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In 1955 Chevrolet introduced the small-block V8. The overhead valve V8 was an evolution of several other GM products, such as the Oldsmobile unit first introduced in 1949. Cadillac unveiled its version in 1950 and Buick in 1953. Pontiac and Chevrolet followed in 1955. Each of these engines were distinctly different; Chevrolet's used the lessons learned from the other divisions to increase the level of design, performance, efficiency, and mass production of their V-8 engine. It was designed under the guidance of Ed Cole, Chevrolet's chief engineer and an individual who had aided in the development of Cadillac's flathead and overhead valve V-8s.
The Chevrolet engine had stamped steel rocker arms on stud-mounted ball pivots. It was lightweight, powerful and robust. It displaced 265 cubic inches, had overhead valves, and produced nearly 200 horsepower. It had fewer cubic inches than Ford's engine, yet it produced 40 more horsepower, weighed 41 pounds less, and had better fuel economy.
Only 700 Corvettes were produced at the St. Louis plant in 1955, as there were around 1,100 examples of the 1954 Corvette still on showroom floors. This example is one of only 45 Corvettes believed to have been delivered in this Pennant Blue color combination in 1955. It has been treated to a restoration and well preserved since that time. It is fitted with the Powerglide automatic transmission, Wonderbar radio, and side windows with bags.
In 2008, the car was brought to the Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by the Worldwide Auctioneers. It was estimated to sell for $210,000 - $240,000. Bidding failed to reach those estimates and the lot was left unsold.
The Chevrolet engine had stamped steel rocker arms on stud-mounted ball pivots. It was lightweight, powerful and robust. It displaced 265 cubic inches, had overhead valves, and produced nearly 200 horsepower. It had fewer cubic inches than Ford's engine, yet it produced 40 more horsepower, weighed 41 pounds less, and had better fuel economy.
Only 700 Corvettes were produced at the St. Louis plant in 1955, as there were around 1,100 examples of the 1954 Corvette still on showroom floors. This example is one of only 45 Corvettes believed to have been delivered in this Pennant Blue color combination in 1955. It has been treated to a restoration and well preserved since that time. It is fitted with the Powerglide automatic transmission, Wonderbar radio, and side windows with bags.
In 2008, the car was brought to the Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by the Worldwide Auctioneers. It was estimated to sell for $210,000 - $240,000. Bidding failed to reach those estimates and the lot was left unsold.
2012 Barrett-Jackson at Scottsdale, Arizona
Sale Price :
USD $165,000
2008 Hilton Head Sports & Classic Car Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $210,000-USD $240,000
Lot was not sold
1955 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Chevrolet Corvette C1
(Data based on Model Year 1955 sales)
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Chassis#: ve55s001480 Sold for USD$181,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Sold for USD$103,600 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Chassis#: ve55s001602 Sold for USD$79,200 2023 Mecum : Houston | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Chassis#: v0611sna Sold for USD$187,000 2023 Mecum : Houston | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Sold for USD$66,000 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Sold for USD$80,300 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: VE55S001134 Sold for USD$77,000 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Houston | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Chassis#: VE55S001234 Sold for USD$59,400 2022 RM Sothebys : The Hershey Auction | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Chassis#: VE55S001564 Sold for USD$118,250 2022 RM Sothebys : Gene Ponder Collection | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Pilot Car Chassis#: E55S001007 Sold for USD$190,400 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Chassis#: VE55S001214 Sold for USD$143,000 2022 Mecum : Monterey | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Sold for USD$59,400 2022 Mecum : Houston | |
1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: VE55S001372 Sold for USD$93,500 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Sold for USD$88,000 2021 Mecum : Chicago | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Chassis#: VE55S001214 Sold for USD$143,000 2021 Mecum : Monterey | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Sold for USD$88,000 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | |
1955 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: VE55S001372 Sold for USD$84,700 2021 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Chassis#: VE55S001072 Sold for USD$115,500 2021 Mecum : Rick Treworgys Muscle Car City 2021 | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Sold for USD$170,500 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Sold for USD$137,500 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee |
