Asking Price: $19,500
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Title Status: Clean
Seller’s Description: Here is something you don’t see going down the road anymore. A 1953 Corvette! No, it’s not a real $300,000 original ’53 Vette, but a recreation that when finished will be the perfect attention getter for a fraction of the price of a real one. Everything is new! Has a new 383 stroker engine, new Tremec transmission, new tires, beautiful fiberglass body, no cracks or damage, titled as a 1953 Chevrolet with a clear title. I see people building these resto-mods and asking $80,000 to $100,000 and more. Starts and runs good, just needs final finishing touches. My father left it to me and I am moving so I can’t take it with me, so I am selling it for about a third of what he had invested in it. I can send more pictures upon request. I am not a gearhead like my dad was, but will try to answer any questions the best I can.
Body Condition: Mint Condition.
Mechanical Condition: All new engine and drivetrain.
After looking around, there have been a few of these replicas that have sold recently for decent money. The body alone is probably worth Ainslee’s asking price. With a little work, it could be a fun driver, especially with the 383. A modern LS V8 would obviously increase performance and resale value, but why mess with something that isn’t broken? So, would you try to make this replica more like the original or would you go wild and build it into the Corvette of your dreams?
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Interesting hot rod, but a lot of questions on it.
What type of chassis?
What is going on with that shifter?
And that roll bar is going to need work, no cross brace at all.
Rat Fink from the late 60’s..looks dated
I also would do away with the shifter.
I’ve seen a couple done before that we’re on a 49-54 Chev passenger car chassis. They were titled as that too. That is after all what the C1s were actually on.
The frame under the 53-62 Corvettes were unique to the Corvette. The passenger car’s wheelbase is 17 inches longer than the Corvettes. The only thing shared with the 49-54 passenger car, was some of the front suspension pieces.
Back in the early 80’s there was a company building replica 53’s on 3rd generation Monte Carlo frames. Looking at the radiator and fan shroud, this could be one of those Monte Carlo based reproduction 53’s.
I say, keep the shifter, but always use it with your pinkie out.
It’s all about the pinkie! Ever try shifting like that? Me neither.
$20k? Seems like a steal at that price! I’d make that roll bar a bit lower and less squarish looking then probably do something with the shifter. Other than that, what’s not to love!
I’m not a fan of the roll bar, but this isn’t a race car, it’s there for appearance only.
It could use a bit more continuity, there is a real mix of parts. That could be easily fixed for not much money.
Steve R
“a real mix of parts”… well put. I was going to say that it’s all over the place.
Sounds like a great project to complete and the price is very reasonable. Like most others comments it would be nice to know about the suspension, brakes, etc. and the roll bar would have to be either removed or at least shortened and the shifter though nice for certain applications this car is not one of them.
Leave the shifter alone.
seems like an over priced ‘dune buggy’. Can’t get in the dunes & has over sized motor. “Different strokes” tho…