It’s hard to believe now, but the Chevy Corvette got off to a rocky start in 1953-55 and was in danger of being canceled. Fortunately, the availability of a V8 engine and manual transmission after the first two years helped, plus the styling got updated in 1956. This 1954 edition is an incomplete project where some modernization work has been started, but more remains to put the old girl back out on the road. Located in Walker, Louisiana, this ‘Vette is available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $12,669.69 with an unmet reserve.
Chevy’s fiberglass-bodied Corvette saw only 300 copies made in 1953. You could get one in any color you wanted as long as it was white. The color palette was expanded in 1954 and production increased to 3,640 units, but the cars were still propelled by the 235 cubic-inch “Blue Flame” inline-6 with a Powerglide automatic. A V8 emerged in ’55, but sales took a step back to just 700 cars. Who would have blamed Chevrolet if they had pulled the plug after that? Fortunately, that didn’t happen, and the rest is history as the sports car is still in production after nearly 70 years.
This 1954 Corvette is a work-in-progress. What you see is what you get and if it’s not in the photos, it’s not there. Someone started with a solid body and chassis and began making updates to the car, the most significant being the addition of a 350 cubic-inch crate engine along with a K-case 700r4 automatic transmission. The project comes with a complete exhaust system and a new aluminum radiator (in the trunk). However, the body will need further prepping before paint, an interior will need to be sourced, and the car has yet to be “wired or plumbed.”
As a stock ‘54 Corvette in Concours condition, this automobile has the potential of being a $150,000 car. Even though the motor and transmission would be improvements, would they detract from the car’s value due to lack of originality?
Man, the body work here is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
Gee, as old Corvettes go, I don’t think the body looks all that bad. I’d be much more concerned about the missing parts, and the cost and difficulty of replacing them.
This would be a nice pro touring style car, new frame, big brakes with perhaps a full on GNX V6 with a 5-6 speed, black with a red, Lt blue or Lt green interior. Bright and different from the other C1’s
The seller says “What you see is what you get, no extra parts.” There’s a LOT of stuff missing, it doesn’t matter if you’re restoring it or building a Restomod. The buyer better have REALLY deep pockets to finish this project. I wouldn’t want it at any price.
A few years ago, I rebuilt a basket-case ’57 that was in about the same condition. It had been a racer at some point, and was really a “nothing matching” collection of parts from several C1s. As gbvette62 said, the missing parts can add up. Mine actually came with cartons of dusty/rusty parts. Most had at least some patina, but were generally rebuildable, or otherwise usable. Some turned out to be for other years, and I was able to do some trading. There was No Way my car could ever be a decent NCRS type showable car.
I decided to bring it back to how it was, when racing in the late 60s. I had several friends in the Corvette business doing restorations, resto-mods, and other work on C1s resulting in a good supply of very reasonably priced surplus parts. The bodywork (mine was worse) was surprisingly easy, especially as I was going for the faded old racer look. As it was being built as a “racer”, I could use any parts that would fit and work. The car came with a nice freshly rebuilt 283 and rebuilt 4-spd. I am a big guy, so I used less-bulky(nice black leather) seats from a ’61 , and a smaller diameter steering wheel that looked very similar to original.
When finished, the car looked great in it’s old faded red and black racing colours. I resisted putting on stickers and numbers etc .
The car was fun to drive, and was a hit at cruise nights, and was (surprisingly) even invited to NCRS meet.
If the ’54 was closer, I would consider it. I think it has potential as a period-correct 60s hot-rod project.
Cam W
In my book you’ve got it right. Period correct hot rod. I’ve never understood the need of a pristine nut and bolt correct restoration. Have fun and make the thing a real driver, with a modest budget. These things are machines built to be used, abused? Not just to be put on pedestals to look at while they deteriorate.
Exactly Robt, Id lift this Body off and roll a Mildly wrecked Modern Vette Chassis Under it. with all the Modern Creature Comforts. That 54 Unit is the same as those years standard Chevy Sedans Bell Crank steering and all. Not worth reusing on this Picture I see.
Wouldn’t put any more into it than is bid now but agree with the above comments about taking what you’ve got and running with it. As said, this one is not going to be an easy build.
As a 17 yr old punk kid, I put a $50 deposit on a ‘55 red Corvette, V 8, three speed manual. I thought I could talk the folks into a loan. I was wrong. Think the price was $2500 in 1957. Champagne dreams, no money!
I agree with Yvette62 and Cam W. I rebuilt a ’59 a few years ago and all the accessories gave me sticker shock. The fact that I didn’t go back original and I had extra parts to sell made it half way affordable.
Finish out the body and paint WITH knarly FLAMES, drop in a 570+ cubic inch big block (preferably all-aluminum), Muncie M-22, minimal / aluminum interior, fiberglass drag seats, Simpson belts, fire extinguisher, unobtrusive roll bar, Hilborn injection w/stacks through the (already punched) hood, Cheaters and American Torque-thrust wheels, traction bars, wheelie bars, then make the scene at the bars.
Again, would-be museum curators, quake in your boots.
Just primer outside & drive it around as a rat rod, slowly ad on parts as u find them @ swap meets & leave a ‘4 sale sign on it’, there’s another sucker out there!
Just buy cheap as u can & use body/parts as a Drag car. Duh
$150,000 for a ’54? No way!! Not even for one with its original engine and trans.
The original comment from Barn finds was that this car fixed up has the potential of $150,000, not in present condition
@walt
And my comment was that even fully restored there is no way it would be worth $150k!
Right, this Vette does not have the potential for $150k. It will never be matching numbers and all that.
Yep, I would resto-mod it perhaps. There are aftermarket frames that take more modern Corvette suspensions. That might be fun.
Or keep it crude and funky.
No wrong choices here, are there. Heck, just throw the remains into a thicket of weeds and bushes in your toney suburban neighborhood to piss of you neighbors.
U would b surprized of all the big $ out there wanting a tricked out car, just because U & I don’t have it don’t mean it’s not out there. Lot’s of these idoit Mopar guys spending $10-15,000 4 a VIN # 4 a rust bucket Charger/Cuda, $100-200,000 4 Mustangs & Camaros & other cars
But NOT for an original restored 1954 Chevrolet Corvette!