Incredibly Rare C1 Corvette on eBay Even Still Has Its Factory Hardtop
Numbers-matching C1 Corvette may not look like much, but it has a good running engine and a current registration, believe it or not!
The C1 Corvette was truly a first of its kind for the U.S. Chevy even advertised it as “the first all-American sports car.” The Corvette struck a chord with America with its amazingly charming looks and open-top driving experience. Not only did it lay the foundation for nearly 70 years of heritage, but it also was the first domino in the chain of American muscle and sports cars. Without the C1 Corvette, we likely wouldn’t have any of the American classics we know and love. We may not even have the LS engine! Unfortunately, many early C1 Corvette examples didn’t make it all 60+ years.
That alone is what makes this eBay find so stunning. This 1954 Chevrolet Corvette is currently up for auction. At the time of writing, it has a bid of $34,200. That almost seems questionably low. Though the paint obviously needs some love, to call this car a survivor is almost insulting. This thing isn’t just a survivor; it’s a rolling museum.
This Old Beauty Is as Original as They Come
Under the hood lies this beautiful classic Vette’s original numbers-matching six-cylinder engine. Though its 150-horsepower output is hardly sporty through today’s lens, it was plenty for a good time back then. Additionally, this was the only engine Chevrolet offered for the Corvette through 1954. The iconic sports car wouldn’t get its first V8 until the 1955 model year.
The listing states that the six-cylinder lump is mated to a manual transmission. However, the only transmission available on the 1954 Corvette, according to Corvsport, was the two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. From the pictures, it’s hard to tell exactly what’s going on with the shifter.
Perhaps the most remarkable part of this gorgeous classic is that the engine runs. The seller states that the engine sounds good and runs strong. Furthermore, and somewhat shockingly, this car has a current 2022 California registration. Unfortunately, though, it likely doesn’t get driven. Instead, the registration has likely been kept up to date to avoid back taxes and fees upon ownership transfer. Still, something about seeing a weather-worn classic Corvette with current tags warms our hearts.
As expected, the interior shows its age, too. However, the red vinyl seats actually look relatively free of tears. That’s pretty impressive, considering its 68-year-old material.
Additionally, the steering wheel, gauges, and dashboard look to be in pretty good shape, save for some aging. Overall this is a perfect contender for a restoration.
Perhaps the most surprising detail of this sale is the fact that it comes with the original factory hardtop. Finding a C1 with the original hardtop is like finding a needle in a haystack. However, combining that with its originality and the fact that it runs makes this rough-looking Corvette a diamond indeed. According to Corvsport, only 3,640 1954 Corvettes ever existed. So, the chances of finding another one that combines affordability and very salvageable condition like this one are very slim!
We’re definitely throwing this old beauty on our watch list! We can’t wait to see what it sells for. Hopefully, its new owner gets it all shiny and new and takes it for a drive!
Photos: eBay