Chevrolet Corvette C1s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1955 Chevrolet Corvette C1's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | ve55s001043 | 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023 | $100,000 | ||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | ve55s001043 | 2023 Mecum : Indy | $120,000 | ||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2023 Mecum : Glendale | $90,000 | $120,000 | $140,000 | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | $135,000 | $170,000 | $190,000 | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2022 Mecum : Dallas | $90,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2022 Mecum : Dallas | $70,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2022 Mecum Indy | $155,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2022 Mecum : Glendale | $90,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2021 Mecum : Kansas City | $80,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | $85,000 | $150,000 | $170,000 | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | $85,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette | VE55S001106 | 2021 RM Sothebys : Open Roads February | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette | VE55S001638 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | $150,000 | $200,000 | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2020 Mecum : Indy | $100,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2020 Mecum : Indy | $90,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2020 Mecum : Indy | $500,000 | $750,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | VE55S001104 | 2019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Riyadh Auction | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | $82,000 | $100,000 | $120,000 | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible | 2019 Russo & Steele : Scottsdale | ||||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette | 2017 Carlisle Auctions : Fall Carlisle | ||||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette | 2017 Russo & Steele : Newport Beach | ||||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2016 Auctions America : Santa Monica | $117,500 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2015 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $72,500 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2015 Mecum : Kissimmee | $225,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2015 Mecum : Kissimmee | $130,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | VE55S001500 | 2014 Mecum : Anaheim | $87,500 | ||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster 265/195 HP, Automatic | 2013 Mecum Dan Mecum's 26th Spring Classic | $80,000 | $90,000 | $110,000 | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster 265/195 HP, Automatic | 2013 Mecum Dan Mecum's 26th Spring Classic | $80,000 | $90,000 | $110,000 | |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Resto Mod LS1, Automatic | 2013 Mecum Dan Mecum's 26th Spring Classic | $65,000 | |||
1955 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster | 2013 Mecum : Indianapolis | $80,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $119,733 range.
1995 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupé by RWB Chassis#:WP0AA2994SS323103 Sold for $120,750 2024 RM Sothebys : Dubai | |
1973 PORSCHE 911 2.4 T Chassis#:9113101534 Sold for $120,400 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours | |
1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL avec Hard-top Chassis#:113044-10-000007 Sold for $120,848 2024 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1946 Delahaye 135 M Coupé Coachwork by Coachwork by Van Leersum Chassis#:800311 Sold for $118,702 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Limousine Coachwork by Windovers Chassis#:28 LK Sold for $118,702 2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris | |
1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8-Litre Roadster Chassis#:875498 Sold for $118,720 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
2022 FORD SHELBY GT500 HERITAGE EDITION Chassis#:1FA6P8SJ9N5503763 Sold for $118,800 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1970 Shelby GT500 Fastback Chassis#:0f02r482910 Sold for $118,800 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1972 Maserati Bora 4.7 Chassis#:AM117/270 Sold for $118,757 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1901 Gasmobile 9hp Three-Cylinder Stanhope Chassis#:155 Sold for $119,522 2023 Bonhams : The Golden Age of Motoring Sale | |
1974 BMW 2002 Turbo Chassis#:4290157 Sold for $119,121 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1966 Maserati Mistral 4000 Coupe Coachwork by Frua Chassis#:AM109A1842 Sold for $120,400 2023 Bonhams : Audrain Concours Auction | |
2023 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT HELLCAT JAILBREAK WIDEBODY LAST CAL Chassis#:2C3CDZL9XPH502394 Sold for $118,800 2023 Barrett-Jackson : New Orleans | |
2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Chassis#:SCA1S68538UX08708 Sold for $120,400 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Enthusiast Auction | |
1951 Fiat 500C Topolino Ex-Mille Miglia 1952 et Giro di Sicilia 1952 Chassis#:309463 Sold for $120,053 2023 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
2011 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti F1 ' One to One ' Chassis#:ZFFJY54B000172726 Sold for $118,763 2023 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1984 Renault 5 Turbo 2 Chassis#:VF1822000E0000867 Sold for $119,268 2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
1975 Porsche 930 Turbo 3.0 Sunroof Coupé Chassis#:930 570 0091 Sold for $119,268 2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
1988 Ferrari 328 GTS Chassis#:ZFFWA20B000077449 Sold for $119,279 2023 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1954 Jaguar XK 120 SE Roadster Chassis#:S674747 Sold for $120,400 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona |
1955 Chevrolet Corvette C1
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