1953 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Roadster Vehicle Profile

The result of the 30-month collaboration of Harley Earl's Art & Colour Studio and Chevrolet Division Engineering was the Corvette, a radical departure from conventional design, a two-place roadster with a Fiberglas body. Production began the following June.

Only 315 were produced that first model year, all powered by Chevy's inline six-cylinder engine rated at 150 horsepower with triple sidedraft carburetors. This particular Corvette was among those built and was kept within Chevrolet only to re-emerge during late 1955 to be prepared for NASCAR sanctioned speed trials for Speed Week, held in February, 1956 at Daytona Beach.

Corvette owners could test their own cars and join the 100-mph Club if successful. This Corvette and a 1956 model were prepared by Chevrolet's Experimental Shop directed by Zora Arkus-Duntov whose high-performance 'Duntov Cam' in current V8 engines fitted dual four -barrel carburetors produced an estimated 240 horsepower.

With three-speed transmissions, heavy-duty suspension and rear end components, along with aerodynamic aids, this 1953 model was the earliest model Corvette campaigned in NASCAR competition. These Corvettes helped launch Chevrolet's new V8, and were raced out of 'Smokey' Yunick's 'Best Damn Garage In Town' with three-time Indy 500 winner Mauri Rose as Chevrolet's man in the field. The later body style was ninth overall in the 1956 Sebring 12-Hour, driven by John Fitch and Walt Hansgen that won Class B.

One of two Corvettes, a 1953 and a 1955, that were reclaimed from the depths of Chevrolet Engineering to be equipped with dual four high output 1956 engines, 3-speed close ratio transmissions, heavy duty stock car racing rear end assemblies (3.27 gear ratio), plastic tonneau covers, small racing windshields and relocated gauges per Mauri Rose.

Work was done by Chevrolet Experimental Shop and Garage subject title: 'Rebuilding of NASCAR/Daytona beach in late December 1955 or early January 1956 in time for the Flying Mile competition and promotional photos with Bill France driving this car, number 211.

This Chevrolet Engineering effort involved Briggs Cunningham, John Fitch, Z.A. Duntov, Ed Cole and over 125 engineers and several 1953 to 1955 Corvettes that culminated with a win at Sebring in 1956 with John Fitch driving a 1955 Chevrolet Engineering Corvette with VIN #1194, which spared the Corvette from extinction.