Very early Chevrolet Corvettes, such as this 1955 C1, aren’t regular attendees here on Barn Finds but they are certainly notable cars. The year 1955 marked the beginning of Chevrolet’s famed fiberglass two-seater being paired with the small block V8 engine – a pairing that would continue through 1996 when Chevrolet’s ubiquitous V8 engine would give way to the similar, but more modern LS series V8. Today’s find is absolutely a project but there’s certainly quite a bit here with which to work. Pescadero, California is where you’ll find this early ‘Vette domiciled and it’s available, here on craigslist for $45,000 – firm.
As the seller mentions, production volume in ’55 was light with just 700 units leaving the St. Louis, MO assembly plant. More telling is the powerplant breakdown as Corvsport claims just seven of those 700 copies were powered by the ‘Vette’s original 235 CI “Blue-Flame” six-cylinder engine. The times had changed, buyers recognized it, and the Corvette was now on its way to being a serious contender. We’re told that this Chevy is still in possession of its original, matching numbers 195 gross HP, 265 CI V8 engine and Powerglide automatic transmission. The seller adds, “64,000 miles, runs and drives, recent exhaust, brakes, carb rebuild, and new gas tank“.
The seller mentions that this Corvette is finished in Harvest Gold – well, sorta there is still some evidence of it, in various places. Corvette marketing publications from the era mention Polo White and Pennant Blue as the two available finishes but Corvsport does reference Harvest Gold as an option, specifically 120 copies were so finished. The real issue, however, is the missing fiberglass panels though the listing mentions that the seller has the side curtains, hardtop, fiberglass for the side repair, front bumpers, emblems, the rest of the side body moldings, etc. The folding top frame is still in place but it’s fabricless.
The interior is in rough shape though the seller mentions, “I have a brand new green carpet kit and a green cloth convertible top“. OK, that helps but it’s going to need more than that as the seats and door cards are kaput. A Wonderbar radio is included in the sale so that’s helpful.
I’m a bit confused by the statement, “My plans were to drive this car and leave it as is as a survivor“. By our “Survivor” definition that would mean leaving this Corvette as is with no improvements or restoration applied. Redoing the interior, fixing the body, and then repainting the entire exterior would negate the survivor authenticity. Still, this Corvette has a lot going for it with its original, and first-year V8 engine. Finally, let’s talk price, at a firm $45K what do you think, priced right, or not quite?
There were five colors available in 1955: Polo White (325), Gypsy Red (180), Harvest Gold (120), Pennant Blue (45), and Corvette Copper (15). The Harvest Gold examples looked sharp with their yellow interiors and green tops.
There were only 700 1955 Corvettes because over 1000 of the 3,640 1954 Corvettes built were unsold at the end of the year.
Does anybody know if the Powerglide was the only trans. for ’55 or could you get a stick with the V-8? When I was a kid in the early ’70’s there was a ’55 running around town with a V-8 and a stick (3 or 4 speed I don’t know). It was pretty rough so it may not have been all original. I think I read somewhere that there was fewer ’55’s because dealers had leftover ’54’s and some may have swapped out the sixes for V-8’s just so they could sell them. Also does anybody know when Chevy started with the “Corvette” valve covers. I’m sure ther is a lot more of those around than Vettes because everybody wanted them for their small block no matter what it was.
Per Wikipedia: “Early production 1955 V8 Corvettes continued with the mandatory-option Powerglide automatic transmission (as did the few 6-cylinder models built). A new three-speed manual transmission became available later in the year for V8 models, but was not popular with about 75 equipped with it.”
3 speed was available but very few were made!
Right, I have a ’66 283 with early early finned Corvette aluminum valve covers. I’m sure they were a popular accessory.
Calling a car a survivor can have so many different definitions when it comes to old cars like this. It’s one’s opinion compared to another. I believe that if a car this old is brought back to life and driven to a car show, it’s certainly a survivor. Compare that to an old 70’s era muscle car that’s rusted from frame to half way up the doors and will never see the road again – Not a survivor. Maybe calling an all original vehicle a “perfect survivor” would be a more appropriate description.
I don’t remember the 265 c i engine making 195 hp. The 283 ci engine made 195 with a 2 bbl carb. This car or what is left of it is not worth $45,000! It will take that much to fully restore it.
Look at the attached.
JO
Way to nail the naysayers!
If you payed $45k for the car and $45K to restore it you would still be okay. These cars are worth more than you think.
This is a great deal but will take great effort to bring it back. Good luck to new owner!
These have not been holding their value very well over the past couple of years. Prolly have close to $75K in it by the time you got it finished, and that’s about what they’re worth today. Buy it for the love of the car, not to make a profit.
As a teen, I had a $50 deposit on a red ‘55, V 8, 3 speed manual. Couldn’t get folks to back me. Was lucky to get $50 back. I think the price was $2200.
It seams that we knew about the same car or we saw 2 really rare ones. The one I saw running around town as a kid was also a red stick shift car, but may not have been original.
This was in Downey , CA area around 1958.
Hard to put a number on this car without seeing the engine numbers to determine if it’s at least numbers matching. Also hard without seeing pictures underneath – is there a frame left. After restoring a 54 with a much better starting point – didn’t have to replace any fiberglass – it will likely run close to or into 6 figures to restore it. The only way this is a survivor is to drive it like it is – just barely a survivor. The buyer has lots of options – make it safe and reliable and drive it looking like a turd, since much of the fiberglass will need to be replaced or reworked, it could be a good survivor, or go all in and turn it into a show car, thus into the 6 figures unless you do all the work yourself. Hagerty puts a #1 – concourse – perfect, like new condition at $176k. A #2 Excellent condition is at $135. Those are high standards and tough to get to with this starting point. I for one wouldn’t pay close to the ask.
I grew up near a well know local Corvette repair/restoration shop in the mid-’60’s. I visited a number of times, and even had him do some damage repair work on a Lotus I had. He did not like these early Vette’s as he said the bodies were made using the ‘chopper-gun’ technique in the mold. The surface would continually generate cracks that had to be ground out to repair. He really had trouble getting one out the door before it would return with more.
These early Corvettes are the best looking American sports car to date, bar none, in my opinion, period. With manufacturers releasing retro designs, Chevrolet should rebirth these early Corvette body styles as an electric vehicle. And use the early colors too
You are not going to restore this for $45K. I just finished a frame off on a ’54, body was in a poorer shape than this one and it was $80K just to do the body and paint. This car is in a good starting point for a restoration, most of the parts are there but to restore them is not cheap. After having done two of these he is high on his price, closer to $25-30K tops.
These old C1’s are iconic and rare as hens teeth given the low production numbers. My personal faves are the 63 to 67 years, but I sure appreciate the fantastic heritage here. I hope someone brings this gem back to its youth.
Restore, there will never be an abundance of these.