Fantasy Junction

Description

1953 Corvette

Chassis No. – E53F001061
Exterior Color – Polo White
Interior Color – Red
Engine – 235.5 cu. in. in-line Blue Flame Special 6 cylinder
Transmission – 2-Speed Powerglide Automatic
Mileage – 1,190 miles (TMU)
Current owner – Purchased in 2005

Highlights of This Car

#61 of 300 built in 1953, the inaugural year
Professionally restored to a high level
Featured on 2005 US Postage stamps
Documented numbers, dates, and component details

Numbers on This Car

Build Date – October 6, 1953
Chassis Stencil – 303190 6-17-53
Engine Block Stamping – LAY 4516874
Transmission – C with E264 date code
Cylinder Head Number – 3836066
Exhaust Manifolds – 3764781 and 3764782
Intake Manifold Casting Number – 3711348
YH Carburetors – 1102793 E-3
Starter – 1107109 3G30
Generator – 1102793 3G22

General History

The 1950s was a prosperous time for Americans, industry, and innovation. Nowhere was this more evident than in American automobile design and manufacturing. With each year, exciting models arrived, and companies expanded on themes of luxury and performance. But in 1953, when the Corvette was launched, there was nothing quite like it. Conceived and built for sports car enthusiasts, the Corvette brought new excitement to the Chevrolet division despite limited sales in these early years. Because the Corvette was a big risk for General Motors, low-cost fiberglass tooling was used to build the new body on top of a frame based on existing designs.

Total sales of 1953 Corvettes would result in just 300 examples. To simplify production, all 300 were finished in Polo White with red interior and black canvas convertible tops, and fitted with Chevrolet Blue Flame six-cylinder engines with 2-speed automatic transmissions. Though remarkably limited in production, few complete and original examples survive today.

History of This Corvette

This 1953 Corvette is #61 of just 300 examples produced in the inaugural year launching a legacy of American performance cars spanning 72 years of racing and design excellence. One of the desirable early double-digit chassis number examples built, this car is documented with three pages of component numbers, dates, and specific 1953 series details that are matched to the early double-digit chassis numbered cars. Of note, in 2006, chassis #3 sold at auction in Scottsdale, AZ for $1.1 million dollars.

Discovered by a prior owner in the mountains outside of Reno, NV, this Corvette was brought to West Linn, OR and treated to a comprehensive body off restoration in 2003. By 2004 it was sold to the next owner, a resident of Washington State. The current owner purchased this car in 2005. In 2006 the car was shown at the Hillsborough Concours where it received an award and subsequently enjoyed nominal use as part of a large collection of rare sports cars. In preparation for consignment the shift linkage was adjusted, choke linkage serviced, all three carburetors serviced, and a new set of mufflers were installed.

Current Condition

Today with 1,190 miles accumulated since the restoration was completed, this Corvette still displays the superb cosmetic and mechanical details reflective of the award-winning professional restoration performed 20 years ago. The restoration quality has not diminished and importantly was not over-restored so as to lose the handcrafted nature of these early fiberglass experiments in sports car design. The paint is glossy and consistent with a creamy white luster befitting the gelcoat fiberglass and Polo White finish. The body also exhibits fit and finish consistent with GM factory molded fiberglass of the period. The doors, hood, and trunk open and close confidently, and the hinged convertible top cover conceals the factory correct black canvas top when lowered into position.

The minimal exterior trim, rear body exit exhaust, and finned tail lights deliver vintage Motorama touches to the curvaceous exterior, all of which are consistent and beautifully finished. The wheels are excellent overall with correct original type wheel covers mounted on matching red finished steel rims. A set of original profile Firestone 6.70 15 4-Ply Gum-Dipped whitewall tires are mounted. The glass, lights, and lenses are all in excellent condition including one of the first compound curved windshields fitted to a General Motors production car. Even with the top up, the car is sporty and distinctive especially with the beautifully finished removable chrome trimmed side windows mounted to the doors.

The interior has been faithfully restored to original specifications using high quality correct red vinyl with ivory stitching, factory finishes, and beautiful detailing completing the impressive cockpit. The materials and finishes remain in excellent condition showing little to no wear from the nominal use over the past 20 years since the restoration was completed under prior ownership. The seat and door stitching is correct and properly sewn into the interior door panels per original specifications. The seats are correctly contoured, seat foam is very resilient, and the carpeting is in excellent condition throughout the interior. The gauges are correctly finished and mounted into the white and red dashboard accented by the matching red and white steering column, dashboard, and door caps. The black canvas convertible top is in excellent condition both inside and out, wrapped tightly over a restored set of top bows, which can be easily raised and latched to the windshield surround or stowed flat under the hinged hard-shell cover. The trunk is correctly finished with a matching red trunk liner, proper vinyl material and spare tire cover with jack handle mounted on the rear bulkhead, and red finished underside for the trunk lid.

Under the hood, the restoration details and attention to accuracy continues to impress at all levels. The overall presentation is very authentic and properly finished including the Blue Flame Special valve cover and graphics, correct triple Carter carburetors (2066S tags), intake manifold, and chrome air breathers. The correct chrome plated water tank, red finished steering column, 6V battery, original ignition shield, and GM branded hoses are all indicative of the early production Corvette features for this era. The engine is finished in Chevrolet blue with the area for the engine block stamping revealed on the steel engine casting deck displaying the number LAY4516874. The engine shows correct casting numbers including the intake and exhaust manifolds, Powerglide transmission, and numerous other documented numbers as shown on three pages of Corvette “Vital Statistics” recorded with this car. Underneath the car the chassis and components are in excellent condition including the fiberglass floor which remains correctly unfinished raw yellow fiberglass as molded from the factory. The suspension, driveline components, exhaust, solid rear axle and axle limiting straps are factory correct and consistent with specifications from new.

This beautifully restored and rare original first series, double-digit, early production Corvette is ready for any concours event or major Corvette show. Presented with superb finishes and documented with numbers, dates, and accurate finishes, this Corvette is ready to serve as the original ambassador to American sports car excellence.

Included with This Car


This Corvette is accompanied by a pair of side windows and storage case, a pair of matching red floor mats, a fifth edition NCRS 1953-1955 Corvette Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide, 1953-1955 Corvette Assembly Manual, a Corvette owner’s manual, a photo of the car receiving an award at the 2006 Hillsborough Concours, a tire iron, and assorted misc. small parts.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608