Garage Kept 53 Years: 1954 Chevrolet Corvette

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As successful as the Chevy Corvette is today, many forget it had a rocky start. Only 300 copies were produced in 1953, followed by 3,640 in 1954 and just 700 copies in 1955. Fortunately, the numbers bounced back after that, and the rest is history. This ’54 edition has been off the road since 1968 and is still owned by the same party who tucked it away in a garage in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Available here on Hemmings Classified, the asking price is $48,000 and subject to negotiation.

The Corvette was built a renovated plant in St. Louis, Missouri that could crank out 10,000 copies a year. So, the 1954 model would fall short by two-thirds and in fact, there was a lot of leftover inventory at the end of the year. Part of that was caused by increased interest in the European sports cars that the Corvette was competing against. Although more than one color choice was offered in ‘54 (white only in ‘53), Polo White cars with a red interior still accounted for 80% of production.

We don’t know how long the seller has owned this Corvette, but the number of years is at least 53 because that’s when the seller last drove the car. It still retains an original 235 cubic inch “Blue Flame” six-cylinder engine paired with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic (the lack of a manual transmission may have contributed to the car’s initial lackluster sales). This ‘Vette was made back in the days of six-volt electrical systems. The car accumulated 85,000 miles by the time it went into hibernation.

There are a few missing pieces to the car, such as side curtains and wheel covers. The Chevy is extremely dirty considering how long it’s been concealed. We wonder how it would look after giving a bath since the fiberglass body is not subject to rust, although the undercarriage is. Concours copies of the ’54 Corvette can bring $150,000, while even Fair condition will fetch $36,000, according to Hagerty. The seller is looking for one-third more than that for a non-running car that will need an undetermined amount of attention.

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Comments

  1. bobhess bobhessMember

    How about being worth $4,800 in it’s present condition, whatever that is.

    Like 18
  2. jerry z

    Asking $48K and not even any attempt at detailing the car. Like the saying goes, it takes money to make money.

    Typical barn find mentality.

    Like 14
  3. James Bishop

    If the seller really was serious about selling the car , you’d think he at least wash the years of neglect off it and have more pictures and info . The car is for sale as it is . And based on the non- pictures and driven 85k miles to it’s death and asking 48k is insane . the car at average use/ wear condition it’s in 10-12k . Lot of expensive hidden problems for being dead forever , you would spend more than you think to bring back to operating condition probably 75kplus if your lucky . And don’t believe Hagerty they are over priced and a car is only worth what it is . Do you homework first or give away money .

    Like 32
  4. Michael

    I never understood how and why anyone would neglect a car like this for that long. And now they think it’s worth big money? Barret-Jackson, Meacum fever.

    Like 21
  5. Anthony

    I have 2 NOS grille teeth for one if these.

    Like 5
  6. Dave Schiller

    $5,000 to $10,000. Maybe.
    Restored $$$$$$

    Love to own if I were younger. Too old to do the work now.

    Always loved the early Vette.

    Like 0
  7. JERRY BEATTY

    It will take another 60,000 to restore. Just finished a 64 and not cheap to do any restoration on these cars…. Would love to own, but no way at that price.
    Good luck in selling…

    Like 0
  8. Jake

    Does the dirt come with the car or is that extra?

    Like 10
  9. steve

    put it back.

    Like 5
  10. Frank Sumatra

    Under the dirt is a 1954 Corvette. How many of the original production run do you think might be left? Of all the dirty, clapped-out, images we see here this one might actually be worth the money, time and effort required.

    Like 3
    • Jake

      The question is, if it’s worth all that time and effort to fix this car up considering that price. No pics of the internals means most likely it’s in worse shape than the externals.

      Like 7
    • JFK

      That is far more than dirt. That entire body glass is all dehydrated as well. The car needs a lot of love, years of dedicated love, money alone will not restore that car.

      Like 0
    • Frank

      The seller is smart by leaving it in this condition. They are only original once. Dirt is not a bad thing. Rust is!

      Like 1
  11. Daral

    So when do we get to see it cleaned up and way more pictures?

    Like 0
  12. Troy

    The stupid high prices people are paying for cars today I think the owner will get their asking price or close to it. However it makes me wonder how so much dirt got on it with the cover over it and how much rodent damage there is to the wiring and interior.

    Like 7
  13. Tiberius1701

    Mold is not a selling point.

    Like 2
  14. Roy EsterMember

    Its missing the two most expensive items, HUB CAPS & side windows. these two items will cost around $5000.00 to $7,000.o0. i know because i did a 54` a short time ago!!. This car finished may bring around $ 50,000. to $60,000.00

    Like 3
    • Johnny

      Before I would give $5,000-$7,000 for hub caps and side curtains. I would donate it to St Jude–Operation Smile–Smike Train,–St Labrea Indian school first. Helping kids that need help comes to me first–before ANY WAY OVER PRICE VEHICLE PART OR VEHICLE. A KIDS SMILE IS PRICELESS–A CAR IS NOT.

      Like 5
      • Alexander KRESS

        Johnny – then visit the kids and get a bigger smile than
        you would at a car show.

        Like 2
  15. Howie Mueler

    No engine photo, and no good interior photo, must be a reason.

    Like 6
  16. man ' war

    I would have tried to clean it to b/c that is just me. But on the other hand, potential buyers are getting what it actually appears like as a dirtball. There was no cleaning involved to try to hide years of neglect.
    The low production number of the 54 Corvettes reminds me of the low conversion numbers of the 81/82 Ford Fairmonts converted to little pickups called Durangos with 212 (being the ballpark figure) actual conversions. I owned one for a couple of months. And what I liked was that the bed was fiberglass so I did not have to worry about rust in that portion since I had it parked outside. However, it did have signs of rust in the other areas.

    Like 0
  17. Jake

    It’s a typo, folks. I think the seller meant to say it’s -$48,000. He’ll give you that amount to haul it away.

    Like 1
  18. Gordon

    Looks like a new top . . . Why not close the driver door unless ? What was the original color unless it was white ? Could this be like a Civil War Revolver . . Clean it up , remove the patina and you lessen the value of it . . Just wondering . .

    Like 0
    • Jake

      I think if you take away the dirt and the patina, there won’t be any car left.

      Like 2
    • Ted-M

      Why is the cover so much cleaner than the car! Something isn’t right!

      Like 2
  19. Jim

    Negotiable

    Like 0
  20. PRA4SNW

    At least you are buying it from the owner who last drove it in 1968 and not a flipper that everyone here seems to hate.

    I give kudos to the guy for trying to get what he thinks it is worth to him instead of caving and selling it for pennies, or just as bad, doing nothing and his estate sucks it up.

    Like 1
  21. Scott L.

    Looks better with the cover on.

    Like 1
  22. Gordon

    I don’t think giving it a good bath would cause it to be worth less . . Patina is worth something . . You wouldn’t want to take that away by breaking out the sandpaper . . Leave that to the buyer . .

    Like 0

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