1954 Corvette

[D S.]

Basket case at a swap meet in Texas. It was on a trailer and somewhat complete. I believe the engine and transmission is included but it needs a whole lot of work. Not for the faint hearted. I took four photos including contact information if interested in finding out the VIN if looking for 1954 Corvette history.

Thanks,
Scott

[Roy B.]

Re: 1954 Corvette

Now how would buy a 6 banger when you could have a 55 V8

[Roy B.]

Re: 1954 Corvette

Now how would buy a 6 banger when you could have a 55 V8

[Randy G.]

Re: 1954 Corvette

53-55's are unique cars with their inset license plates under plexiglass, side curtains, no outside door handles, screens over the headlights, etc. But the 53-54's take unique to the next level with the inline 6. As you know, every Corvette built from 1955 to 2008 has a V8 in them making them less interesting, I think. But that's just my humble opinion. My wife's daily driver is a red 2007 Z06 and it has a V8.

Case in point. I took our 1957 Top Flight 283 HP Fuelie to a local cruise night last year at Giovanni's Pizza in Fullerton, CA, just to air it out. It got the attention you might expect and all the comments from the so-called experts.

A few weeks later I showed up in our Pennant Blue 1954. I had people trying to tell me Corvette's never came with a "truck engine" and many were blown away to even see such a car on the road. I even had one guy telling his pal it was a "kit car." I lost count of the number of people that thanked me for bringing out the car and actually driving it to a neighborhood cruise night. One guy in his 60's said exactly what you said about the restored cars becoming extinct in climate controlled garages wrapped up in mothballs. He felt the high auction prices have ruined the collector car hobby. He loves the fact that a 6 banger actually exists in it's original Corvette trim.

Regarding your V8 comment, though. Given the choice back in the day I would have picked the V8. But when we decided to add the very first Corvette model to our collection we felt that the more oddball it was, the more attractive to us it was...because the car itself is an oddball. And there's nothing more oddball than a 6 cylinder Corvette.

Randy

[Randy G.]

Re: 1954 Corvette

53-55's are unique cars with their inset license plates under plexiglass, side curtains, no outside door handles, screens over the headlights, etc. But the 53-54's take unique to the next level with the inline 6. As you know, every Corvette built from 1955 to 2008 has a V8 in them making them less interesting, I think. But that's just my humble opinion. My wife's daily driver is a red 2007 Z06 and it has a V8.

Case in point. I took our 1957 Top Flight 283 HP Fuelie to a local cruise night last year at Giovanni's Pizza in Fullerton, CA, just to air it out. It got the attention you might expect and all the comments from the so-called experts.

A few weeks later I showed up in our Pennant Blue 1954. I had people trying to tell me Corvette's never came with a "truck engine" and many were blown away to even see such a car on the road. I even had one guy telling his pal it was a "kit car." I lost count of the number of people that thanked me for bringing out the car and actually driving it to a neighborhood cruise night. One guy in his 60's said exactly what you said about the restored cars becoming extinct in climate controlled garages wrapped up in mothballs. He felt the high auction prices have ruined the collector car hobby. He loves the fact that a 6 banger actually exists in it's original Corvette trim.

Regarding your V8 comment, though. Given the choice back in the day I would have picked the V8. But when we decided to add the very first Corvette model to our collection we felt that the more oddball it was, the more attractive to us it was...because the car itself is an oddball. And there's nothing more oddball than a 6 cylinder Corvette.

Randy

[Roy B.]

Re: 1954 Corvette Randy

I hope you realize it was a joke, I've had many 54's and settled on the 55 because only 700 were made not over 4K for the 54, plus I can get engine parts any where.The thing I miss most about the 54's is the sound out the back , 55 so so! If I could find another 54 at $15,000 like my 55 I would buy it.
You get comments like kit car and 6 banger try a 55, I get people saying I threw out the 6 and added a V8 or 55 dint look like that it must be a 54 because they never seen a 55, or people say why did I change the color to copper they never painted a copper color.And on and on!!!
People expect their looking at a 54 and the know alls tell me I'm lying.

[Roy B.]

Re: 1954 Corvette Randy

I hope you realize it was a joke, I've had many 54's and settled on the 55 because only 700 were made not over 4K for the 54, plus I can get engine parts any where.The thing I miss most about the 54's is the sound out the back , 55 so so! If I could find another 54 at $15,000 like my 55 I would buy it.
You get comments like kit car and 6 banger try a 55, I get people saying I threw out the 6 and added a V8 or 55 dint look like that it must be a 54 because they never seen a 55, or people say why did I change the color to copper they never painted a copper color.And on and on!!!
People expect their looking at a 54 and the know alls tell me I'm lying.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1954 Corvette Randy

I have an all original 54 vette that I drive almost everyday. I have owned this car since 1981 and restored it to be a showcar but got tired of the show circuit stuff. Sooooo...several years ago I started driving it as much as possible and yes...I get the comments and gawks. Anyways I love my 54 and will continue to drive it and enjoy it. Long live the 50s....cars. Larry

[Larry M.]

Re: 1954 Corvette Randy

I have an all original 54 vette that I drive almost everyday. I have owned this car since 1981 and restored it to be a showcar but got tired of the show circuit stuff. Sooooo...several years ago I started driving it as much as possible and yes...I get the comments and gawks. Anyways I love my 54 and will continue to drive it and enjoy it. Long live the 50s....cars. Larry