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VIN E54S001135

























   
Car Year: 1954
Car's approximate birthday: January 19, 1954
 
Owner: eBay Motors Seller rkmotorscharlotte
City: Charlotte
State: North Carolina
Country: United States
 
Purchase date: Undefined
Status: Current Owner
 
Nickname: E54S001135
State: Not Restored
 
Exterior: Polo White (88.74%)
Interior: Red (91.59%)
Softtop: Beige (100.00%)
Wheels: Red (100.00%)
 
Delivery Dealer Zone: Unknown
Delivery Dealer Code: Unknown
 
Options: RPO Option Percentage
Sold [%]
Sales Price
[$]
  02934 Base Engine 235ci "Blue Flame" 150hp (150hp) 100.00% 2,774.00
  100 Directional Signals 100.00% 16.75
  101 Heater 100.00% 91.40
  102 AM Radio 100.00% 145.15
  290B Whitewall Tires 6.70x15 100.00% 26.90
  313M Powerglide Transmission 100.00% 178.35
  420A Parking Brake Alarm 100.00% 5.65
  421A Courtesy Lights 100.00% 4.05
  422A Windshield Washers 100.00% 11.85
  Total   81.276566839753656%
(2 Cars)
3,254.10
 
Factory job nr.: Unknown
Export Car: Non Export Car
Other details: Added to Registry 07/05/2012
Mileage: 39,229 miles
 
Car history:
What is the true meaning of the word "original"? Is it defined as an initial action or
benchmark which guides others? Or, is it better characterized by something which
preserves that initial action? Fortunately, you won't have to brush off your
philosophy
skills with this 1954 Corvette survivor because it fits EVERY definition of "original"
right down to the last letter. Not only is it a very early edition of America's first
sports car, it's also a well-preserved time capsule which features a correctly finished
fiberglass body, a numbers matching Blue Flame six cylinder engine and a correct
Power glide transmission. If you're in the market for a significant Corvette that
stands head and shoulders above all the over restored and carelessly modified
'plastic fantastics' out there, this awesome '54 roadster is the collector car you've
been looking for!

So, with its original C1 Corvette build quality still intact, how does this unrestored
'54 survivor look? Absolutely spectacular! Its composed fiberglass body features
the kind of texture and intricacies that only early experimentation with cutting edge
panel technology can deliver. And even after all these years, its classic lacquer
paint still displays a clean combination of gloss and satin finishes that are
characteristic of 50s GM manufacturing techniques. Like all 3,640 1954 Corvettes
produced, this car was assembled at GM's new for 1954 St. Louis Corvette facility,
and its fit and finish appears as correct today as it was 58 years ago. There's no
evidence that the car has ever seen any major damages or repairs; and its solid
condition is typical of what we all wish to find in project cars that actually NEED
restoration to be taken seriously. Step back, take a long look at this time capsule
survivor, and realize that you're probably gazing at one of the nicest original
Corvettes you'll ever find!

The 1954 Corvette is essentially a perfected version of Chevrolets hand-built 1953
model which set a design precedent for American cars and began a legacy that is
now 60 years strong. Up front, an aggressively styled and well-maintained one
piece chrome grille, sits between angled front bumpers which curve around the
sides of the car and display a surprisingly small amount of patina. Below those
bumpers, clear bullet-style marker lights are centered on a chrome fang-like tag
holder; and above those bumpers, pristine headlights, which are protected by
original chrome trimmed and wire faced buckets, align perfectly with a slightly
weathered C1 Corvette emblem. At the sides of the car, awesome original trim
spears ride below original "Corvette" scripts and an original driver's side mirror.
And at the top of the car, a pristine wraparound windshield props an original beige
top above vintage side curtain windows. At the base of that top, a snug fitting
trunk holds a clear tag holder between finned and chrome trimmed tail lights. And
at the back of the car, original chrome bumpers align perfectly between factory
correct exhaust tips and a centered lock cylinder.

