The Chevy Corvette debuted in 1953 and later gained the title “America’s Sports Car”. Early Corvettes were largely hand-assembled (just 300 copies in 1953), but some automation enabled Chevy to crank 3,640 units of the sports car the following year. This ’54 Corvette has a numbers-matching engine, but the transmission and former exterior color may have been changed. It’s an interesting project with a removable hardtop that you don’t see often on one of these cars.
No one would have blamed GM if they had given up on Corvette after 1955 as just 4,640 versions were exposed in its first three years. However, a V8 engine would finally emerge in 1956, and – with a styling refresh – sales of the Corvette would finally march north. The seller says this edition is an early 1954 model having the “same details” as a 1953. If that were the case, it would have a Powerglide automatic transmission, the only one offered, but a manual is in place now.
This Corvette isn’t a runner but seems to be set up for triple carburetors and it appears to have more than one radiator. So, I’m not sure what is going on there. Under the grey primer is said to reside gold paint, but I don’t think that was a 1954 color choice so it may have changed later on. This 70,000-mile Corvette awaits a full restoration.
Perhaps the most interesting feature is this — the ‘Vette has a removable hardtop, which I can’t find anywhere on an options list. Perhaps it was a custom-order item for the Chevy, using the same attachable side windows as the canvas top. If you’re looking for something a bit different to restore, this Corvette can be found in Lakeport, California, and is available here on eBay. The current bid is $25,101, but that’s below the seller’s reserve.
It seems to be set up with triple carbs because GM made them that way. Your second radiator is an expansion tank. Not many built, not many around now.
By 1954, several companies were selling hardtops for Corvettes and various British sports cars. This appears to be one of them.
’54s could be ordered in one of four exterior colors. The majority were that old standby, Polo White.
According to records I’ve seen, the P-glide automatic was “optional,” but was fitted to 100% of 1954 production. So for a purist, the manual would have to go. Except for color, the engine looks right to me.
1955 was the first year the Corvette was available with the 265, not 1956.
I sent a friend who have a house in the area and does a lot of car related activities around the lake a link to the eBay ad. He says he’s seen it a handful of times at shows. He said it’s “real solid” and draws a big crowd.
Steve R
Chevrolet never offered a hardtop for the 53-55 Corvette, but two aftermarket companies did, Plasticon and Scott (marketed as Scottop). Based on the rear window, this appears to be the more common Plasticon top (Scottop’s had a much smaller window).
As was pointed out, all 6 cylinder 53-55 Corvettes came with 3 Carter carbs. 54’s were “available” with 8 “options”, and all 3640 54’s built came with all 8 “options” (heater, AM radio, turn signals, white walls, windshield washer, courtesy lights, E-brake alarm and the Powerglide).
In spite of previously being corrected, this is at least the forth time this writer has claimed 56 was the first Corvette with a V8. If Barnfind’s writers aren’t familiar with what they’re writing about, I wish they would do some research before making erroneous statements. I love Barnfinds, but there’s too much false information on the web already for a popular website to repeatedly be adding more.
Cut him some slack. It’s not a life altering issue. There are enough knowledgeable folks on this site who can make corrections as necessary.
I’m actually quite impressed with the work of the Barn Finds staff of writers. Obviously they don’t “just know” a bunch of details about every vehicle they write up, and thus have to do research. And they might get something wrong, or the material they referenced wasn’t completely right (imagine that, something on the internet isn’t correct). Overall I enjoy their work.
i agree with you to much miss info of cars from the 50s and 60s read a popular site the other day about the 1957 chevy and every picture even of the interior was of a 1956 chevy its getting real bad people just write what they want and have no idea of what they are talking about
Nice! First time though, I’ve seen a fiberglass body look rusty!
Had a chance at a black ‘54, and a red ‘55. But folks laughed when I asked them to front me the money.
Has this one been on here before ?
I seem to remember that Bell Helicopter made a handful of completely clear hardtops for the 53-55 car. Does anyone else remember this?
Saw this at Bonneville a few years back. Because it’s white, I’m guessing a 53 or 54. Because of the hood scoop, I’m guessing a V8. I love it. I would leave it warts and all and drive it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW9JZpcR-XU
saw this Corvette at Bonneville a few years ago. I loved it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW9JZpcR-XU
I found a picture on the internet That shows Chevy corvette concept cars for 1954. They showed 4 different cars, The corvette nomad ,, The corvette that went into production, A fastback corvette , And the hardtop corvette. The hard top back glass Went all the way Across the back Of the car. I think if you look on the internet for1954 Corvette concept cars You might see that picture….
I found a picture of 1954 Corvette Concept cars. There were 4 of them, The Corvette Nomad, A fastback Corvette, The Corvette that went into production, and a hard top Corvette. The top that is on this car must be an aftermarket It doesn’t look anything like The concept car hardtop. On the concept car the glass goes all the way across the rear of the car….. I’m sure if you look up1954 Corvette concept cars you can find that photo.
No gold in 54, but 55 had Harvest Gold
1954 C1 Corvette Colors
Polo White (3,230 produced)
Pennant Blue (300 produced)
Sportsman Red (100 produced)
Black (4 produced)
1955 C1 Corvette Colors
Polo White 567 (325 produced)
Pennant Blue Metallic 570 (45 produced)
Corvette Copper Metallic 573 (15 produced)
Gypsy Red 596 (180 produced)
Harvest Gold 632 (120 produced