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LOT 453

Selling on Saturday Evening

1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

  • Desirable first year of the Corvette
  • Number 114 of only 300 built in 1953
  • Provenance includes single ownership for over 50 years
  • Freshly restored by noted early Corvette specialist Irvin Patrick
  • Never before shown and ready for NCRS and Bloomington Gold judging

Register To Bid Auction Info

Without question, the Chevrolet Corvette stands as the longest-running and most successful line of sports cars ever produced. Debuted as a concept car at the 1953 GM Motorama Show in New York, the bold Corvette caused such a stir that it was fast-tracked for development and production. Getting Corvette production up and running was no small task, given the fact it was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body. First-year sales amounted to just 300 units for 1953, and with the addition of Zora Arkus-Duntov to the Corvette engineering team, the radical new Chevrolet sports car was relentlessly developed and improved along all disciplines into a true sports car capable of besting the world’s finest – on and off the racetrack. Offered here is Corvette Number 114 from the mere 300 built for the inaugural year of 1953. This Corvette has just emerged from a full, complete, and total restoration by noted Corvette specialist Irvin Patrick in Paintsville, Kentucky. Nothing was overlooked in returning this historic car to factory-new condition and it looks today just as it did when it left the factory. All Corvettes built for 1953 wore recognizable Polo White paint with a Sportsman Red interior and correctly, this one is no exception.

The current owner, a well-respected early Corvette collector, acquired 114 after it had resided in New York with the same owner since the late ‘60s, as evident by a New York vehicle registration sticker attached to the front window. The timeless elegance of the first-year Corvette is nicely outlined in this example, which features flawless bodywork and excellent panel fit throughout. The restoration of Corvette Number 114 was recently commissioned, with great care taken to ensure correctness. During the process, it was taken down to the frame and all colors, inspection markings, and assembly methods were accurately replicated. Power for this Corvette comes from Chevrolet’s proper “Blue Flame” six-cylinder engine mated to a Powerglide automatic transmission. The engine was completely rebuilt, and all correct paint colors, wiring, hoses, clamps, and fasteners were utilized. All first-year Corvettes were built with a striking Sportsman Red interior that made great use of contrasting colors with the steering wheel, instrument panel, and accents all finished in white, while the upholstery, carpets, and door panels are red. All 1953 Corvettes used a black canvas convertible top and the one on this example is simply excellent, with proper fitting and correct stitching. The interior was correctly restored and includes a Chevrolet’s ‘Wonderbar’ signal-seeking AM radio. All told, Corvette Number 114 stands ready to be judged for the first time at top events around the country like Bloomington Gold¼ and NCRS meets.

There are many landmarks in automotive design that changed how America viewed a sports car, but the Corvette was the first, as it blazed a path for all to follow. First-year examples are truly rare and rather hard to come by, and those few that are authentically restored to exact factory specifications are even harder to find. This 1953 Corvette, with its attention to detail and master craftsmanship, is a car that will stand tall among the very best on any show field. Simply put, this 1953 Corvette is a must-have for the serious collector of Corvettes and important American sports cars.

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