$100K FRAME-OFF RESTO, UPGRADES ABOUND, 400 V8, ALUMINUM HEADS, 2 MUCH 2 LIST!

1954 Chevrolet Corvette Description

This very cool 1954 Corvette is exactly the kind of car you need if you crave attention. The '54s are kind of stuck between the ultra-valuable first-year 1953s and the V8-powered '55s, and as a result, this car enjoyed some well-chosen upgrades that make it potent as well as stylish. If you want a Corvette that does it all, well, there aren't many choices better than this frame-off restored example.Yep, it's bright, and with the limited color pallet in 1954, yellow tends to stand out in a big way. It was repainted a few years ago and the fiberglass underneath is in good order, so you can roll up and show it off without a second thought. It shines up beautifully and there's no denying that these first Corvettes are great-looking cars. They kept all the factory curves and details, including the wonderful mini fins out back that flank the taillights, making this the perfect expression of 1950s performance. For an early Corvette, panel fit is great, especially the trunk which is difficult to fit on these cars. We love the toothy grille and the European race-inspired grilles over the headlights, and all the bright trim was restored before it was bolted back on. And this C1 has rebuilt, OEM side windows, which are incredibly rare and expensive (over $6k!), and are a wonderful period addition. Even the Plexiglas license plate lens in back is crystal clear. It's pretty darn easy to love this car.The interior doesn't stray too far from the stock look, but the more you look, the more you'll see the subtle upgrades that make it a joy to drive. The seats are stock-style buckets and the three-spoke steering wheel was designed to look like the original, but it's a little smaller, a little fatter, and wrapped in tan leather. A full set of Auto Meter gauges were precisely integrated into the original gauge slots in the dash, while the factory speedo is still ahead of the driver. An AM/FM/cassette stereo was neatly tucked up high so you don't really notice it and feeds speakers cleverly stashed throughout the interior, and a CD changer is stowed away nicely in the truck. Black carpets keep it from being too bright inside and help keep things quiet and cool and there's a Lokar shifter in the center that looks suitably vintage. Overhead there's a black canvas convertible top that fits well and the trunk is fully finished and ready for your next road trip.Instead of a Blue Flame Six under the hood, this 'Vette offers a proper V8; 400 cubic inches to be exact. The small block is a neat fit in the '54's engine bay and has all the modern upgrades that make it a blast to drive. Chrome dress-up, a mild Performance Cam, Holley 4-barrel carb, aluminum heads, and things like 12-volt electrical system with alternator and a big aluminum radiator, aluminum warer pump and electric fan up front help ensure cool reliability. It starts easily and in the relatively light weight Corvette, performance is impressive. A TH350 automatic transmission snaps through the gears and with 3.50 gears on a limited slip out back, it's snappy off the line. The suspension is fairly stock but does a good job of planting that horsepower and keeping the car on track, and the exhaust note is pure American muscle with Flowmasters and Hooker long-tube headers. Chrome wheels are the right choice on a car like this and they're wearing 215/65/15 BFG radials all around.This well-built '54 Corvette is all about having fun in a wicked cool old car. With a pro-built pedigree and a great look, you can buy with confidence and use it as the original engineers intended. It would likely take six figures to replicate this build, so why not enjoy the fruits of someone else hard labor, turn the key and go? She won't last long, call today!