mkh

Lets try this again. Well I finally know what it is like to actually find a car in a barn. I was reading the morning paper July 3rd and noticed a small ad with the word corvette in it. As I began to read the ad it was an estate sale and it started that friday and ran through sunday. It stated there was a 1954 corvette for sale among other cars and shop tools, motors, trans etc. Now I live in a small town in Mississippi but the cars were in a even smaller town not even an hour away. I decided to go take a look not really expecting to see a 1954 corvette. When I drove up there it sat in the barn as it had for the past 30 years. As I looked at the car the owner walked up and asked if I was interested and I said maybe. He then said if I would purchase this car he would through in another car for free. A 2 for 1 deal. I asked what type of car was the second one and he said a corvette. I asked him what model and he said it was also a 1954. Needless to say I was almost speechless. We walked around behind the barn/shop and there it sat in 2 pieces. The bady had been removed from the frame and had been sitting out for 15 years as close as they could remember. The frame had been restored about 10 years ago and both were covered with tarps. I could hardly contain myself but made what I thought was a resonable offer and after speaking with the family we made the deal. The good car Iwas told had been cranked over the years and It cranked that day although it did not run very well. The story was the owner would not drive the car or let anyone look at it. He just kept it sealed in the barn for all these years. The rats made there home in the seats and even ate some of the fiberglass on the side of the seats. They for some reason did not eat any of the wiring. The car looks to have never been wrecked at least nothing major. It has what looks like one repaint in gold. It shows 96,000 miles and even has a hardtop. The paint is in terrible condition and basically the entire car needs restoring. The good thing is every thing seems to be there and pretty solid. The frame does have some rust in the rear crossmember but thst sems to be expected from what i can read about these cars. I have owned corvettes my entire life an presently own a very nice 65 survivor with original paint and 44,000 miles. I never thought I would be able to own a 1954. I have decided to sell the parts car on E-Bay in pieces. The body and frame will soon be sold also. If i can get within a reasonable number of what I have invested I will try to restore the car and keep it. If the parts dont bring enough I will reluctantly sell it. I should know if I am going to keep it within the next month. Sorry so long I am just very excited. Here are a few picks of both cars. The good car even has the original jack and 4 very very nice hubcaps.

cv67

God, I loooove those cars.
Keep it if you can and bring it back to life. Look at those lines...

K2

That is one amazing story!!! Congratulations for spotting the ad and following up. Looks like a very nice project.

snydes

Wow!! Great find!

65convt

GREAT BARN FIND!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I were you, I'd be walking around with an ear to ear grin.
I browse the papers all the time Hoping, but not really expecting to find what you just found(A Diamond in the rough).
It would be Great to see you bring it back to life.
Keep us posted!
Rick

1954corvair

Great find, if you want to get rid of the frame and second body, I would be very interested in it, I need a body like that to make a car I am currently building. PM me if you get a chance. Nice cars!

Bluestripe67

Reading about "barn finds" is just great reading, be it a long or short story. Congratulations on the find, enjoy it the best you can. Dennis

VetteRed1965

Congrats on the barn find.I found a 1970 wildcat with a 455 370hp car three years ago.The original owner said i will take...Anyway looking thru his logs to day one.Being a retired Lockheed engineer he chanded the oil every 1000 miles or six months.With only 47000 miles six months always came first.He bumped the key and it started.It sounded like a sewing machine with a silencer on it.Original everything,little rubbing on the original paint.A little care to the top and wow.It was a Sunday driver...

They still do exist !

Dan Hampton

I didn't think those stories existed any longer. Way to go. You should have some fun with this project. See what info you can get on the hard top. Those are pretty rare.

DH

LT1 Hunter

I'd take the parts car-where are you located? and price?

54greg

Boy does that bring back memories. My 54 was in the same shape as your "bad" car 10 years ago. They can all be brought back to life its just how much time/money are you willing to part with

vettefred

Good Job scouting that one out! Hope you keep it and restore to original.

MasterDave

Sweet find! I need the radio/speaker assembly for my 54 barn find. Verrry cool.