In 1953, Chevrolet introduced the Corvette with a six-cylinder engine, a two-speed automatic gearbox, a convertible top, removable windows, and a price that exceeded Chevy’s Cadillac with its V8 motor. This new entrant from Chevrolet looked sporty and was inconvenient like a sports car, but it didn’t perform like a sports car. Meanwhile, the US economy had just entered a recession. Sales in the first year amounted to only 300 cars and in the second year just over 3600 cars. A third of those remained unsold by the end of the year. These factors nearly consigned the Corvette to the dustbin. Today, collectors have become sophisticated enough to appreciate early Corvettes for what they were: the emergence of one of the greatest sports cars of all time. Here on eBay is a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette for restoration, bid to $29,950. The reserve has been met. The car is located in Reading, Pennsylvania; bring a trailer because this car has no motor.
This car offers the opportunity to head toward its original configuration with a 235.5 cu. in. in-line six-cylinder and Powerglide automatic transmission; create a mildly upgraded vehicle; or even go full hot rod. The seller says he has had the car for a year and has traced ownership back to 1970. It was missing its drivetrain even back then, but it does have clutch pedals. Apparently, someone planned a V8/manual transmission swap but never got around to it. The body and frame are said to be in good condition, with possibly original Polo White paint. The undercarriage is very dry.
The interior was recovered at some point and remains in good condition. The seller indicates some parts are missing completely, but he does have a nice set of side curtains. The convertible top is present but likely needs to be replaced. The chrome is driver quality and will need replating if you aspire to the show circuit.
Parts that come with the sale include a radio, chrome pieces, a couple of gauges, and other fitments. Plenty of items are missing, but since this car will never be original, shopping eBay, Zip, or Volunteer Vette can be pursued with abandon. Prices for the 1954 ‘Vette are all over the map, from six figures for well-restored original cars down to the sixty-thousand level for driver-quality examples. This car seems like a great start but it’s encroaching on a price that is starting to feel expensive to me. What do you think?
I would do the blue flame six but make it a 3 or 4 speed, just like Chevy should have done in the first place. Does anyone know why it was only the auto?
The Blue Flame six received improvements in 1953 like fully pressurized oiling and modern insert bearings when paired with the Powerglide. It only made sense to use this version of the six. The automatic was considered more advanced also and some in GM believed it would appeal to a broader range of potential buyers.
Could have made it an option.
Don’t know what modifications GM did to the engines other than the triple carb setup but a few of the modifications the dirt track racers put on the GMC versions of the engine could do wonders for the six in the Corvettes. Agree the transmission should be a manual. The two cars I drove really didn’t have enough power to get out their own way. Think maybe the price is a bit high for a roller where “assembly required”.
Those are the best stock fitting doors I’ve seen on a 53-54 .
The price here is reasonable to build as is and use a small block . It would look very original and drive much more fun than original.
I owned one, probably not this one, when i sold it in ’68 it was all stock except the exhaust system, for 1954 it was very fast in a straight line, but not good going around corners, terrible in snow. Fiberglass was badly crazed, side curtains badly scratched, BUT, given that mechanically it was a ’54 Chevy, since the 30’s “the Old Reliable”, it was. Ran flawlessly with appropriate maintenance. Put in a new small block, 4 speed, 12 volt, dual master cylinder, drive it. There are more than enough museum quality ones.
I really liked this car when it first came out (1953) and I was 11. The 1954 was basically the same, but the taillights did not have the little side slots… so this looks like a 53. That’s a lot of money for a car with no engine.
How about an 4.2L Atlas 6?
“with a price that exceeded Chevy’s Cadillac with it’s V8 engine” Someone needs to go to Automotive Corporation Organization Remedial Class. I’m actually embarrassed to have to spell this out. GM made Cadillac and Chevrolet. Chevrolet made the Corvette. Chevrolet had nothing to do with Cadillac, or it’s V8 engine. (No, I am not picking on Michelle because of her gender. She typically does a great job. Think of this as Equal Opportunity Razzing)
Right-o, sorry, writing too fast. I do know that.
Way over priced for what you are getting. A roller with no motor or trans. For that kind of price the car should be drivable.
No engine, no transmission, and it looks way better far away. Too much money for what it needs; since it can never be what it was, it will never fetch big money. Oh, well. Another moonlight memory car.
Chevy’s Cadillac? Lost interest after that.
With the value’s of 50’s fiberglass ” kit cars” today ( Woodhill, Ladawri, Devin) increasing, this gem has hit $30k. A specialty builder will buy it , fix the body, add updated driveline and make a profit. We restored a ’53, #88, 20 years ago, a decent driver, but the resin had deteriorated, leaving alot of fiber visible, hired a boat guy to repair that, hopefully this is better, but doubtful, a good restomod project.
I would not give 30kfor that 54 heap..there’s a reason no motor is in it..they can’t find one…it should go back with original motor and tranny.. just a putter…I hope someone gives it a home. ..not my 30k.
I am sure many of you know or have heard about the 53 Corvette that, Kind dig it Design is building , that for lack of a better description is a modern re- creation of a C-1 Corvette. There are about a 1/2 dozen completed and sold and I have heard, orders for another, 2 dozen or so. Not bad for re-creation of an iconic car , with a price tag approaching a half million dollars. I know many of you will be bad mouthing this whole concept ,of what a bad idea it is, for multiple reasons. I would say ,don’t say that until you have seen the car and think about the implications. I have seen it and I love it, I don’t know how to describe it , it reminds me of a piece of art and I want it. Will ,I ever own one no, but that’s true of most of the cars I want. I would love to know what, Kin-Dig It’s plans are after this, because I am sure they have one. If you look at their history of building custom cars they never rest ,they are always trying to out do their last build. My guess is ,they will end this run before they run out of buyers and pull something else from their trick bag, that will be better. YES, I am a fan ,can I afford a car, NO, but I think its way cool somebody is building it.
It does have a motor – the electric heater motor on the right-hand side. No engine however.
A 327 cod w/th350.