Vehicle Description
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Fort Lauderdale event, 6 -
7 April 2018.
Estimates:
$240,000 - $265,000
The first year of the CorvetteThe 147th of only 300
builtMasterfully restored by a Corvette expertBloomington Gold
Certification
In the 1950s, many of the world's most popular sports cars came
from Europe. A team of engineers from General Motors, led by the
legendary Harley Earl, went to work to design fiberglass-bodied
cars that had the appeal to compete with the best Europe had to
offer. The team penned a low body that stood just under 47 in. tall
with a long, sleek hood made possible by moving the 'Blue Flame'
six-cylinder engine toward the rear. It is reported that the team
spent over $1.5 million on the project, a staggering sum for the
early 1950s.
The finished prototype was dubbed EX-122 and made its public debut
on 17 January 1953 at the legendary 1953 Motorama display, where it
featured alongside other luxury concept cars from GM's family of
marques. The public reaction to EX-122 was overwhelming, and GM
quickly rushed the car into production beginning in June 1953. By
year's end, a total of just 300 Corvettes were completed. This
first year of Corvette production marked an important technical
milestone, as GM was the first major American car manufacturer to
successfully mass-produce a vehicle with an all-fiberglass body and
underpan.
The car offered here is the 147th of those 300 Corvettes built for
1953. A full restoration was completed by the late Corvette expert
and restorer Jack Kershlis of Amherst, Massachusetts. The superb
restoration garnered the coveted Bloomington Gold Certification on
27 June 2004, scoring 7,785 points out of a possible 7,880.
Certification forms are included with the sale. The car still
presents beautifully throughout, which speaks to the quality of the
work performed by Mr. Kershlis.
Presented in the highly desirable color scheme of Polo White over a
red interior and equipped with an AM radio and heater, this 1953
Corvette is an ideal addition to any significant sports car
collection.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/FL18.