1953 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

Harley Earl's two-seat Chevrolet roadster went from a 1951 design study to a Motorama turntable at New York's Waldorf-Astoria in January 1953, and the public response sent it into production within six months. The first Corvette left Chevrolet's Flint, Michigan, assembly plant on June 30, 1953, and the model became the first mass-produced car from a major manufacturer to use a fiberglass body. Only 300 were built that year, largely by hand, and every one was finished in Polo White over Sportsman Red with a black canvas top. Under the hood, a 235ci Blue Flame inline-six with three Carter side-draft carburetors made 150 horsepower when new and sent it through a two-speed Powerglide automatic.

This example is chassis number E53F001076, the 76th serial number of the 300 Corvettes built for 1953. According to the seller, Lloyd Miller and Steve Newsom performed a restoration on the car approximately 25 years ago. It was judged by the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) in 2003 with a total score of 97.2, earning it a Top Flight Award that year.

It has been refinished in Polo White over Sportsman Red vinyl with has a black canvas top, and it rides on red-painted 15" steel wheels with chrome wheel covers featuring simulated knock-off spinners, mounted with Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewall tires. Interior equipment includes a white-rimmed steering wheel with a chrome horn ring, a 140-mph speedometer, a center-mounted 5,000-rpm tachometer, a clock, and a dashboard-mounted rearview mirror.

This 1953 Corvette is now offered with side curtains, the 2003 NCRS judging sheet and Top Flight Award, and New York registration in the seller's name.

Highlights

• Chassis number 76 of 300 Corvettes built for the 1953 model year

• 2003 NCRS Top Flight Award winner

• 235ci Blue Flame inline-six and two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission

• Refinished in white over red vinyl with a black canvas convertible top

• 15" steel wheels with Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewall tires

Factory Equipment

• Three Carter YH side-draft carburetors

• Independent front suspension and live rear axle

• Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes with 11" drums

• 15" steel wheels with wheel covers with simulated knock-off spinners

• Curved one-piece windshield

• Chrome grille and mesh headlight guards

• Three-piece rear bumper

• White-rimmed steering wheel with a chrome horn ring

• Full instrumentation and clock

• Dashboard-mounted rearview mirror

• Delco Wonderbar signal-seeking AM radio

• Heater

Servicing & Documentation

According to the seller, Lloyd Miller and Steve Newsom performed a restoration on this Corvette. The car was awarded an NCRS Top Flight award and a total score of 97.2 during a 2003 NCRS judging, which is available in the gallery.

Known Imperfections

• Detailed images showing the vehicle's condition can be found in the photo gallery

• The signal-seeking AM radio is inoperative

• Worn carpet on the driver's-side floor

• Discoloration on the whitewall tires (see photo gallery)

Ownership History

The seller acquired this Corvette in 2020.

Included Items

• Side curtains

• 2003 NCRS judging sheet

• 2003 NCRS Top Flight award

Additional Information

This vehicle is registered in a state that does not issue titles for vehicles of its age. It is offered with New York registration.