Jet Age Sports Car: 1954 Chevrolet Corvette
With a long history of powerful engines, sports car handling, and a reasonable price tag, the Chevrolet Corvette is near the top of the list as far as bang for the buck for any automotive enthusiast. However, Corvettes have also gained a reputation as a mid-life crisis vehicle, able to reinvigorate its owner with the power of youth with a turn of the key. While this stereotype may play out as true for later model Vettes, early examples have a timeless look and classic style that can be appreciated by everyone. This 1954 Corvette, found here on craigslist, is located in Mohave County, AZ. Thanks to Rex M. for the tip!
Making its debut in 1953, America’s sports car was powered by the “Blue Flame” inline six-cylinder engine, with 150hp and backed by a two-speed Powerglide transmission. While not a new design, the engine had been modified for sports car use with solid lifters and a high-lift camshaft. The triple side-draft Carter carburetors provide plenty of air/fuel intake while spent gases are routed out through a dual exhaust manifold leading to twin stainless-steel outlets at the rear of the car. Improvements for 1954 resulted in a slight power bump up to 155hp. The engine bay of our feature vehicle appears to be clean and tidy while not overly restored or modified. The biggest challenge for the new owner may be keeping the triple carbs tuned and synced, a common issue when the car was new.
The cockpit features an array of gauges, with a 5000-RPM tachometer occupying the middle of the dashboard between driver and passenger. Bucket seats add to the sporty feel and the floor-mounted shifter falls easily to hand. For the first two years of production, Chevrolet received a lot of criticism from enthusiasts who were hoping for a V8 and a manual transmission. However, these buyers would have a choice to make in 1955 when the Corvette finally received a V8 and Ford unveiled a worthy competitor in the form of the Thunderbird.
While 1954 saw the sale of over ten times as many Corvettes as 1953, the numbers tell the real story: 3640 units compared to 300. With those kinds of sales figures, owners of early first-generation Vettes are quickly becoming an exclusive club. As shown by our asking vehicle with an asking price of $75,000, admission is not cheap. That price will get you a car that, although not completely original, has been restored at some point in its life and looks great even though it’s quickly approaching 70 years old. With snappy power, a cozy cockpit, and borderline sensual styling with curves in all the right places, this car will be sure to bring a smile to the new owner’s face, young or old.
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Comments
I think the lack of enthusiasm is entirely and engine thing. While I prefer the body styling starting 56 there is nothing wrong with these. Given the low production numbers these should be worth a lot more but…the engine
I owned one. Front heavy, did not want to go around corners, acceleration was OK for 1954, never a tuning issue with 3 carbs but they did leak gas, exhaust through back bumper was a fake, it would roll up over trunk and into passenger compartment, so GM make it aim to road just inside the rear body, either the color rendition of the photo is off, or it has been restored to the wrong interior red – they were toward the orange not toward the purple. Plexiglas side curtains were a pain, the ’56’s and thereafter were much better cars but even in 1968 people would ask “what is it?” You would get a lot of that now! On the other hand, it was just a ’53/’54 Chevy convertible and it was incredibly reliable, unlike my Jag of the same era, and parts were easy to find, although they were rarely needed, again, it was just a ’53/’54 Chevy mechanically. And the early fiberglass crazed and cracked like crazy!
Fiberglass made by Molded Fiberglass of Ashtabula, Ohio. The company I worked for (Mixing Equipment Co. of Rochester, New York) supplied the mixing machinery for the ‘glass.
The exhaust from the factory exits through the back panel and is real. If yours was different, someone changed it. The weight distribution is 53% front 47% rear.
Agree. In fact the 1954 pipes were extended due to the 1953 exhaust discoloring the rear fiberglass.
I think that peoples disappointment with the 6 cylinder occurred after 1954 not during 1954. The 6 cylinder chevy was rated at 25hp more than the ford v8. I can’t imagine people in 1954 wishing that they had a less powerful v8. At the time chevy’s 6 cylinders were keeping pace with the cars in it’s class. I can see the car falling out of favor when more powerful cars were introduced in 55.
BF loves the 1954 Vette. 15 this year with only a month and a half left to go.
Maybe there are so many for sale is that those of us who wanted them as kids, and eventually got them, are now around 80, years, not mph, or dead, and our 55 year old kids never wanted them.
True Charlie, had a ’70 350/350 M21 conv & when going to sell, despite a ‘fun’ thrill ride I gave my 9 & 11 yr old sons, neither cared when after 19 yrs, sold it in ’99 prior to moving. Now they’re 28 & 30, and I still haven’t heard ‘wish you never sold the Vette’! Now, despite their each having a 1st ride on my new then, ’89 Harley bagger back in ’93 & ’91, just before they each turned 4, you’d think they’d fight over who was going to ‘get it’ as were all smiles! Nope! Zero interest in that or other 2 HD’s later acquired, all I had as of last April, so I sold two off & kept the ’15 RG CVO till I can’t ride anymore. Wife said when you pass, they’re going to fight who gets it. I laughed, no worries at all. Most kids today don’t share our passion of the past machinery.
the pic is pretty dark but it looks like an aftrmrkt carb link (Offie), the OE is 2 (is it 3? no, don’t think so) side draft YHs. No, that’s a Marine I’m thinkin of, the vette had 3…but not on adapter like offenhauser.
Love that Blue Flame set up this way. Wouldn’t mind puttin it in any vette ’56/60. Ask the local machinist how to mill up a better design, cam it, etc… Champagne wishes, beer budget…
Oe is three carter yh. fuel filter has been added. other than that it looks correct for an early 54. Later 54 had dual pot air cleaner. early 54 had three flame arrestors (bullet). The car has flipper latches for the convertible top and short exhaust tips. this is consistent with an early model. my guess is the serial number is less than 3000
Will some of you please get over the horsepower craving? The car was and is a star of its era, 1954. It’s meant for a sunny day cruise, not track day. Appreciate it for what it is, don’t criticize it for what it is not.
Good post. It is what it is and this car and the 1953 were the lead up to the insane Z06 introduced recently.