In this article, we are looking at the 1953 Corvette photos and trivia from that era. At the end of the ads, we will also look in our Rear Vues at what was happening during the time with a little 1953 Trivia.
1953 Corvette Photos from the Motorama.
Do you like videos? We also have a promotional film from Chevrolet that details the Design and Engineering features of the 1953 Corvette. As it was created prior to the introduction of the production car in June 1953, the car shown is actually the original Motorama Corvette show car, which can be easily identified by the unique front fender trim and the “Corvette” script on the hood.
Want to learn more about the 1953 Corvette’s Specs, Colors, Facts, and Production Statistics?
Did you know the only two options available on the 1953 Corvette were a heater and an AM radio?
As we look at the 1953 Corvette, we thought you might enjoy a little trivia about what was happening in 1953.
Publishing has always been difficult. In 1953, a new publication came on the scene. Its publisher borrowed $1,000 from his mother and a few others to start it in a Hyde Park kitchen (Chicago). The first issue came out in December but was undated because they were unsure if there would be a second issue. The issue sold out in weeks for a price of $.50 per issue. The circulation was 53,991. The magazine’s first centerfold was Marilyn Monroe. You guessed it, Playboy. I might mention that if you did not get this issue, you could buy it on eBay for $29,995.94.
Now, this was a good year for the men. Life expectancy was only 68.8 years, but that was about to change. The first successful open-heart surgery was performed in Philadelphia…with the new Playboy magazine; this was good timing!
Hank Williams had the hit song “Your Cheatin’ Heart.” Other hit songs included “Crying In The Chapel,” “Mend Your Ways,” “Please Don’t Leave Me,” Hum…
In 1953, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded “Crazy Man, Crazy,” which became the first rock and roll song to hit the American charts. This was not without controversy, Rock & Roll was considered by many to be an evil influence on Children.
If you were a teen, you were probably trying to convince your mom that the black leather motorcycle look was ok. Thanks to James Dean and Elvis, this was the new fad!
Unfortunately, Westinghouse did not sell the first color TV until late December ($1250). The shows that were popular included I Love Lucy, The Roy Rogers Show, Death Valley Days, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Texaco Star Theater, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The Jack Benny Show, and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Some shows that ended in 1953 were Amos and Andy, Victory at Sea, and The Ernie Kovacs Show.
In 1953, the New York Yankees won the World Series. They defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 4 to 2. Indiana, who defeated Kansas 69 to 68, won the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Basketball Championship.
Now the football results are a little confusing to me, but I’m sure you guys will know what it all means. So, here is what I found: the final rankings for the NCAA Football Champions were made on November 29. This was after the regular season and without consideration of the postseason bowl games. The 1953 college football season finished with the Maryland Terrapins capturing the national championship. So Maryland Terrapins were #1 (10-0-0), #2 was Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-0-1), and #3 was Michigan State Spartans (8-1-0).
A very popular hobby was collecting cards, i.e., baseball, rookie, Topps, tobacco, etc. Your 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle card is worth $15,000 today (2014), and that 1953 Topps # 104 Yogi Berra is selling for $11,750… Do not be too confused with Yogi Bair’s Corvette parts in Linesville, Pennsylvania.
Now that base Corvette that you would have paid $3,498 for is selling for $175,000 to $235,000 these days. Perhaps some of our mathematical readers/engineers are figuring out which was the best investment.
Now in 1953, I would assume Marilyn Monroe was dating Joe DiMaggio because they were married in January 1954. I only bring this up because I saw that a baseball card from 1937, an O-Pee-Chee #118 Joe DiMaggio SGC 96 in MINT condition, is selling for $150,000.00. Go figure!
If you were of working age, you were in luck; unemployment was only at 3%. The inflation rate was 0.82%. The average wages per year were $4,000.00.
Some of the costs you were experiencing were: a new chainsaw was $225.00, a flashlight battery cost 14¢, and a gallon of gas was 20 cents. The average cost of a new car was $1,650.00 (base Corvette…$3,498).
Here are some other articles you might enjoy:
Nostalgia on Wheels: How 1953 Corvette Ads Made Automotive History
C1 Corvette Overview: The Making of America’s Sports Car
1953 Corvette Specs, Colors, Facts, Production Statistics
1953 Corvette Motorama Vintage Ads
1953 Corvette Photos and Trivia
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