Harley Earl got his start in the automotive industry designing custom coachwork for studio chiefs and silver screen stars, and few cars ooze golden age Hollywood style like the first Corvettes. Sleek and sculpted, they were like nothing else on the road– a distinction that the model has held through each successive generation. This 1954 example is located in Madison, Alabama, and is listed here on eBay. At the time of writing, bidding has reached $19,000, but with over three days left in the auction, only time will tell what price this early ‘Vette might bring.
Innovation is rarely straightforward or simple, and as one of the very first American sports cars, the Corvette had a troubled birth. Although visually striking and innovative in its use of fiberglass– a first for a major Detroit manufacturer– the public response was somewhat tepid. The lackluster straight six might have been to blame; though billed as the Blue Flame Special in this application, it was essentially the same 235 cubic inch Thriftmaster found in Chevy trucks. The transmission didn’t help, though. The two-speed Powerglide might have been robust, but a sports car needs a manual, especially in 1953. Yet in just a few short years, these oversights would each be addressed and the Corvette would begin to build the reputation, and the following, that it enjoys to this day.
This car might be an example of the earliest Corvette that a person can reasonably expect to own: though 1954 was the second model year, only 300 hand-built cars were produced in 1953, of which fewer than 240 are known to still exist. The car is in dire need of restoration, if restoration is even the correct word. It has issues. We begin with what’s not part of a Corvette, like the read end, the engine, the transmission, the fender flares, what parts of the exhaust haven’t rotted away, and the hood scoop. Next, we might consider what should be part of a Corvette, but isn’t there. This includes the holes cut in the frame, most of the interior, and a lot of trim. Finally, we can look at what we have: a damaged fiberglass shell, some salvageable parts of the front suspension and steering, gauges, glass, miscellaneous bits, and a VIN tag.
A restoration for a car in this condition is a daunting undertaking, yet few cars have the potential of a 1954 Corvette. True, it might not have been the car it would eventually become, but that lackluster debut belied the passion that these cars would ultimately engender. This car will never be numbers-matching. It may never be a completely faithful example of a 1954 Corvette again. But passion is a funny thing– it’s like the universal ingredient, with the potential to make up for whatever else might be lacking. This car is a Corvette, and if we’ve learned anything from the Corvette’s history, it’s that it wouldn’t be wise to bet against its survival.
Don’t know where Madison, AL is but this car car has been under water and the way it’s painted steel surfaces look it was the salted type. Buying a VIN here.
Or perhaps a VIN and body shell, in which case, this might be the basis for a G-Machine project involving a Street Rod Garage custom chassis and an LSA engine.
Of course, this is assuming that this body shell can be worked on to deal with the damage.
I don’t know if it’s been underwater, but I can tell you this, it very, very humid down there and it looks as though the car was never covered, hence all the rust!
I would touch that at all, big chunk of change to restore it.
@bobhess,
I’ve restored/repaired several cars that were underwater from flooding water. The evidence of a flood car can be found only after you disassemble things like the generator, instrument gauge innards, seat pieces, engine/trans/rear inner areas.
The evidence of flooding will be a very fine coating of light tan silt that has slowly settled out of the water, coating all the horizontal places. All the other sections would have been cleaned by the time these photos were taken.
Based on what I see here, I believe this car was simply abandoned and left to rot among the weeds and trees, in soft ground. This allowed the car to sink into the ground until the frame and suspension parts were supporting the car. I see severe corosion on all the locations that would have been in contact with damp earth for decades.
It’s also possible the car was left in a location that was also flooded, but the majority of environmental damage is from sitting unprotected for decades.
I can remember back in the 1980s when a non-running ’54 Corvette with the wrong drive train, lots of fiberglass problems, missing or incorrect trim parts, damaged frame, cracked windshield, and a host of other small problems, was considered a parts car.
40 years ago I had an identical 1954 Corvette with a more modern 6 cyl drive train as shown here, including the 3 down-draft carbs. If I didn’t still know where “my” ’54 Vette resides today, I might have cried at the possibility this was now my former car.
I suspect this car was consigned to sit in a field behind a shed, not visible from a public road, until either the owner died, or the property was sold. It was also likely that some ‘less than honest’ local people knew of it’s location, and gradually the few remaining good parts disappeared.
I must also thank the current owner for his fairly accurate description of the car.
What’s up with BF’s obsession with 1954 Vettes? 14 this year.
They are sweet and people love them!
As you can tell by most of the comments! LOL
I really like the author’s presentation. Perfect. A cheap hot rod is what I’m thinking here if bought for 15k.
not the Blue Flame? those carbs look wrong too (not carter YH).
Nota vette guy, may B that was later model I thought ’53/5 tho.
there went that ‘buying a vin’ comment again… the lite bulb just hasnt gone off in my brain yet what it benefits anyone to buy a vin… scrap the car and frame the vin in your man cave to brag to your buddies… ???? i just dont understand… sorry…
I had a shot at a black ‘54, and a red ‘55 v-8, 3 speed, back in the late 50’s, but they got away. No money!
that is not a later model engine like a 71, That is a blue flame 6 maybe not the original but the same style engine, Otherwise the 54 Vette exhaust manifold would not of fit. This style engine was used through 1962. but that does not explain why someone cut the frame for the exhaust when the original exhaust should of fit
Oh Boy!
You get a non-notorized bill of sale with it. Do a nice restoration on it then sit out in the garage every night for the next 20 years guarding it from someone showing up with title in hand and saying “Found my stolen Corvette” and thanks you for restoring it for him.
Say what you will about how this Corvette was treated – sunk in the ground, underwater, etc. The undercarriage still looks better than if it were driven for a few winters on the salty roads of the Northeast.