early 54 ?

[John M.]

I have had sight of a 54 Corvette stored for a long time . I remember that it had the short exhaust pipes at the rear and two hood pulls,well I didn't see one on the left side but there was the knob at the right side. I am a C2 person but when I got home I looked in the Noland Adams Volume 1 that I had from a recent purchase of some used books from a retired Corvette restorer. It says that both the exhaust pipes and the two hood pulls are early 54. I do not know the vin as the car was against a wall so could not open the door or the hood with only one pull.Does anyone know the approximate vin and date when these changed to the longer exhausts and the one hood pull , wondering how early this car is.

Thanks John

[Tony R.]

[Chris S.]

Re: early 54 ?

good morning John
All 53's have short extensions, two hood pulls, flipper tops and bullet air cleaners
mid production 54 it changed
There is not an exact VIN number change over

The hood pulls can be ID'd if there are holes in the dash on the passenger side
Early car had a bracket on the dash for the hood pull where later cars dont

About mid production is when the bodies and parts changed

Chris

[John M.]

Re: early 54 ?

Tony and Chris, Thank you for your replies,what are the flippers .I will be able to see the car again and possibly get it away from the wall and get the hood up,they do have documents with the car so will see what happens.

John

[Ed H.]

Re: early 54 ?

John, the flippers were stationary parts of the tips that directed the exhaust down and not to the rear. This little item kept the exhaust from
staining the rear lower fenders and the trunk area, and kept the fumes from entering the cockpit area. They were longer and deflected down for just this purpose. According to the Corvette Black Book, the exhaust extensions occurred sometime later than Serial # 2523. The bullet carb air horns were replaced with dual pot air cleaners later than # 2906. Are you sure this is a 54, if a 53 you have found a diamond in the ruff. Let us know what the VIN # is when you have a chance. Photos would be great. Always ready to help when it comes to dinosaurs.

[Tony R.]

Re: early 54 ?

I have a photo of the flipper molding from a Nolan’s Adams book. It’s located just behind the doors along the chrome and flips up and out of the way when the top is raised. I will now attempt to post the photo.

[John M.]

Re: early 54 ?

I think Noland describes them as baffles to direct the exhaust down and out the bottom,or am I wrong. I was told by the cousin of the owner that it was a 64 but need to see the paperwork or the vin to know. I didn't know about the car when I went to the location. I was there because the cousin of the owner is restoring a Oct 67 1968 and I will be restoring an April 1968 435hp Int blue/dark blue convertible when the 1967 coupe is finished .It is his first corvette resto so am trying to help him. His family have been into cars always.I also have an Export 66 390 Black coupe with original drive train, an Export 66 390 Red very original convertible very highly optioned, a 65 FI Goldwood yellow convertible , no soft top ever only hard top and no radio ever, only other option power windows original engine.
Next time I go there I will take a camera , I don't have a cell phone,I'm 75.

[Chris S.]

Re: early 54 ?

Tony and Chris, Thank you for your replies,what are the flippers .I will be able to see the car again and possibly get it away from the wall and get the hood up,they do have documents with the car so will see what happens.

John

Flippers are the conv top part at the back of the door / top of the quarter - all 53 and early 54 have this design - a flipper pops up when the conv top is put up
late 54 and into 55 they did away with this design and it a non flipper car or looks like a solid moulding
I have both types of cars here and restored flippers if you need photos

[Chris S.]

Re: early 54 ?

the exhaust tips were either a straight thru design that were short or a long tip design that had a baffle at the end to direct the exhaust downwards.
54 #2523 is the first known car with long tips

[John M.]

Re: early 54 ?

Thanks Chris, I will look for the flippers when I am able to see the car again,don't know when this will be,but will post back when it happens . Thank you all for your help at this point.

John

[Tony R.]

Re: early 54 ?

Here is a photo of a flipper molding from Noland's book...

[Tony R.]

Re: early 54 ?

And here are photos of a 53 engine with the three bullet attachments to the carbs (continued into early 54) and the later 54 "twin pot" air cleaner
setup.

[Chris S.]

Re: early 54 ?

Thanks Chris, I will look for the flippers when I am able to see the car again,don't know when this will be,but will post back when it happens . Thank you all for your help at this point.

John

Welcome John !

[John M.]

Re: early 54 ?

I have now seen the UK registration document for the car. Vin is E54S003109 so 2109th car produced.

John