53-55 Corvette fit and finish

[Walter F.]

I am currently reading the book Corvette from the inside out. In the begining of the book the author talks about and shows photos of how bad the panels and doors fit on 53-55 cars. Suppose the dealers could not even fix them. Yet any of these cars I see today the fit looks perfect. Were these cars rebuilt with all new aftermarket panels? Does that lessen the value when you remove the whole top of a car and replace it with aftermarket body parts and hardware?

[Chris S.]

Re: 53-55 Corvette fit and finish

Yes - the fit like doo doo
The cars were very crude
It depends on the guy and what the owner wants
Me.....I wanted good gaps - but I left all the wave in the panels in doors
When there is collision damage or bad repairs - you have two choices - try and find NOS - haha good luck - or used panels - which are just as bad
or new
If you install new panels - work the front and back and take the time to section in the panels correctly - it can be very very very hard to tell.....

[Steven B.]

Re: 53-55 Corvette fit and finish

Walter, my friend of over 35 years has had his '54 over 40 years and had a body shop. When Jim restored his '54 the original fit was pretty bad. He spent over a year working just on panel fit. It still has 100% original panels but they fit much better. Steve

[Gary H.]

Re: 53-55 Corvette fit and finish

1953Fink800-1[1].jpg1953Fink800-2[1].jpgI disagree with the belief that the fit and finish on 53-55's was as bad as some would have you believe. Example is this newly delivered 53. In who's universe is the fit on this car that terrible????

[Chris S.]

Re: 53-55 Corvette fit and finish

Gary - I am sorry to disagree - but in the photo - I can see the LR lower trunk lid hangs over the body and the RR door at the bottom is sunk in
Sorry - they just didnt fit well - the cars are very crude
Just my opinion.......
It takes me alot of body work to make all the panels fit nicely

[Martin M.]

Re: 53-55 Corvette fit and finish

Gary, Is that you on the scooter??