1957 Chevrolet Corvette

The NCRS folks feel 183 1953 Corvettes could have been sold through the end of calendar year 1953.  Production began 6/30/53 and ended 12/16/53, a little less than six months --short for an automotive model year.  115 of the remaining 117 could have been sold in calendar year 1954.

#001 and #002 have never appeared in public and are thought to have been kept by GM, used as test mules, and later destroyed.

Martsmodels wrote:

...the remaining cars may have been sold during the following year...

The last 53 was completed on December 16, 1953.  It's entirely possible some of the cars did not go to new owners before the new year, but that's a little bit different than saying they didn't sell.  Chevrolet dealers were known to keep a new 53 on the showroom floor for an extended period for folks to look at before actually selling it.

June 30, 1953 Flint, Michigan.  1953 Corvettes #001, #002, and #003 roll off the assembly line.  #003 still exists and is privately owned.

I took a look at the MCC site.  Not bad, but general informati

on.

EasyMike - here's where the information came from

http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclecars/chevrolet-corvette/chevrolet-corvette-history-1.shtml

Of course it doesn't necessarily mean that it's right and, as lewbud said, the remaining cars may have been sold during the following year.

What's MCC and do they give a reference for their information?  Quite a lot has been written about the Corvette, oldest to newest.  Not all of what you might read is correct.

I have two copies of The Corvette Black Book on my desk.

I posted to the National Corvette Restorer's Society forum regarding total 1953 sales.  I've seen the 183 figure twice and assume one source was quoting the other.

Lewbud - I don't think the colour is a factory option either.  Never mind, I like it.

Thanks for pointing my slip out - you are right.  Website has now been amended to mention that the V8 came in half way through 1955 and not 56 as I had it earlier.

Martin,

Nice job!  Not quite sure it's a factory color combo, but it's nice nonetheless.

EasyMike,

While what you say is true, I believe that what Martin has on his site is correct as well.  The 53 was a slow seller and they may have sold the rest in 54.  Unfortunately, I'm at work and my Corvette Little Black Book is at home.  Martin, one thing I know for sure is that 55 was the first year for a V8 in the Vette, not 56.  Hp rating sounds about right though.  Will check when I get home.

Thanks for the comments Guys.  The colour was inspired by a real car that I saw at a Corvette meet when holidaying in the US.   I thought it set the car off well and decided there and then to do one like it.

engine pic for Brizio.

EasyMike - If my information is wrong I plead not guilty.   Here's what it says on the MCC site. Quote   The first Corvette was a sales disaster as its high price (more than a Cadillac or Jaguar) and low performance made it far from desireable. A mere 183 were sold in 1953 out of 300 built. Unquote

Nice work, but the info on your website is wrong.  All 300 1953 Corvettes were sold.  A little more than 200 are known to still exist.

subfixer wrote:

I think that the colors are what make this one stand out. Red and blue cars are a dime a dozen.

  Have you ever experimented with "washes" on wheelcovers to accent shadows and bring out the detail ?