There’s no shortage of companies that have taken it upon themselves to try and improve the Chevrolet Corvette, with some ventures turning out better than others. One that seems to have hit a bullseye is the 1953/2003 Commemorative Edition from Advanced Automotive Technologies, or AAT for short. This creation is not something that GM was a part of, but a transformation that was available for C5 owners who sent their ‘Vette to AAT for a metamorphosis that resembles a first-year C1, at least in certain areas. This one started life as a 2004 model, and this beauty is said to be #66 in the order of production. Priced at $69,900, it’s located in Springfield, Missouri, and can be found here on Premier Sports Cars.
Barn Finds reader Jack M. found this one and sent in the tip, and we’d like to thank him for making us aware of it! AAT made the conversion available for C5 hardtops or convertibles, and the finished product works really well on this droptop. While the doors remain mostly stock, extensive mods to the front and rear emulate the beauty of a ’53 model, and I’m particularly keen on all those chrome bumpers. The fit and finish appear to be high quality as well, and it’s also a plus for the next owner that this Corvette has been driven so sparingly, with only 19,615 actual miles.
While this one displays many of the external classy lines found on a fifties Corvette, the mechanicals from 2003 remain untouched, with the engine bay retaining its LS1 V8. That’s a much more capable performer than could be had in the car’s early days, producing 350 HP and a torque number slightly higher, plus this example also has an automatic transmission. No specifics are provided, but the seller mentions that this Corvette has been recently serviced, so hopefully it’s ready to get behind the wheel of and enjoy with no immediate maintenance needed.
Surprisingly, no photos in the listing show a close-up of the entire interior in just one shot. However, we do get some bits and pieces, such as the commemorative numbered plaque located between the 2 red bucket seats. I have a hard time not believing this one likely looks every bit as good inside as out, and the car’s low mileage is certainly another positive factor to consider when deciding how much you’re willing to spend here. Is this best-of-both-worlds 1953/2003 AAT Commemorative Edition Corvette a C1/C5 that’s destined for your garage?
As cool as they get. Nicely done and good looking.
I saw one once parked in the paddock of the local track, the proportions look off.
Not sure if there are many buyers at suck a high premium over a regular Corvette of that year.
Steve R
I agree with Steve R. I saw one at a car show last summer. Proportions are off and the transitions from 1953 styling and 2093 styling are very abrupt in person.
Yep, proportions are off: nose is too long in relation to the tail. Shorten that nose a bit, and maybe add 3″-4″ to the tail (?) and it would help greatly.
Is anyone else having issues getting their website to load and open up?
Ok here Greg 📱
I’ve had two of them and loved them. Best of both worlds, new mechanics and old styling.
Looks more like a old T-bird than Vette
John!! How could you even think that!!
Kent-(2) 1956 Tbirds
Id take a 53 over this any day of the week!
They just look off, portions are definitely not doing it for me. I’m sure they are nice cars but just look funny. Kind of like the AMC Marlins, you either love them or hate them.
The side trim is a styling disaster and the front bumpers could have been done better but overall I like the design.
A head turner double take for me! An exercise in RETRO that I think very appealing- especially the low raked windshield. Still, the later styling of the ’62 would have been an overall better choice to blend into this retro look. I think an interesting and appealing blend that does not violate overall linear appeal, nor any design elements–except likely more successful as a 62 in my opinion. Love it or hate it, a mega project of blending, a ton of work, and a good look.
Being a fan of the ’53–55 Corvette and not a fan of the C5 body style (big butt backbend) but I like the mechanicals. I really like this. But, I’m not in the market for a Corvette these days.
Ok, I’ll throw my 2 cents in even though it won’t mean much.
The first thing I noticed was the width. It’s wider than the C1 and personally, I like the width.
The second thing I noticed was the severely raked windshield which is a dead give away. But still, not unattractive. On some other conversions that raked windshield looks a mess proportion wise.
Had to read the comments to realize the front is unusually long but that’s to accommodate the C5 long hood short deck. Can’t really tell from the photos. A good side view would tell.
All in all, this land yacht queen kinda likes this conversion. Wish we could see the interior but I assume it’s untouched.
Kind of wish they could have somehow integrated the 4 exhaust ports into the ’53 duel exhaust.
Every girl with a bunch of Cadillacs and a Lincoln or two and an Imperial should have a Corvette like this in her collection. Just for those days she’s feeling randy.
There are lots of photos of the interior. You just have to select the “Interior” button on the seller’s website. There are also photos of the engine, wheels, accessories and a video.
Hideous – looks like something that should be residing with large catfish in the bottom of a swamp. Perhaps it spawned the Pontiac Solstice :-)
Well, I certainly can’t speak to the proportions of one as I have never seen one in the wild, but I can make two pretty firm observations, it looks great in the photos and I would think that one would have to compare this at $70,000 to one of Dave Kindigs CF-1s at $800,000. (I know, apples to oranges, still, just sayin’)
These look great in photos, but lose a little something in person. The front is much lower and wider than the original. Still, vastly superior to the ’57 Chevy body kits that are wrong from every angle.
If I had 70K I would drive it regardless of proportions!
@JB. I don’t go to websites. Barn Finds is done on my phone as I don’t own a computer. And there are no interior pictures on BF.
I know I can go to the website from my phone. I choose not to.
Hello, Angel Cadillac Queen Diva! I am in the same situation: no computer, only the ‘phone. I still remember when you said I could be your Dad. (smile)
I mostly like it for corvette conversions this is one of the better ones I have seen, however I’m not really liking the rear trunk area I think it would have looked better if they copied about the 1960 tail end
I’m going to agree with those who believe the proportions are goofy. I’ve seen several around here and the windshield rake is the most egregious of the proportion blunders.
If we are going to revisit the past I’d prefer a Mako Shark body on top of a C5.
When these first appeared in 2003 I thought they were cool. I sent photos to some car buddies and one replied, “How much to turn it back into a stock 2003 Corvette?!” I guess 20+ years later I share the sentiment. Much like the “Avantis” based on Mustangs and Firebirds.
Dealer website shows “Sale Pending.” These conversions started in the low $30Ks 23 years ago ($55K+ in today’s money) plus your C5 to produce. Not saying they aren’t well done, but that’s a lot of money for something that may ultimately limit the appeal of your C5.