Based on a well-received concept vehicle, the Chevy Corvette debuted for 1953 and would remain largely unchanged for its first three years except for a V8 becoming available in 1955. Only 300 copies would be built for the first year, then 3,640 in 1954 and just 700 copies in Year 3. As a sports car, it was not designed for speed at first, using an inline six-cylinder engine with a 2-speed automatic transmission. The seller offers a dormant ’54 edition that appears in good overall condition and can be made to run off a gas can. Located in Fort Lupton, Colorado, it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $51,000.
The first generation of the Corvette (or C1) used the same platform through 1962, although the car’s appearance would change after 1955. It’s one of a small group of American-built production cars that has used a fiberglass body (one of its later contemporaries in that regard would be the 1963-64 Studebaker Avanti). These early ‘Vettes are sometimes referred to as the “solid-axle” generation as the fully independent suspension wasn’t used until the debut of the Stingray in 1963. The 1953 Corvette was hastily brought to market and early production problems prevented it from ever reaching the targeted 10,000 units for the first year. In fact, sales response was so light at the time that Chevrolet almost pulled the plug after the first year. We’re certainly glad they did not.
Production issues are said to have been worked out by the time the 1954 models went down the assembly line. While the only color choice available in ’53 was Polo White, the catalog was expanded in the second year, yet the seller’s ‘Vette is finished in white. Popular Mechanics conducted a survey of Corvette owners in late 1954. Many had owned a sports car before buying the Chevy and more than half of them actually rated the Corvette higher, even with the six-banger and Powerglide. Only 22 percent thought the Vette wasn’t as capable as the imports.
The seller’s 1954 Corvette looks complete, although there is a collection of parts in the trunk. We’re told it will run when hooked up to a secondary fuel source, which suggests that the everything between the gas tank and carburetor will need a good flushing out. The car seems to have been sitting idle for a while indoors, with at least one flat tire earned during that time. No accurate mileage estimate is offered, and the seller says the engine in the car is not it’s original.
It may not take a lot to get this car going again and neither the body nor interior look as though any immediate attention is needed. So, the challenge here is mechanical. A 1954 Corvette in Good condition is appraised at $56,000 by Hagerty and Concours examples could go for north of $120,000. So there seems to be some investment potential here even with the mid five-figures asking price.
The problem with the 53-55 is the lack of available parts. total production for 3 years was less than 5,000 cars. The people with parts know this. The gauges, taillights, shifter, steering wheel, spark plug shield, etc. are going to be expensive. It’s a nice car, but the buyer needs to be aware of the downside.
If I had $51,000 laying around, I’d buy it. (after verifying the FB ad was legit.)
The interesting thing is that grandma’s ’60’s 250 strait 6 with tiny 1 bbl carb puts out more hp(not sure how!!) than this multiple carbureted boat anchor, & weighs a whopping 190 lbs less!!
Of course a transplant of this newer also cast iron 6 would help handling, braking, mpg & acceleration, but would destroy the value of the car.
The 54 corvette engine was rated at 155Hp. This the same as the later inline 6
these early engines are a completely different era. The 216-Chevy’s first 6, has external oiling—really primitive. Even the 235–you don’t buy bearings–they are cast from Babbitt. to rebuild one, have to carry to machine shop that still does those things. Those early motors were built for pulling–the roads were primitive, so speed was not a consideration. That’s one reason the British auto manufacturers fell on such bad times –they didn’t modernize their motors and other mechanicals in mass market vehicles as they should have after WW2.
Chevy introduced pressurized oiling (no babbitt) in 53. All cars equipped with the powerglide transmission came with the more modern block.
Caution, NCRS members and purists read at your own risk. I missed a deal on one of those back in the eighties. Ever since then I’ve dreamed of modifying one. I’d love to put a pro-touring chassis under it with an LS motor and a 6 speed. Done right, it’s worth way more than original.
One of the guys in the local Corvette Club has a 54 he’s modified a bit. It has a 350 ci SB engine, not sure what tranny but it’s an automatic. Has had a few other mods done to it also. It’s a beautiful car but the big issue is it overheats unless it’s at highway speed.
First Corvette I ever saw was a new car ad on TV that showed all the new cars including the Corvettes.
Working in Northbrook, IL, way back in 1971, the gas station across the street had a ’53 with a Pontiac 370 with a 4-speed … I had never seen one before but it was love at first sight … it was for sale at $2,500 but to my twenty-year-old self it was astronomical … if only I knew I would have found a way to buy it …
Is it just me or am I the only one who really likes the design of the first Corvette?
