora Arkus-Duntov for true sports car performance ensured the Corvette’s reputation as America’s only true sports car. The model started to turn a profit in 1958. Still, the 1953-55 models retain the pure form of the Harley Earl design that turned so many heads at the ’53 Motorama, and remain much sought-after today. Originally a California car, this 1954 Corvette was purchased by the current owner in 2002. Since that time, it has been subjected to an engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, a new interior and top and recent overhaul of the carburetors. The engine rebuild included new pistons, rings, valves and seals, and bearings. At that time hardened valve seats were installed to ensure satisfactory operation with unleaded gasoline. The transmission overhaul included a new input shaft, planetary gearset, reverse gear, governor and rear pump in addition to the usual soft parts. Other recent mechanical work has included overhaul of the fuel system, including a new fuel pump, and rebuilding the windshield wiper system. Replacement of the convertible top included a new frame. Invoices are available for all this work. The car has not been shown since this recent partial restoration. In 2003, before the work commenced, it received a second place award at the Wine Country Concours d’Elegance in Santa Rosa, California. The indicated mileage on this car is 1,651, understood to be logged since the odometer turned over 100,000. The engine was rebuilt just over 500 miles ago, the transmission more recently. For all intents and purposes, this car is mechanically new, and with new top and interior it is one of the nicest 1954 Corvettes available. It is sure to please a new owner whether on the show field or on the road.