Sure, the car looks cool, but what really makes this 1954 Corvette special is the
numbers matching Blue Flame engine under its hood. Stamped 02278I2 F54YG,
which decodes correctly as a 150 horsepower (YG) inline 6 cylinder built in Flint (F)
Michigan in 1954 (54), this version of Chevrolets storied six cylinder workhorse
utilizes a high-lift truck cam, mechanical lifters and a higher compression ratio to
produce a high performance, low budget blueprint which has served as the
groundwork for virtually every hot rod Chevy of the last half century. At the top of
the engine, an original "Chevrolet" branded valve cover rides beside a fresh
chrome coolant tank. On the left side of the engine, Corvette-exclusive side-draft
Carter 1-barrel carburetors send fuel from an AC fuel bowl to six siamesed
cylinders which are equipped with a Corvette-exclusive dual exhaust manifold. On
the right side of the engine, a reproduction battery sends spark to a concealed
ignition system which sits between an AC fuel pump and a correct washer fluid
reserve. And in front of the engine, a heavy duty radiator, which is cooled by a
correct belt driven fan, sends water through correct reproduction GM hoses and
correct bent clamps. For the sake of authenticity, the owner of this awesome
Corvette has chosen to keep the engine bay as close to original as possible; and
as a result, many of the surfaces carry 100% untouched finishes. Fully functional
and ready to hit the road today, the smooth engine snarls through the gears with
a vintage feeling that few street cars can offer. And thanks to a complete tune up
from the ASE certified mechanics here at RK Motors Charlotte; it idles nicely, is
happy to putt around at low speeds and doesn't drip anything or over heat at all.

Take a look under this vintage Vette and you'll find an original floorpan which
frames an unrestored boxed and X-braced chassis, an unrestored drivetrain and
an unrestored satin black suspension. Since Chevrolets manual gear grinders
couldn't handle the output of the Corvettes 'high pressure' Blue Flame, their
acclaimed Powerglide 2-speed automatic was the only transmission offered.
Naturally, this didn't sit well with most sports car buyers; but to GMs credit, the
Powerglide is a very robust piece that usually enjoys a long life behind anything
from a souped up four cylinder to a stout small block V8. Power flows from that
stalwart transmission to a Hypoid rear axle which is loaded with standard 3.55
gears and held off the ground by direct doubling acting shocks and traditional leaf
springs. Turns come courtesy of a manual rack which is integrated into an
innovative independent front suspension that utilizes both direct double acting
shocks and a ride stabilizer. And stops are provided by large manual drum brakes
which sit right behind each wheel. In the center of the car, a new mandrel bent
factory replacement exhaust system gives the car a 'just right' vintage cruiser
sound. And at the corners of the car, correct 15 inch steel wheels spin Firestone
G70-15 wide white wall tires around original full wheel covers which still display
original paint.

With three out of the four exterior colors offered on the 1954 Corvette, red was
the only interior option. And while, initially, that might seem like bad news, the
bright red hue looks right at home inside this roadsters Polo White body. Like the
rest of the car, the interior is completely original with correct materials and
patterns displayed throughout. The bucket seats are surprisingly firm and feature
crisp tear-free covers which make them both comfortable and capable of earning
points at the shows. The big steering wheel, which is clearly inspired by race cars
of the period, features matching two-tone paint, grooved spokes and a delicately
aged horn ring. The red capped and satin painted dash holds a full array of
gauges, which even include a tachometer, below a small rear view mirror, a signal
seeking AM radio and a traditional Chevrolet dash speaker. And consoles were still
an invention of the future in 1954, so the shifter snakes its way up the
transmission tunnel from the driver's floorboard. At the sides of the seats,
beautifully stitched panels highlight small and simple doors, at the bottom of the
seats, original carpet is still stretched tight across the floor; and behind the seats,
a famous Corvette waterfall adds a little show car style.

There's just something special about an early solid-axle Corvette. And when it
comes to a car like this '54 roadster which features a correct body, a numbers
matching Blue Flame six cylinder engine and a correct Powerglide transmission,
they become super unique among their Corvette brothers in terms of collector
appeal and driving characteristics. If you're ready to fall in love with a car that
preserves the timeless style of the C1 Corvette in almost every way imaginable,
this '54 roadster is the opportunity you've been waiting for!

Price: US $89,900.00
eBay Item number: 280908854261
 
For Sale: No

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