53-54 support

[Roy B.]

Re: 53-54 support

i think its because the price that c1's in general have been bringing in the last few years. guys like us that restore them are selling them to collectors for big money. collectors dont hang out here. i thought i would keep my 57 fi car forever. a collector bought it from me for over $160,000. i had to let it go. as these cars go to collections the number being restored drops.i still have a 70 lt1 vert, a 72 lt1 vert and an 86 pace car. i look for info on these cars now. i want to build another 57 but have not found the right car yet.

Mike that's good money I understand selling it , the bad side is that it's gone never to see the road again.

[Russ U.]

Re: 53-54 support

[quote=Roy Braatz (182);356817]1.Well let see ,all 53 are gone for ever (trailer queens) stored away never to be seen again on the road and now just collecting dust and interest (money)

Not true, Roy.

I am putting 53 #276 back on the road. I currently have the engine (a 261 block) out of the car for freshening. And I am magnafluxing all of the suspension parts, redoing the brakes, rebuilding the differential, etc. I intend to drive and maybe even autocross 53 #276. The long time owner (Dave Elie) set up the car for performance, so I am not changing anything. Just freshening up the car basically.

I also heard a rumor that another 53 will reappear on the vintage race circuit in California in a year or so. If so, I might make 53 #276 race worthy as well (wouldn't take much). I think it would be really fun to have two 53's racing head to head.

And I know there is a 53 on Maui that goes out for a drive every now and then. The owner took me for a ride last year.

But for the most part, I think you are right. Not many 53s on the road any more.

Russ

[Roy B.]

Re: 53-54 support

[quote=Russ Uzes (41704);357115]

1.Well let see ,all 53 are gone for ever (trailer queens) stored away never to be seen again on the road and now just collecting dust and interest (money)

Not true, Roy.

I am putting 53 #276 back on the road. I currently have the engine (a 261 block) out of the car for freshening. And I am magnafluxing all of the suspension parts, redoing the brakes, rebuilding the differential, etc. I intend to drive and maybe even autocross 53 #276. The long time owner (Dave Elie) set up the car for performance, so I am not changing anything. Just freshening up the car basically.

I also heard a rumor that another 53 will reappear on the vintage race circuit in California in a year or so. If so, I might make 53 #276 race worthy as well (wouldn't take much). I think it would be really fun to have two 53's racing head to head.

And I know there is a 53 on Maui that goes out for a drive every now and then. The owner took me for a ride last year.

But for the most part, I think you are right. Not many 53s on the road any more.

Russ

Russ! well your one of those few guys like myself that's a little off the mark and enjoy driving our Corvettes.

[Russ U.]

Re: 53-54 support

I agree with all of the analysis above regarding the lack of 53 to 55 related posts.

1953 to 1955 cars were the very heart of the Corvette restoration hobby from the late 60s until the late 70s. Ed Thiebaud's Vintage Corvette Club, John Hutchins Classic Corvette Club, and even the early days of the NCRS were all dedicated to restoring 53 to 55 Corvettes. The founders of the restoration hobby put much research and investigation into 53 to 55's during this time period. Noland Adams' books have a great deal of information regarding these cars, for example.

There are a fair number of guys who know 53 to 55s in great detail (Noland Adams, John Hutchins, Dave Ferguson, etc). These guys joined the 30 or 40 years ago. And while they all use a computer, none of them really participate in the Corvette related chat groups in a big way.

I think the restoration hobby has moved past the 53 to 55s for the most part. 53 to 55s don't offer much excitement compared to C2's for example. 53 to 55s were basically very simple 6 cyl cars with few color choices and no real options offered. There is no plan to update the 53 to 55 Judging Manual for example, even thought it could probably use a freshening up and more pics. The need doesn't justify the effort, I suspect.

