Corvettes for Sale: ‘Tribute’ 1953 Corvette with 350-HP Crate Motor on Craigslist

Jun 5, 2025

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Corvettes for Sale: 'Tribute' 1953 Corvette with 350-HP Crate Motor on Craigslist

With prices of the real thing soaring to stratospheric levels affordable for only the wealthy these days, this 1953 “tribute” Corvette offers the rest of us a chance to get in on the fun, too.

While it’s definitely not a real ’53 Corvette, this red over white convertible still looks great – and for sure packs a much more potent punch under the hood than the original.

Now it’s being offered for sale on Craigslist out of the Fredonia, New York area (southwest of Buffalo) for $39,000, and the seller indicates he’s even open to trades.

While no details about the build are offered in the listing, the photos seem to indicate that the paint and interior are in top-notch condition.

Whereas the stock ’53 made only 150 horsepower from its Blue Flame six-cylinder engine, this one has a 350 V8 crate motor that pumps out a much more impressive 350 horses!

Other modern touches include a Holley 650 carburetor, 3.73 10-bolt rear end, shorty headers, Flowmaster mufflers, Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes, Flaming River steering column, rectangular chassis, tubular A-arms, custom LED headlights, and new Coker wide whitewall tires.

You’ll also notice another nice feature – a “very lightweight” white hardtop that the seller promises “one man can easily remove.”

He says his “SUPER COOL” Corvette drives “tight and smooth” and doesn’t have any squeaks or rattles.

We’ve always preferred the look of ’53 to ’55s that have been modded with mag wheels, so that would be the first thing we’d do with this kit car since originality doesn’t matter. So, would you consider adding this wannabe Corvette to your stable of cars?