Vehicle Description
Older body-off restoration with just over 750 miles on it. One of only 100 cars built in Sportsman Red. Beautiful paint, body, chrome, and interior, detailed engine, clean undercarriage. Ready to drive or show.
This particular 1954 Corvette received a high-quality restoration perhaps 10-15 years ago, and hasn't been used much since, now showing just over 750 miles on the odometer, which was surely reset at the time of restoration. As a result of this, the Sportsman Red paint is bright and vivid, showing a shine that was all but impossible in 1954 and certainly a gloss and surface finish that just wasn't available on the primitive fiberglass bodywork. Gaps are excellent, surely better than new, and there's no trace of the original bonding strips and ragged joints between body sections that were surely visible when it was new. Details like the famous toothy grille, the wonderful mesh headlight protectors, and the simple wrap-around bumpers (which protect the bodywork with minimalist elegance) are all in excellent condition, having been restored to show standards with the rest of the car. In short, they did a great job restoring this car and it remains in excellent condition with only very minor signs of age and use.
Obviously the upholstery is all new, including the door panels, carpets, and seat covers, and it is quite correct in appearance and execution. In true sports car fashion, there's a full complement of dials, ranging from the standard amps/temp/pressure readings to a tachometer in the center, which also includes an actual rev counter, which literally counts the number of times the engine has revolved so you can forecast maintenance needs. There's also a clock that happily ticks away as it should and a more modern AM/FM/cassette radio in the original AM radio's slot, something that I think a dedicated purist might want to replace. And this is a true roadster, as there are no windows, although a set of side curtains live in their own custom pouch buckled into the trunk. There's also a tan canvas folding top under the rear deck, and we suspect that we are the first to erect it in many years, so it shows some light staining and signs of age. The trunk is surprisingly large and well-shaped, and includes a color-matched mat, the jack handle, and a spare tire tucked underneath.
Thanks to 235 cubic inches, three side-draft carburetors, a more radical camshaft, and a variety of other improvements, the Blue Flame Six makes a rather robust 150 horsepower and the smoothest torque curve you've ever felt in a Corvette. It's fully rebuilt and nicely detailed, with corporate blue engine enamel on the engine itself, a trio of rebuilt Carter carburetors, and correct decals wherever necessary. Yes, it shows a few minor signs of use that are completely in line with the 750 miles shown on the odometer, and most of the evidence could be erased with an afternoon of simple detailing. All 1954 Corvettes were 6-volt, but this one cranks over easily and fires quickly every time, even without the choke, and after a moment or two, settles into a somewhat more aggressive idle than your average Chevy family sedan.
This was obviously a body-off restoration, with the frame itself painted satin black and the floors remaining raw fiberglass. Obviously Corvette bodies don't rust, but this one shows no pitting or other signs of corrosion on the frame itself and the restoration was quite thorough, addressing the suspension, brakes, and fuel systems, all of which are in good order today. The PowerGlide transmission shifts crisply and with 3.55 gears in the factory rear end, it's quite happy cruising at 60 MPH without any drama and feels quick and nimble around town. There's a recent stainless steel exhaust system that sounds right, giving the burly six an aggressive voice and poking out of the rear fascia between the bumpers, as original. Factory steel wheels with hubcaps were the only option, and these are fitted with 6.70-15 BFGoodrich wide whitewall tires that look quite authentic.
The 1954 Corvette stands at the crossroads between the past and future of sports cars, a link in the chain that brought us today's incredible 600-horsepower machines. But if you're like me, the thought of a modest cruise down your favorite winding country road can be immensely appealing in a car like this Corvette. As the old saying, it's a lot more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow, and this Corvette is a joy at any speed. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