I think the lack of posts regarding 53 to 55s is going to continue. I think we will see even fewer posts in the future. Compared to other C1s and the C2s, not many 53 to 55s will be restored or re-restored in the future. And the guys who grew up with these cars and really know the cars won't be participating in the chat groups. Except Roy of course, who is good for another 20 plus years or so.

Russ

[Marc K.]

Re: 53-54 support

I've been away from the hobby for a while, but my first meeting memories are from the early 80s when my dad and I used to go to the Lake Erie Chapter meets with my dad's 1954 Polo white and hang out with the likes of Sam Foltz and M.L. Young. One thing I remember about M.L. is that he was not afraid to drive 'em! To this day I remember his sometimes subtle outward passion and enthusiasm, but unbelievable collection of painstakingly restored Corvettes.

[Roy B.]

Re: 53-54 support

Funny I started VCSC =Vintage Corvettes of Southern Ca. In 1969 and we only took in 53-55 Corvettes at the time. It was quite common to see one driving around town then . Now today at a NCRS meets I feel out of touch because there may be one other 54 there. Unless your driving a later C1 or better yet a C2 people will come up and talk with you , Having a 53-55 people (corvette people) cant relate to that early Corvette.

[Joe R.]

Re: 53-54 support

Hey everybody, thanks for all the great responses. I'm off to Pomona tomorrow to get my new top installed, so I can even drive the 54 in the rain, if it happens. Roy, would love to see your 55 one day. Maybe next year in San Jose?

Joe

[Greg G.]

Re: 53-54 support

I am getting ready to do a frame off of a '54 for a friend. I am mainly a mid year and shark guy but going to have fun doing this car. So no doubt will be here looking for help and advise.

Greg

[Tyler T.]

Re: 53-54 support

I agree that getting support is difficult. I posted some questions reguarding a 55 powerglide and got slim responses none of which answered the questions. Finally I emailed a person who is doing 53-54 and after some discussions and his contacts I got my answers. Otherwise I would have bought some wrong parts to do my car. What I miss most of all is someplace one can list what is needed to complete a restoration and sell what you have left over. Kent Keech had done a 54 and has many extra parts that his wife needs to dispose of and I know he would want these items to go to somewone doing a car rather than into the ebay system. Lets keep working on the powers that be for a members only needed/have section on the forum, its long overdue and it would be a way to reduce mailing costs for the Driveline.

Tyler

[Alan S.]

Re: 53-54 support

While I'm most interested in 70-72 cars I enjoy looking at the 53s and 54s. I know I'll miss seeing Chuck Gongloff's 54 since it's been replaced with a hot rod with a back seat. (Chuck you looked so suave in it.) But I still get to see, on occasion, Ray Owings 55 with 6 cyl. engine which I guess makes it part of this discussion. Every time I see a 53 or 54 I look to see if it has any of Roy's aftermarket accessories in view.
Regards,
Alan

[Roy B.]

Re: 53-54 support

Hey everybody, thanks for all the great responses. I'm off to Pomona tomorrow to get my new top installed, so I can even drive the 54 in the rain, if it happens. Roy, would love to see your 55 one day. Maybe next year in San Jose?

Joe

Joe I'll buy the beer , yes I'll be there with the 55 I may again enter it so to show it , don't matter to me weather it gets anything (awards) like in 05, tho it did get TF which surprised my wife and me having options and after market items The judges were to kind

[Joe R.]

Re: 53-54 support

Be careful now, Roy. I'm 100% Irish and just the mention of beer makes me drool.

I'll be there with the 54.

[Fenwick B.]

Re: 53-54 support

There are 3 55's on Ebay now. That's the most Ive ever seen on there. The one for $220,00 was on about a month ago. He turned down an offer of $175,000 for it. He must of had a ringer bidding it up for him. I don't think any of them will sell.

[Mark A.]

Re: 53-54 support

Roy

As Russ knows, I drive my 55 all the time. Russ, I just got home from Montana (fly fishing). I thought of you while I was there...LOL

Mark