283 V8? 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Project
Well, I have to admit the truth, I really don’t like the first iteration (1953-1955) of America’s sports car known as the Corvette. There are probably those that think I’m some sort of blasphemer but the tailfins, six-cylinder power (ameliorated in ’55) and the Powerglide two-speed transmission just leave me with a “yeah, yeah, yeah” response. In the case of this ’54 Corvette, however, I have to make an exception – I like this car. It’s not your typical ’54 ‘Vette so let’s check it out and see what separates it from the original product. This Corvette is located in Wylie, Texas and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $36,800 – there is a make an offer option too.
No doubt about it, the color caught my attention, I can be a real sap for the right hue, well applied. Corvette’s first year, 1953, offered an exciting choice of colors, providing that Polo White was your preference. Things became a bit more technicolor in ’54 with Pennant Blue and Sportsman Red joining the color wheel. There were even a few black with red interior examples rounding out the palette. And it’s a sure bet that the electric blue finish of this ’54 will never be mistaken for Pennant Blue. What exact shade it is, is not disclosed but it makes a visual statement at a distance. The paint appears to have been well applied and the underlying fiberglass reveals no signs of distress though there are some noted chips here and there. This is a bit of a custom Corvette as some of the trim and badging have been removed as has the rear license plate alcove. What trim is still in place looks OK, just a bit tired. Rounding out the exterior are ’70s vintage Western chrome steel wheels and a scoop of some sort that has been plopped onto the hood.
Long gone is the 155 HP, 235 CI “Blue Flame” in-line, six-cylinder engine, having been replaced by a 1961 vintage 283 CI V8. The motor, with its single exhaust system and Rochester 4GC carburetor, looks original and unmodified though the aluminum rocker covers are a later addition. Unfortunately, this Powerglide transmission-equipped Corvette has not been driven since 2003 but the engine will start. There are numerous images included in the listing and many detail the underside, suspension, and running gear; fortunately, nothing looks like it needs major attention except for the brakes, they don’t work.
The interior is rough! I don’t how else to sugarcoat it. The door panels are disintegrating and the carpet appears to have been haphazardly installed with no real fitment. The seats have some sort of grody-looking covers stretched over the original frames – it’s safe to say that preservation of originality was not on the mind of one of this car’s owners, going back several years. The white-painted dashboard is an interesting choice. It is complete with an Impala steering wheel, mounted on a red steering column. That, and the faded red trunk floor, give an indication that this Chevy may have been originally finished off in Sportsman Red. More than likely the blue exterior color was chosen first and a later decision was made regarding how to outfit the interior. And white works with just about any color choice. No argument with that selection, it’s just in decrepit condition and not well executed. And as my quest for original radios continues, I can say, unfortunately, the radio from this car has taken flight. Note the gear selector lever and handle, could that have been appropriated from a Mustang?
OK, so what do we do with this one? I’d say keep it in modified form but clean it up. Freshen up the engine with some mods, ditch the Powerglide and completely remake the interior. But I’d be seriously thinking about the “make an offer” option, $36,800 seems too outsized for what this Corvette has become. How about you, what are your suggestions?
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Comments
Periwinkle?
One of the front tires looks like there may be serious front end issues. Looks like someone is going to buy a money pit to be safe and look good. What’s going on with the gas filler cap? And was there a trailer hitch on this thing at one time? Forgot the radio this poor Corvette is so far gone, I like the V-8 rest of not so much.
Interesting list to the left. Interior pretty rough. Pretty sure asking price is above the value of the car at this point but there is a lot to work with to make an enjoyable driver.
I think that most people on here have forgotten that cars were and are made to be driven and customized to the owners liking. I have never owned a car that I didn’t change in some way to my liking . this vett is pure american history
The directional wheels are more likely from the late-80’s to early-90’s.
This seller finds interesting cars, his offerings have been featured on this site countless times. He posts weekly YouTube video about their acquisitions which get hundreds of thousands of views. This car will sell and it won’t take long.
Steve R
There’s so many things wrong with this car….especially for that price….that I hardly know where to start. Wrong color, wrong wheels, wrong engine no less!!! There are some nice 54 Vettes around, but this ain’t one of ’em.
If someone is looking for a 54 Vette Restomod, I know where there’s one for sale. One of the members of our Corvette club had one for sale the other month with a 350 Automatic in Black. Had a frame replacement and ran pretty good from what I saw (have not had a chance to ride in it). Owner had mentioned money and it was less than this one and it’s complete.
If I was going to get a 54 not original, I’d look into buying that one first.
It’s already sold.
I agree, in stock form, the first ‘vette’s just do nothing for me. They look mismatched and odd.
That being said, a lot of the period racers from that era (when they ditched all the tacky chrome, and terrible interior) looked good.
Richard Petty called – someone stole his paint can…
Looks like another idiot has parted with his money. What a shame such a cool car was so bastardized. I love first gen vettes in-spite of their lackluster drive trains. They, to me are iconic and have all the character of America’s first sports car. When consider it’s overseas competition at the time it all falls into suit IMHO.
I believe Bugatti was the first with this color.
all i can vision here keep the body and trash the rest just saying. dannys vintage mustangs.
Wonder how they discovered that the brakes didn’t work…….
I like it
All the original is gone so you can do whatever you want with it. When done the Deaks will come out mouths a blazen condemning you for pulling the original running gear you never had.
This a Dennis Collins car, he must have decided it was going to cost too much to restore it and to let it go. I will say I have never seen a corvette that color.
I’ve never seen them do a full restoration on spec, only for paying customers. They’ve done mechanical work, even an occasional paint job on flips, but those were cars that were really nice to begin with. This is a project, unless there is an owner paying the bills, a restoration let alone significant work is a money losing proposition. Some people love him, some hate him, one thing is for certain, he isn’t a charity.
Steve R
SOLD for $36,800.
It will take another 20K to make this thing presentable.
Another interesting, never worth it flip, brought to you by Dennis Collins.
A fool and his money ……… If that car were original in its present condition it might be worth $36,800. In its present condition, it will now only be whatever the owner can afford to make it. Will never be worth what he’ll put in it – 327 with a serpentine system, Hurst four-speed and new interior, but I’m sure he’ll love it just the same.
That Lions Drag Strip license plate frame on the rear plate sold in the concession stands at “The Beach” for $5 bucks ‘way back in the day (1960s) – gotta be worth at least ten times that at the Pomona swap meet now (if you could find one)…
More like 30-40 times, possibly more, if it’s vintage.
Steve R
one of the best points of the early C1 IS the Blue Flame’n its gone. I’m w/Jim ’56 is the beginning of the best (for me it ends in ’60 W/the ‘duck tail’). Just don’t like the early vet w/the krazy tail lghts. Rear deck is that Italian-like, so great!
Dash (double cove) & binnacle pretty kouwell to. The heck w/mako shark’n all the other generations (well the ‘splitie’ is nice in ’63, but just that 1).
I like first generation/body style C1s, as I have helped restore one about 50 years ago. I hate the blue color AND any car with wire headlamp covers needs wire wheels. (JMHO) Also, kind of different to see a vintage carb. on a “newish” intake manifold. What a shame to see the interior in this condition. Having see many of the pre-1956 cars that have actually sat out in the weather with no “top” protection with interiors in much better condition. You have to wonder the history of this car.
Also the hole chopped in the body for the throttle linkage. Don’t drive in the rain! What a hack job!