It’s always refreshing to see a ’53-’55 Corvette in a color other than Polo White.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that original shade, but for those enthusiasts who prefer to drive something out of the ordinary, this Sportsman Red ’54 with a tan top certainly fills the bill.
A new owner should be celebrating by Monday night as the no reserve eBay auction is slated to come to a close. As of Sunday night, the high bid has climbed to $38,966 after 34 offers.
This classic Corvette – produced as the factory started “moving and grooving,” so to speak – is one of only 100 Sportsman Red roadsters out of the 3,640 built in St. Louis that year, a number that was up considerably over the initial 300 Polo White over red cars that were produced in ’53.
Since its early days, though, this car is said to have undergone $35,000 worth of mechanical upgrades over the past five years, including the installation of a 350 V8 engine connected to a four-speed manual transmission and aluminum radiator.
Performance should definitely be a lot better compared to the original 150-horsepower Blue Flame V6 originally under the hood. Indeed, the seller claims the car now “runs and drives great,” thanks to its “strong motor and transmission.”
Originally a California car, it’s not a surprise that it still has a “nice solid” frame, and the seller describes the paint as “nice driver quality” with “some flaws.” It may just be the photos, but the doors look like they could use some adjusting because they don’t line up right to us. A new tan convertible top has also been installed.
The red interior, meanwhile, is in nice overall condition, but while the headlights, turn signals, and “most gauges” are said to be functional, the wipers and radio don’t.
We’re not too crazy about the aftermarket wire wheels that have been installed, but that should be an easy fix if the new owner feels the same way. Regardless, for one of the first 2,000 Corvettes ever built, this one looks pretty good to us some 70 years later.
Source:
eBay Motors via Barnfinds.com
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