- Number 215 of a mere 300 built
- Older comprehensive restoration completed by LaVine Restorations
- Interior and black soft top done by Corvette expert John Kennedy
- Listed in the 1953 C1 Corvette Registry
- Historic first-year example of "America's Sports Car"
LOT 665
Selling on Saturday Evening
1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster
The 1953 Chevrolet Corvette marked the dawn of a new era in American automotive history. Developed by General Motors under the direction of Harley Earl, the Corvette was envisioned as a homegrown response to the stylish European sports cars that had captured American imaginations after World War II. Earl, a pioneer of automotive design, pitched the concept as a sleek, lightweight two-seater roadster that would combine performance with elegance. The result was unveiled to great fanfare at the GM Motorama in New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel in January 1953.
Built on a modified sedan chassis, the 1953 Corvette featured a radical-for-its-time fiberglass body - a lightweight and innovative material that allowed sweeping curves and reduced production tooling costs. Beneath the hood was the tried-and-true 235-cubic-inch "Blue Flame" inline-six engine, producing 150 horsepower, paired exclusively with a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. Though its performance was modest by later standards, its striking design and promise of American-made sportiness captured the public's attention.
Production of the 1953 Corvette was extremely limited, with only 300 units hand-built in Flint, Michigan - all finished in Polo White with red interiors. Despite its modest sales and early criticisms, the 1953 Corvette laid the groundwork for what would become America's longest running and most beloved sports car lineage.
Its significance lies not only in its rarity, but in its role as the cornerstone of Chevrolet's commitment to performance. The Corvette would go on to evolve through generations into a world-class performance machine, but it all began with this fiberglass-bodied dream. The 1953 model represents more than a car; it represents an ambition - to create an American sports car that could stand toe-to-toe with the best in the world, and well we would say, it worked.
A lovely example from the inaugural year of America's Sports Car, this 1953 Chevrolet Corvette has known history that dates back to the '70s and is the 215th example produced of the mere 300 built for 1953. Known ownership history starts with Timothy W. Shirly who sold it to Norb F. "Bud" Schaefer in 1981. Under Bud's care, he would later entrust noted firm, LaVine Restorations of Nappanee, Indiana, to perform a comprehensive restoration. After which, this Corvette was shown at a 1996 AACA show in Florida where it would garner its Junior Award. The next long-term caretaker would be Jim Howlett of Hawaii, who acquired this example in 2002 and cherished it for over 20 years before more recently selling it to the current noted 1953 Corvette expert.
Finished in Polo White over a Sportsman Red interior with a black cloth soft top, the interior and top were done by Corvette specialist John Kennedy. Powering this iconic '53 Corvette is a mechanically sorted 235-cubic-inch Blue Flame six-cylinder engine backed by a Powerglide automatic transmission.
Accompanying the sale of this sports car is the aforementioned black soft top and a set of optional bolt-in glass curtain windows. Listed in the 1953 C1 Corvette Registry and well-maintained since its comprehensive restoration completed by a noted shop, this example would make for a wonderful addition to any sports car collection or simply enjoyed at Corvette shows, collector car events, and enthusiasts meets.
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