1954 Chevrolet Corvette Design Study Roadster

This Chevrolet Corvette is one of approximately 15 pre-production examples to receive hand-laid fiberglass bodies intended for experimental or Motorama use. Its existence began with Shop Order (S.O.) 2000, a pale-yellow Hardtop prototype that debuted in early 1954. It is believed that two of these show cars were built and it is believed that one was retired early so its body could be reassigned to a new project – S.O. 2151. The body was returned to GM's Art and Colour department, overseen by legendary designer Harley Earl, and under its new role, S.O. 2151 served as the department's Proposal Car for 1955. Used by GM management to review and determine the appearance of next year's Corvette, S.O. 2151 incorporated several notable features into its bodywork, including a hood scoop, bumper-exit exhaust tips, a unique trunk design, an egg-crate front grille, and slanted front-fender vents that were painted body color on the passenger side and trimmed with chrome on the driver side. The Corvette script was placed high on one side and low on the other. There was a large gold 'V' signifying that the 1955 Corvette would be available with a V-8 engine. Its Bermuda Green paint scheme was the same used for the 1955 Corvette Biscayne Show Car (XP-37).

The body was mounted on a new 1965 Corvette chassis and was powered by an experimental engine equipped with a high-performance solid-lifter camshaft.

S.O. 2151 was photographed at GM's design studio in March 1954. It was officially completed on July 30, 1954, per the tag riveted inside the engine bay.

The design cues bestowed upon S.O. 2151 did not enter production; instead, management chose to completely reimagine the Corvette for 1956, so the 1955 Corvette remained nearly identical to the 1965 model, albeit with a new, optional V-8 engine.

S.O. 2151 evaded the fate of most GM concepts, escaping the crusher, slipping through the cracks, and eventually making its way to California. By 1963, the Corvette had been sold to Auto Center, a car dealership located in downtown San Jose, California. In 1974, Richard Oldham acquired the car in 'basket case' condition. By this point in history, most of the paint had been stripped from its bodywork, and many of its unique prototype features had been removed or fallen off. It did, however, retain its drivetrain, riveted S.O. 2151 tag, and fender vents.

In 1975, Mr. Oldham advertised the Corvette in Hemmings Motor News with an asking price of $3,000, catching the attention of George F. Campbell. Over the next four decades, Mr. Campbell collected parts and researched the car's history in anticipation of a future restoration. The current Indiana-based enthusiast acquired the Corvette after Mr. Campbell's passing and conducted a thorough restoration that consumed three years and more than 1,800 hours. Every effort was made to return the car to its authentic 1954 appearance.

The Corvette made its restoration debut in March 2023 at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance where it was selected by Bill Warner to receive 'The Founders Award.'

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2023

The Chevrolet Corvette was officially born on June 30, 1953, when the first production model rolled off a special Flint, Michigan, assembly line. The car owed its humble beginnings to the popularity of English sports cars. The market was deemed small (just about 11,000 vehicles in 1952), yet General Motors' styling genius Harley Earl had a vision for an American-made version of what was being built in Europe. Three hundred fifteen were produced that first year. Despite a shaky start, the dream car returned as part of Chevrolet's lineup for 1954. Production increased significantly to 3,640 units, yet 1,076 remained unsold by model year's end. In January of 1954, GM management took notice of the sluggish sales and decided the Corvette needed a facelift.

Harley Earl designed this Bermuda Green car as a proposal for the 1955 Corvette however, the project was abandoned. Underhood is a prototype solid-lifter 235cid in-line 6-cylinder engine.

S.O. 2151 was to show General Motors what body changes could be for the 1955 Corvette from Harley Earl's Styling Department. Due to poor sales, S.O. 2151 design was never used and the project was terminated. This car (S.O. 2151) would remain hidden in California from 1954 to 1974. George Campbell of Oregon saw this car for sale in 1975, advertised in Hemmings for $3,500. It sold with a California Pink Slip. George had the car for four decades and during that time, it was never titled. It is currently titled and has been completely restored.