Vehicle Description
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Auburn Fall event, 30
August - 2 September 2018.
Estimate:
$250,000 - $300,000
Desirable first year of the CorvetteThe 209th of only 300
builtDocumented ownership history since the early 1960sRecently
completed professional restoration
In the 1950s, many of the world's most desirable sports cars came
from European designers and manufacturers. A team of engineers from
General Motors, led by the legendary Harley Earl, went to work to
design a fiberglass-bodied car with the design and performance to
compete with anything that Europe could throw at the U.S. market.
The team penned a low, aircraft-like body that looked fast just
sitting still. The long, sleek hood was made possible by moving the
�Blue Flame' six-cylinder engine toward the rear. This also had the
benefit of lowering the car's center of gravity, making it handle
superbly.
The finished prototype, which cost the staggering sum of $1.5
million to complete, was dubbed EX-122 and made its public debut on
17 January 1953 at the iconic 1953 Motorama display, where it
featured alongside other luxury convertible concept cars from GM's
family of marques, including the Buick Wildcat and Oldsmobile
Starfire. The public reaction to EX-122 was overwhelming, and GM
quickly rushed the car into production beginning in June 1953. Just
300 Corvettes were completed by year's end. Not simply a cultural
icon, this first year of Corvette production also marked a
significant 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, of course, would go on
to become an American icon that is still revered by those lucky
enough to own one.
The car offered here is the 209th of those 300 Corvettes built for
1953. A full photo-documented restoration was completed to the
highest possible standards, and the car is ready to compete for
trophies at any Corvette show in the country. Presented in the
original color scheme of Polo White over a red interior with black
convertible top and equipped with a Signal Seeking radio, side
curtains, original jack, spare tire, and owner's manual, this 1953
Corvette is an ideal addition to any sports car collection.To view
this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please
visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/AF18.
