Earliest Pennant Blue? 1954 Chevrolet Corvette
1954 is going way back into the history of the Chevrolet Corvette, when America’s fiberglass sportster was just in its second year of production and before the car had established such a loyal following, with just 3,640 rolling off the assembly line for the ’54 model. It was also a period where buyers only had four colors to choose from, including black, white, Sportsman Red, or Pennant Blue, the latter being the finish that adorns the C1 for sale here on eBay. The seller is down in Louisianna although the ‘Vette resides in a Detroit suburb, but we’re assured his distance from the car won’t be a problem if you guys can strike up a deal, which he’s hoping will be in the amount of $49,000.
Of some significance is the aforementioned color, as according to the C1 registry it’s got the lowest known VIN of a Corvette to still exist that came painted Pennant Blue. There’s a possibility it was the first one ever produced, but other than that, the only detailed information we get about the car isn’t really that detailed at all.
The seller states that it’s extremely original, and judging by the looks of the finish I’m speculating some of the paint might still be the factory coat. The seller’s plan was to leave the car’s cosmetics alone, but if the next owner sees things differently they’re in for some moderate fiberglass massaging, though the outside does seem pretty complete.
However, there does appear to be a really good head start on the restoration, as the engine has been removed, rebuilt, and is already back in the car. Ditto on the transmission, and he assures us the work was done right on both but doesn’t state specifically that these are indeed the Corvette’s original components. He does say that the project is now at a standstill due to him no longer having a reliable mechanic to perform the future needed work plus having too many other life events going on to continue forward.
We get to view one good shot of the interior, which seems a bit ragged on the door panel and seats but the dash doesn’t appear all that bad and it seems all of the instruments are still present, so hopefully that forward part will be salvageable. There aren’t any underneath photos provided, though we do get to peek inside a wheel well, which seems OK behind there so far as I can tell.
There’s also a chance to make an offer if you’re interested in what you’re seeing here but think the asking price is a bit steep. With the drivetrain ready to go and as long as there aren’t any surprises underneath, this one comes across to me like a viable project to pick up on, what do you think?
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Comments
Mike, is the color not “PENNANT Blue”? Maybe you or someone who knows more than I can confirm.
That’s a hefty chunk o’ change for a car that looks to be some way short of being road-ready. Still, the paint color is a distinction that should excite Corvette fans.
The color is actually called pennant blue.
Perspective is an interesting concept. Here, the author notes that “just 3,640” 1954 Corvettes were built, which is low volume by most standards. However, others note that 3,640 1954 Corvettes represented major overproduction, resulting in unsold Corvettes languishing on dealer lots well into 1955. This is the primary reason only 700 true 1955 Corvettes were built.
Corvette guys are unusually focused on numbers, so I imagine there’s someone out there willing to pay a premium for the first of 300 blue examples. Personally, I’d rather have any of the four black examples built.
Casting date code shown on the motor. J263 translates to Oct 26, 1953
So the seller lives in Las Vegas, “Louisianna”, and the car is in the Detroit suburbs. What? Those photos weren’t taken in Michigan.
Rock-hard pass without proof it’s real and the seller owns it outright.
Smells like a scam to me too.
I’m with Jerry B, I would want proof that seller really owns it. If he really wants to sell it take down to Dream Cruise this weekend. Trailer it down there someone will buy it. Not for $49,000 though
I’m paranoid about title issues when shopping long distance. Before I buy a car now, I have to see the VIN plate, title documents, current license registration, and clear CURRENT photos showing everything included.
Cars located in shops or inside “friend’s” storage buildings might have legal or even handshake liens on them. (And just as importantly, they may be missing parts that were present when earlier photos were taken.) In some states the new owner must even pay outstanding traffic fines before the state will transfer the title.
Also… many cars from Michigan are rusty. The eBay description doesn’t mention rust one way or the other. Does the car have its original chassis? Is it rust-damaged or not?
Buying an old car didn’t used to be this scary. Back in the seventies I bought several cars out-of-state and over the phone without seeing ANY photos. Times and people have changed, however, and not for the better.
Buyer beware!!! I tried to buy a ’31 ford from a “woman” who said husband died and want to sell. Pic’s were good with NY plates on it, but she was in Texas, and car was at a Shippers location. No, I couldn’t come see it as was “ready to ship” and in inside warehouse. And of course had to wire transfer money to ANOTHER location in Chicago. Suprisingly, Shippers website and phone worked, sellers phone worked, as was the cash recipient. Long story short, cost me $7K and all of it was a scam. #’s disconected, website down, bank had no record of individual. Never buy anything on Trovid Cars. This sounds like another variation of the scam.
Indeed I responded to a Trovit ad for a Pennant Blue ’55. Guy wrote he was deployed overseas but his shipper could take care of everything. Shipper (“Shippingy” in Plentywood, MT) sent me a contract (no VIN mentioned, just “Corvette”) with instructions to transfer money to a bank in Bilbao. Shipper’s website looks pretty good but nothing on them in the web…and Streetview reveals a run down hangar at address. No more contact since I said I wanted to come and see the car!
Never buy any car without seeing it. If it’s an automobile you think you might like to invest in, the price of going to see it should be part of the investment. If “it can’t be seen,” run away. There are enough hidden issues in cars you look over even in the best auctions.
Another think: the car-buying rule of “never fall in love with any car” applies in spades to vintage vehicles. Yes, there will be another one, which you will be able to examine and vet like it should be.
“Caveat Emptor “, doesn’t mean the cave is empty, it means “ Buyer, Beware”!
saw one 2 yrs newer yesterday drivin my way. Joined a 50’s shinny p/u. Must have been goin to a show.
I liked it better altho same color. It’s the early rear I object to. Like the dash & more (this 1 was same color, looked oe as there was some fade-thru). ’56/60 is my range for this model (acourse the ’67 split w/hard top) but no others, really.
??????
It would have been nice if these early corvettes had had roll-up windows.
I agree a good picture of the VIN is critical before I’d hop in a plane to go to Detroit, which I would do before buying this. I restored an early red 54. The VIN supplied is incomplete, but I assume it’s the 844th car built based on what was provided. The air cleaner assembly is likely wrong for that car, as the cars up to about #2900 should have had 3 individual bullet type. All these early cars were a little different. You must remember there’s is a ton of chrome and SS to be redone or replaced. With the 54 I restored, I had to source tubes for the radio from Finland, which originated from Russia because their military still used them. This is a high entry price for this car even assuming the work done has been good and it runs and drives.
“This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.”
I think several commenters here were onto something – probably was a scam.