150 bhp, 235.5 cu. in. OHV inline Blue Flame six-cylinder engine, two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 102 in.

Corvettes were built by a small group of technicians rather than on a traditional assembly line. The fiberglass bodies were virtually handmade and did not carry Fisher Body style numbers like all the other GM models. Although conceived to be assembled from production GM parts, the Corvette continued to evolve through 1954 with minor changes that year, including a different window storage bag, air cleaners, a starter, and the rerouting of the fuel and brake lines. Additionally, a wider array of colors was available to buyers for the first time. Only around 3,600 Corvettes were built in 1954, far less than the 10,000 they had anticipated. Today, they are survivor cars with only a limited amount available, however, plentiful enough to remain attainable for today’s collectors.

This example was treated to a complete frame-off restoration, which included a full rebuild of all mechanicals. Today, it is finished in black with a red interior; the paintwork on this example is extremely well executed with no noticeable blemishes in the finish. The red interior is just as nice, and it is complemented by the beige canvas soft top and red steel wheels with full wheel covers. The engine bay is correctly finished as well, save for a little glamour provided by a chromed valve cover and radiator tank. The undercarriage is as nice as the top side and displays no wear from use, nor does the correctly finished trunk, which includes a red vinyl pouch with side curtains and a binder with a reprint of the original owner’s manual and additional sales literature.

The options on this Corvette roadster include directional signals, a heater, a signal-seeking AM radio, 6.70x15 whitewall tires, a parking brake alarm, courtesy lights, and a windshield washer, for a total sticker price of $3,254.10. Truly an outstanding example in the “right” color, this beautifully restored Corvette is worthy of close inspection.