1953 Corvette Horn Button

[Jack M.]

In an earlier post, there was some discussion regarding the 'Revs Digital Library' at Stanford University (a large project to digitize automotive material). As more Corvette pictures have been added (100+ since the original post), I tend to return to the website to see the progress. NOTE: I obtain better overall results when simply typing 'corvette' into the SEARCH field and view 100 images on each page. SAMPLE

One photo I've recently been interested in comes from the '1953 Paris Motor Show' (held on October 1, 1953). When viewing those images I've noticed two peculiarities... for example:

• The front license plate is wide and narrow (more European in design) and states 'GM France'. This could easily be a simple change.
• The interior horn button is nothing like I've seen before (though I'm mostly into C2's). To me, there appears to be a 3-part semicircle of colors on the bottom half of the button (in place of the usual word, Corvette). At first, I thought it might be 'Red, White & Blue' for the American Flag... then had a brain fart and considered it to be 'Blue, White & Red' for the French Flag (I mention this because the far left color appears to be darkest).

In the attached photo (CLICK HERE), I've tried to enlarge and cleanup the image a tad. I do believe there is a faint hint of the 'Chevrolet' lettering on the top half, but you can clearly see a different look on the bottom half. Do any NCRS members have background history/knowledge of this '53 horn button... was it an early/preproduction design (perhaps just for the Motorama vehicles) or something unique for this particular show?

Just curious,
Jack
(Unfortunately, the Revs website seems sloooow today... it's usually pretty fast.)

[Jack M.]

Re: 1953 Corvette Horn Button

UPDATE- Here is a closer look of the 1953 horn button in question:
1953_Horn_Button-2.jpg

[Jack M.]

Re: 1953 Corvette Horn Button

Anyone... opinions... guesses???