And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Advertising photos of the 1953 Chevrolet Corvette.
Am sure several people bought one and garaged it. Only 300 were built, average price is $225K+. Probably $1500 new back then. Our '56 Bel Air was $2000. Power steering, AM radio, but no power brakes or A/C.
So, today’s ersatz Italian pimp car started out as a legitimate roadster. So much for what might have been. But we still have the Mazda Miata, the world’s best roadster, maybe the best ever.
This is either serial #1 or #2. The trim piece behind the front wheel is reversed. The Corvette logo should be above trim with the slash pointed up. I don't think the first two ever were sold. I think they were keep as engineering samples and later destroyed
Here is a photo of a Corvette that was taken at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours event. It shows the same trim/emblem arrangement as the car in the photos above. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bradkiwi/3039722225
There is a discussion about the trim arrangement within the comments of Brad’s photo. The Pebble Beach Concours event does tend to feature vehicles with provenance so it may very well be a pre-production version used for early promotional purposes.
…and here is a photo which apparently shows the very first production Corvette, presumably taken at the Chevrolet facility at that time. Note that the subject trim appears different from the car in the San Francisco photos above. https://www.flickr.com/photos/machadobrazil/4280951663
Back when they were cool little roadsters as compared to the ass heavy monstrosity they are now. Knew a guy back in the 80s that found a '62 he got from some old lady that had it parked for decades in her garage, so very sweet.
Am sure several people bought one and garaged it. Only 300 were built, average price is $225K+. Probably $1500 new back then. Our '56 Bel Air was $2000. Power steering, AM radio, but no power brakes or A/C.
ReplyDeletePhotos wouldn't be the same without the women.
ReplyDeleteCompare that to the bums on tv ads now.
DeleteSo, today’s ersatz Italian pimp car started out as a legitimate roadster. So much for what might have been. But we still have the Mazda Miata, the world’s best roadster, maybe the best ever.
ReplyDeleteThis is either serial #1 or #2. The trim piece behind the front wheel is reversed. The Corvette logo should be above trim with the slash pointed up. I don't think the first two ever were sold. I think they were keep as engineering samples and later destroyed
ReplyDeleteAfter further research, I don't know what I'm talking about. My Bad
DeleteHere is a photo of a Corvette that was taken at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours event. It shows the same trim/emblem arrangement as the car in the photos above.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/bradkiwi/3039722225
There is a discussion about the trim arrangement within the comments of Brad’s photo. The Pebble Beach Concours event does tend to feature vehicles with provenance so it may very well be a pre-production version used for early promotional purposes.
49er Badger
…and here is a photo which apparently shows the very first production Corvette, presumably taken at the Chevrolet facility at that time. Note that the subject trim appears different from the car in the San Francisco photos above.
Deletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/machadobrazil/4280951663
49er Badger
Back when they were cool little roadsters as compared to the ass heavy monstrosity they are now. Knew a guy back in the 80s that found a '62 he got from some old lady that had it parked for decades in her garage, so very sweet.
ReplyDelete