Things weren’t altogether rosy in the garden for the Chevrolet Corvette in 1955. Although it finally received the V8 under the hood it deserved, sales results fell far short of the company’s expectations. However, Chevrolet chose to soldier on, and the Corvette has remained a part of the new car landscape ever since. This 1955 ‘Vette presents superbly following a meticulous restoration. It received a brief moment of public glory once the work ended and remains in as-new condition. The owner feels the time is right for it to find a new home. They have listed it here at Mecum Auctions, where it is set to go under the hammer in Kissimmee, Florida, on Friday, January 13th, 2023. You will probably be unsurprised to learn that the auctioneers consider it one of the stars of the sale. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finders Larry D and Brooks for spotting this stunning beauty.

When Chevrolet released the Corvette in 1953, buyers could order one in any color they liked…as long as it was Polo White. It added an additional three for the following year and expanded the range to five shades in 1955. This ‘Vette is 1-of-120 ordered in Harvest Gold which ranked third among buyers. The owner recently treated it to a meticulous restoration, dropping an eye-watering $150,000 in the process. Its presentation is impossible to fault, which is hardly surprising considering it has accumulated a mere 166 miles since the work ended. The paint shade is complemented by a Dark Green Kennedy soft top. The chrome looks beautiful, and the glass is flawless. The original wheels and hubcaps look perfect, wrapped in wide whitewall tires. I mentioned this car having a brief claim to fame, which occurred shortly after the owner finished the build. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo drove this car across the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge during its official opening on August 24th, 2017. The Corvette received coverage in both the electronic and print media, and I found this shot of the journey courtesy of Flickr.

The company’s drivetrain choice was one of the harshest criticisms leveled at the Corvette during its first two years of production. As a genuine sports cars, buyers expected a V8 backed by a manual transmission. Many felt the 235ci Blue Flame six and two-speed Powerglide transmission didn’t cut the mustard. The situation remained unchanged in 1954, with the ‘Vette finally receiving the V8 it deserved in 1955. Buyers could still order their car with the Blue Flame, but only seven made that choice. The V8 in question was the 265ci unit, producing 195hp. Early cars received the Powerglide transmission, with seventy-five ticking the box beside the three-speed manual that appeared later that year. This car features the auto, and it is fascinating to analyze the difference the new motor made. The Corvette six took 18.1 seconds to cover the ¼-mile. Slip behind the wheel of the 265, and the time dropped to 16.6 seconds. It is unsurprising that it also raised the top speed from 102mph to 120mph. It’s easy to see why so few selected the less powerful option. The engine bay presents as impressively as the rest of the vehicle. Although the owner provides no information about how it runs or drives, it would be fair to expect mechanical perfection.

The seller continued focusing on the details when they attacked this classic’s interior. It is trimmed in a combination of Yellow and Dark Green, and it appears perfect. With only 166 miles showing on the odometer, it hasn’t had the opportunity to develop any wear or other issues. Although the company considered them options, every ’55 Corvette received directional signals, windshield washers, a heater, courtesy lights, a parking brake alarm, aluminized exhaust, and a Wonderbar radio. Everything works as it should, and all the new owner needs to do is slip behind the wheel and enjoy all this classic has to offer.

History shows that the fact the Corvette survived beyond 1955 was more a matter of company pride than a sound marketing decision. Chevrolet only sold 700 examples of the ‘Vette during that year, a massive drop compared to 1954. Although it never considered it a direct competitor, Ford’s ability to sell 16,155 Thunderbirds during the same year demonstrated that a market existed for a V8-powered two-seat drop-top. Had the Thunderbird failed, it is almost certain that the Corvette would have followed it into the pages of automotive history. However, that didn’t happen, with the Corvette soldiering on long after the T-Bird became a distant memory. Considering its overall condition, I expect the bidding on this car to quickly sail into six-figure territory, with recent sales results suggesting it will probably pass $165,000. That’s a bit rich for me, but would you be tempted to pursue it further as a long-term investment? If you do, I’d like to wish you good luck.