Discover the history in the 1953 Corvette brochure and the making of America’s sports car of the future! Learn about its production and specs in this article.
We are looking at a 1953 Corvette brochure that was used to promote the new C1 Corvette. The first-generation Corvette was in its first year. The title of the 53 Corvette brochure is The Thrilling New Chevrolet Corvette – The American Sports Car of the Future!
As we look at the 1953 Corvette brochure, we want to look back at a few specifications and a little history. 1953 had a total production of 300 Corvettes. The base price was $3,498. All 1953 Corvettes were Polo White with a black soft top and red interior, and all 53 Corvettes were convertibles.
Because the 53 Corvette was in short supply, GM decided to sell them only to the rich and famous. This would get them the maximum publicity. The Du Ponts received three of them!
The 1953 Chevrolet Corvette was the first year the Corvette was produced, and there were only two options available
- 101A Heater $91.40
- 101B AM Radio $145.15
All first-year Corvettes were hand-built at the dedicated production facility set up on Van Slyke Avenue in Flint, Michigan. Production of the all-new Corvette two-seater began on June 30, 1953, and ended with this car, Serial No. E53F001300, which was completed, appropriately enough, on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1953.
The 1953 Corvette Stingray came with a 6-cylinder “Blue-Flame” engine that produced 150 hp and was mated to a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission.
The 1953 Corvette only weighed 530 lbs. The frame was manufactured by A.O. Smith. The Fiberglass body parts were made by Molded Fiber Glass Co.
What many people do not know about the 53 is that they did not have outside door handles, and in order to get in the car, you had to reach inside to open the door.
The new Corvette made its debut at the 1953 GM Motorama at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. We have a video you might enjoy watching of the 1953 Motorama Corvette show car.
Harley Earl is considered the true father of the Corvette. Zora-Arkus-Duntov joined General Motors in 1953 after seeing the Motorama Corvette on display. The legendary Corvette engineer came on board at GM in May 1953.
It is often asked what a 1953 Corvette is worth today.
Prices vary, but in the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale in 2014, Chip Miller, co-founder of Carlisle Events ’53, was sold with his 2003 Corvette as a pair for $660,000. Both vehicles had less than 10,000 original miles. The title reads exempt. SOLD AS A PAIR WITH LOT 5039.
In 2019 at the Mecum Monterey auction, the last 1953 sold for $320,000. You can check our Corvette auction results to see what the most current prices are.
Here are some other blog posts you might enjoy:
Nostalgia on Wheels: How 1953 Corvette Ads Made Automotive History
C1 Corvette Overview: The Making of America’s Sports Car
1953 VIN 003 Cutaway Corvette Donated to the NCM
C1 Corvette – THE HISTORY OF BODY KITS & DRESS-UP PARTS
1953 Corvette Specs, Colors, Facts, Production Statistics
1953 Corvette Postage Stamp History
1953 EX-122 Corvette – The Corvette that Inspired Zora
1953 Corvette Photos and Trivia
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