1954 was very early in the days of the Chevrolet Corvette, and many that date back this far have been with numerous owners, including some that have lost track of how many different garages they’ve called home. Although this one doesn’t have a traceable history from the beginning, the seller says it was under the same ownership for 50 years, so it’s been passed around fewer times than most surviving C1 examples and driven a lot less as well. This 1954 Corvette here on eBay has reportedly covered just 32,000 miles, with documentation on file, and it’s also currently running and driving. Located in Miami, Florida, the no-reserve auction has already reached $36,950 with 21 bids, suggesting there is quite a bit of interest here.
The seller says the previous owner was in his eighties, but it’s possible he stopped driving at a considerably younger age, given that this one has so few miles. There’s no mention of what sort of documentation is provided to back up the 32k claim, and not a whole lot of specific information period, such as how the driver’s quarter ended up looking like it does now. The seller describes this one as a good candidate for restoration, noting that the bones are strong, but also mentions the idea of just driving it around with its present patina. I’m leaning toward the former here, as the so-called patina areas aren’t very pleasing to the eye.
To grasp how far back this one is in the Corvette lineup, it was produced before a V8 was even available, with that option not showing up until the third-year of production in 1955. The sole engine available in ’54 was the 235 CI inline-6, lovingly known as the Blue Flame, with 3 Carter carburetors sitting off to the side. The seller states all three were recently rebuilt but still need adjusting, and also says the gas tank was replaced, so perhaps with a bit of skilled fine-tuning, this one will be mechanically ready for some trouble-free cruising.
There’s no word on whether the interior is original or has been reworked, but it could probably get by with very little attention, as the only obvious defect is a torn seam on the passenger seat. More good news comes from below, as several shots of the undercarriage appear to show a very solid frame. With some fiberglass-smoothing and fresh paint, I’m feeling this would be a first-class second-year Corvette, and wouldn’t be surprised to see the price keep climbing here. What are your thoughts on this one?
Gas overflow is not very good on fiberglass.
Gas overflow is not very good for paint.
I’d like to see the other end of those throttle cables. Pedal pressure must have been stout.
Yes, they look like choke cables! Plenty of room for the “Uni-syn once you pull off the air cleaners. So adjusting the carbs should be a snap. And then, find some better throttle cables! I sawone of these atvthe 50th Anniversary Corvette Bash this a 3 speed manual transmission. (The only manual ’53-55 6 cylinder Corvette I have ever seen.) I believe it was in the Corvette corral at the Museum. I pay attention to these since Dad and I restored on back in the early ’60s. Cool car to have for parades ot running errands with. But a long drive will be hard on your back. (Ask me how I know)
“lovingly known as the stovebolt…”
Someone correct me if I’m wrong. But only the babbit pounders were know as the stove bolt six. This is a 235 with high (35 psi?) pressure lubrication.
@Terry The cables are for chokes. Throttle blades use linkage rods.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong. But only the babbit pounders were know as the stove bolt six. This is a 235 with high (35 psi?) pressure lubrication.
My Dad had a 53. Put the fiberglass back together, around the tailpipes was a pain. As I remember the valve covers were blue and had blue flame on them. He took it to Earl Scheib to get it painted. It was the 60’s so we didn’t have a lot of money to get a classy paint job. Getting it tuned up was another fun job, with three carburetors to sync up I heard a lot of swearing as a young child. Looks like a lot of body work to get it back in shape.
Courtney H is correct, those cables are for the choke, the throttles are controlled by rods and levers. 1968 was the first year any Corvette used throttle cables.
54 was the first year all 235’s had a pressure oiling system, but I think most car people back then often referred to even the third generation of the Chevy 6 used through 1962 as “Stovebolt”. The nickname had to do with the engine side cover bolts that looked like bolts used on wood stoves.
It would be nice to know if it has the correct “241” casting head, as many don’t, but overall it looks like a pretty complete, unmolested 54 Corvette.
I’d love to know how this seller comes up with these Corvettes. Admittedly, most are pretty rough, though this one does seem better than a lot of the cars he advertises.
4 sided bolts? I guess my 8 point sockets could possibly come in handy!
The eBay photos show that it’s not a “241” head.
To anyone considering buying anything from this seller, search for “The Nightmare 1972 Corvette I Bought on eBay — Cobbled Together Junk” on YouTube.
I’m really not sure why BF continues to promote this shyster’s EBay listings.
Better Corvettes are easy to find on EBay and everywhere else.