1953 CORVETTE

  • The new 1953 Corvette had
    • a fiberglass body
    • chrome-framed grille with 13 heavy vertical chrome bars
    • rounded front fenders with recessed headlights with wire screen covers
    • no side windows or outside door handles
    • a wraparound windshield
    • protruding, fender-integrated taillights.
  • The interior featured
    • a floor-mounted shifter for the Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission
    • oil pressure gauge
    • battery gauge
    • water temperature gauge
    • fuel gauge
    • tachometer
    • clock
  • Each 1953 Corvette was virtually hand-built and a lot of minor changes were made during the production run.
  • All of the first-year cars were Polo White with Sportsman Red interiors.
  • All had black canvas convertible tops which manually folded into a storage space behind the seats.
  • Other 1953-only features included
    • special valve covers
    • a one-piece carburetor linkage
    • a small trunk mat.
  • Short exhaust extensions were used on all '53s (and early '54s) because they were prone to drawing exhaust fumes into the car through the vent windows.
  • A black oilcloth window storage bag was provided to protect the 1953 Corvette's removable plastic side windows when stowed in the trunk.

I.D. NUMBERS

  • Corvette used the standard 10 symbol Chevrolet Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) coding system.
  • The I.D. tag was located on the left-hand front door hinge pillar.
    • E = Corvette model
    • 53 = 1953
    • F = Flint, Michigan assembly plant
    • the last six numbers were the sequential production number
    • They numbered from E53F001001 to E53F001300.
  • The engine number was found on the right-hand side of the crankcase behind the distributor.
  • The engine numbers for 1953 used the prefix "LAY".
  • Since the Corvette bodies were virtually handmade, they did not carry standard Fisher Body Style Numbers as did other GM cars.
  • The Corvette model number consisted of the four digits 2934, which also served as the body style number for the early production years.

IDENTIFICATION

Series No. Body/Style No. Body Type Factory Price Shipping Weight Production Total
2934 2934 1953 Corvette
2-dr. Roadster - 2 passenger		 $2774 2705 lb 300

ENGINE

Engine typesix-cylinder, inline, overhead valve unit
Blockcast iron block.
Displacement235.5 cid (3.9 liters)
Bore & Stroke3.56 in. (90mm) x 3.93 in. (100mm)
Compression8.0:1.
Power150 brake hp @ 4200 rpm.
Ignitionsingle breaker point.
CarburetorThree Carter Type YH one-barrel Model 2066S on the early models
and Model 2055S on later models.

CHASSIS

Wheelbase102 inches (2.591 m)
Overall length167 inches (4.242 m)
Front tread57 inches (1.448 m)
Rear tread58.8 inches (1.494 m)
Wheelssteel disk
Tires6.70x15
Front suspensioncoil springs with tubular shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionLeaf springs, tube shocks and solid rear axle
BrakesDrum on all four wheels
Axle ratio3.55:1

OPTIONS

  • Signal-seeking AM radio ($145.15)
  • Heater ($91.40)
  • White sidewall tires

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • The first Corvette was built on June 30, 1953 at the Flint, Michigan assembly plant.
  • These Corvettes were constructed in an area at the back of Chevy's customer delivery garage on Van Slyke Ave.
  • They are not only the first, but also the rarest Vettes.
  • 300 cars were produced and about 200 are still in the hands of collectors.
  • The first two cars are missing.
  • By early 1954, Chev said that 315 Corvettes had been built and that production had moved to the assembly plant in St. Louis, Missouri.
  • They predicted that 1000 Corvettes per month would be built in St. Louis by June 1954 and that 10,000 per year could be built and sold.
  • Zora Arkus-Duntov joined Chevrolet Motor Division in 1953 and would become the chief engineer of Corvette.

1953 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1953 Corvette

1953 Corvette

1953 Corvette

1953 Corvette


LITERATURE & LINKS




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