It’s definitely not just you. IMHO the first Corvette is the most beautiful car ever made. It’s just my opinion. It’s a shame there are so many flaws that counteract the appearance–no roll-up windows, no exterior door handles, interior water leaks, exhaust pipes burning the white fiberglass, two-speed automatic transmission, mesh covering reducing the headlight beams at night, etc.
As a owner of a 55 that has been in our family since 69 I have never looked a the car as having flaws. I see it as a dream car come to reality. It is well documented that in 55 about 75 cars had a 3 speed manual installed and had the 265 V-8 too. I never noticed the headlight covers affecting the headlight visibility at night, but maybe they could slightly. I love the fact it does not have exterior door handles and the radio antenna is built into the trunk lid. Nonetheless I have been lucky to be driving my dream car for many many years and it is always a real thrill to hear it start up and produce that wonderful sound out of that rear burning fiberglass!
I agree, but then I like the design of all Corvettes.
With this one the writer forgot to mention the famous description, the body is as straight as a arrow. And it has perfect shut lines, even the trunk, while being held open in the photographs, it still has perfect shut lines while being held open.
How do you contact the seller if you do not have facebook? I cannot figure out how to make a contact.
Terry ae pages far as contacting the seller I believe all that you would need to do is tap on the link from above and then once on the page just leave a comment with maybe your email address.
Seller probably should have included, “Serious buyers only.” IMHO, FB is NOT the place to list a serious car for sale. This one should have more exposure to get better sale offers.
Can someone please educate me? What constitutes a ‘survivor’?
A survivor car is one that is largely original and has not been restored. I really don’t think that this car would qualify since the drivetrain has been replaced.
Surviver means original engine, paint, usually trans everything with the exception of wearable items such as brakes, belts, tires and such.
Somewhere along the line this term has been hyped to include cars that are not.
bobhess, I agree with the body style! My Dad and I rebuilt one back in the early/mid 60s. (Parts were available then) The car was missing the engine and transmission and had minor body repairs needed. It was cool to ride around in it then with the top down. (there is/was a kit car company that made replica bodies that were made to bolt to a GM “A” body chassis. And I always wanted to do one of their kits. But that Idea went the way of a one of a million that I wanted to do.) Once sold, we bought a ’58 in the same condition only needing more body repairs than the first one. It had a 4.10 posi rear diff, and with the over bored 283 that Dad put in it it was a real blast! BUT, C1 Corvettes ride hard and are not the best handling cars, but still fun to tool around in. I will always take a C4 or newer when it comes to ride, handling and overall comfort. But the C1s are a nostalgic walk in the park when cruising.
I agree with the gentleman who said they are worth more restro-moded then stock. I have a 54 that was ready for the salvage yard and started rebuilding it. I modified the frame and everything under it is 1990 ZR1. Engine went in fine, the ZF was a little more work. Four years in the making but down to doing the interior. They are a great looking car. Wanted to do a restro one of these years. Parts are very hard to find and expensive.
Why someone would go to the effort of pulling the original engine and not just rebuilding it and sticking it back in confounds me, unless of course the original engine had a rod sticking through the side of it. But a 53 Chevy 6 has to be one of the most simple and inexpensive motors to overhaul.
My kind of car Alexco! Great way to save an old car chassis.
Does anyone remember “The Shark” in the late ’50’s early 60’s? It was a custom Corvette (1954?) that had the headlights and grill shell frenched contoured out with a drop to give it the appearance of a sharks mouth…sort of. I googled it and found Bob McNulty’s Shark and the back in looks like it but not the nose or headlights. It would be interesting to see what the earlier styles of the car looked like.
This is so much more fun than looking at my retirement portfolio and while not likely to appreciate in a big way, doubtful you would lose money. For guys of my generation ( I’m 76 ) these were our dream cars from high school days. A friend had one back then and it was a blast to ride around in. This is very tempting. Maybe when my next Covid check comes…
I saw one of these advertised in LA about 30+ years ago for $7,000. I had $7,000. I called the number. A woman answered. She said to call a different number the next day at noon. Overnight I fantacised about buying it and taking it to the Corvette swap meet that weekend at Pomona and doubling my money. But I’ve also always wanted a 55 with the V8. Maybe I’d put a V8 in it. When I did call the guy asked what the most I’d pay for it? I said “Well, you’re asking $7,000 so…pause…I guess the most I’d be willing to pay would be $7,000” It turns out he was getting divorced and wanted the ex to think he was selling it for $7,000 but he really wanted $14,000. So I called the first number and told his wife about it.
And how long after that did you see his name in the obituarys 😁
is this where the legendary folk tales of the “dead body in a Corvette” came from?
Larry W Lang: I never realized the antenna was in the trunk lid.
My father had a 58 and he used the spears on the trunk lid as his antenna.