55 3 speed introduction

[David P.]

I've always thought the 3 speed was introduced at about the 450-500 serial# mark on the 1955 Corvette. Am I wrong? Also, when was harvest gold most likely introduced as a color in 1955 Corvettes?

[Loren L.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

Can't really comment on the three speed, at least accurately - by that I mean sales were such that they might have thrown one in on the line - because they already knew that car was going to be retained for testing, etc.
Harvest Gold is a listed color in a DuPont bulletin dated 3/24/55.

[John S.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

approximately #575 the plunger- type washer pedal was changed to the foot pump, which being mounted higher was not in the way of the clutch pedal. i would say almost all factory three speeds were produced after this number.

[David P.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

Thanks for the color intro date..Anyone else have an accurate idea about the 3 speed introduction date/serial#?

[David P.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

Thanks..I just saw an add from Proteam boasting their 1955 as a "matching#'s" 3 speed. There serial# is1202..There is no way this is a factory 3 speed, right?

[John S.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

according to nolan #353, #422 and #551 are probably factory production prototypes and #578 is the transition for 55 three speeds

[David P.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

Thank you. My car is # 1631, and is a 3 speed. The car is being restored now. When the last coat of paint was removed, it was harvest gold next to the primer. I'm currently researching owners ( earlier than 1975) to try and get a first hand I witness.

[John S.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

on the proteam car it is car 102, not 202. this makes this car about 100 cars before the next harvest gold car and well before the other three speed cars! car will be at the st. charles auction later this week.

[David P.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

Kind of gross misrepresentation from a "trusted" name in the business, isn't it?

[Roy B.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

Problem is so little is known about 55 that sellers and some dealers just say what ever they wont and most buyers knowing nothing about 55 trust thier word.That is why a new and better JM needs to be done. and proteam get 200K and up

[Warren S.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

Thank you. My car is # 1631, and is a 3 speed. The car is being restored now. When the last coat of paint was removed, it was harvest gold next to the primer. I'm currently researching owners ( earlier than 1975) to try and get a first hand I witness.

David,
Number 683 is/was an original harvest gold with 3 speed, but the last time I saw it, it was painted black and was done with a paint brush and it still had all of the original drive train. I am curious as to where it is at today.
Warren(11327)

[Dick W.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

according to nolan #353, #422 and #551 are probably factory production prototypes and #578 is the transition for 55 three speeds

The '55 mule that Bob McDorman had was one of the 3 speed prototypes according to Zora's hand written log book. I have seen the log book, years before that car became public knowledge. VIN was either 1299 or 1399. Loren Lundberg and John Amgwert know about that car.

[David P.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

What you say is totally true. My wife and I met you at Bloomington some years ago. I had a red '55 automatic in the "for sale" area. You walked up and informed me my distributor cover and chrome pot were gone for the ignition shielding. I've had my harvest gold 3 speed car for about 9 years, and bought some of your shielding for my car about 2-3 years ago. The car is almost done. I hope to enter it for judging at the 2011 Bloomington. How does one go about securing a spot for judging? I understand it's pretty tough to get a car in for judging.

[David P.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

I found my car in Canada in 2000. I picked it out of a Hemmingings add. The car was owned by a Dentist in St Catherians (sp?). He bought it about 10 years before, intending to restore it. It had been damaged in an accident, but it just ended up sitting in his garage until I bought it.

[David P.]

Re: 55 3 speed introduction

I used to live in Columbus, Ohio and know Bob McDorman very well. I have seen the car you are speaking of. From what others have said, the Proteam "number's matching" 3 speed car is a fake, being way too early to have been produced as a harvest gold car, or a factory 3 speed.