Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey

0
1902

Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey

It’s always exciting when a first-year Corvette is up for sale.

This Saturday, Aug. 16 between approximately 8:18 and 8:38 p.m. at Russo and Steele’s 14th Annual Monterey California Auction, Number 149 out of the initial run of 300 1953 Corvettes will be offered without reserve. The highest bidder will take this classic Corvette home!

Believe it or not, after 61 years, this is just a two-owner Corvette!

The original owner sold the car in 1961 to David Grove, who owned and personally maintained it until he died in late 2012.

Grove is a story in himself as he was an internationally acclaimed Hall of Fame illustrator whose efforts appeared in Road & Track, Car and Driver, Mercedes, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and National Geographic. You can even see his work in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame.

Called an “unmolested original,” Grove’s ’53 has seen some repainting and the paint at the left rear tail is damaged because of a garage mishap shortly before he died.

Nevertheless, the car is very original – with the chassis, bright metal, glass, wheel covers, dash and hardware, and upholstery still the factory original. The trunk mats have been replaced, but the deteriorated originals are included. The convertible top is also an aftermarket replacement, and the original windshield has a small chip in the lower right corner. After the original head cracked, Grove removed it, repaired and replaced it. The engine is said to be completely operational, however, and the car can be driven.

The car was featured in Grove’s 2012 memor called “David Grove – An Illustrated Life” as well as the April issue of Corvette Magazine. By the way, that article implied that the garage mishap caused body damage, but the auction house says this is not the case.

“This historic first-year Corvette is a unique car owned for more than 50 years by a unique individual,” the auction house says.

“What could be better?”

Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey
Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey
Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey
Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey Russo and Steele to Auction a 1953 Corvette with VIN 149 at Monterey


Source:
Russo and Steele

Related:
Terry Michaelis’ NASCAR Corvette Wins Again
[PICS] Bloomington Gold 2014 – 1953 Corvette VIN 009
Corvettes on eBay: LS-Powered 1954 Corvette Restomod

 



-