Seen this 54?
06-18-2011, 11:59 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Seen this 54?
I was at the Lingenfelter Performance Engineering show today in Brighton, MI and saw this 54 prototype on display. They had a few other straight axles but this on was the most unique:
06-19-2011, 12:29 AM
#2
Safety Car
Can you pick out the silver 55 in this pic haveing white seats
And a 54 that's red and white
Last edited by 1955 copper; 06-19-2011 at 12:35 AM.
06-19-2011, 07:11 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
06-19-2011, 07:18 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
Info on the silver '54: E54S002771
The Corvette was purchased by GM employee Robert Crispel in 1954 for his owner personal use. However soon after receiving the car he started having mechanical issues. Copies of letters show that Roger wrote to Ed Cole who arranged to have the Corvette fixed.
In 1955, Robert was leading one of the design studies and for the first exercise, he offered the use of his own Corvette. Werner says the car was painted Orange and Black and that Roger thought it was hideous. The second design study was the basis of Werner's restoration. Roger mixed his own paint formula which he called Sahara Silver. The interior was redone in two-tone black and silver alligator leather and featured a black canvas top. The add-ons included the custom dash work, headlight splitters, prototype steering wheel and console storage area.
The work on the "shark-fin" headlight splitters was due to some states didn't allow obstructions of the headlamps and there were legal concerns that the 53-55 basket covers ran afoul of the laws in those states.
The Corvette was sold in the early Seventies to Bruce Fulmer who restored it back to Polo White with Red interior. Shortly after this restoration the Corvette was parked and it sat for 30 years. Werner said he knew of the car and its style history and often talked to Bruce to let him restore it. Finally, Werner knew of a buyer that was interested in the car and so Bruce sold it. The new owner is automotive collector Ken Lingenfelter who owns an estimated 150 cars. Werner finally got the car in his shop and spent 8 months restoring it, again using the documentation of the second style exercise as a guide.
SO #2536 dated 4/4/55, and #10028 dated, 2/11/56 which resulted in the new paint trim and hardware.
The Corvette was purchased by GM employee Robert Crispel in 1954 for his owner personal use. However soon after receiving the car he started having mechanical issues. Copies of letters show that Roger wrote to Ed Cole who arranged to have the Corvette fixed.
In 1955, Robert was leading one of the design studies and for the first exercise, he offered the use of his own Corvette. Werner says the car was painted Orange and Black and that Roger thought it was hideous. The second design study was the basis of Werner's restoration. Roger mixed his own paint formula which he called Sahara Silver. The interior was redone in two-tone black and silver alligator leather and featured a black canvas top. The add-ons included the custom dash work, headlight splitters, prototype steering wheel and console storage area.
The work on the "shark-fin" headlight splitters was due to some states didn't allow obstructions of the headlamps and there were legal concerns that the 53-55 basket covers ran afoul of the laws in those states.
The Corvette was sold in the early Seventies to Bruce Fulmer who restored it back to Polo White with Red interior. Shortly after this restoration the Corvette was parked and it sat for 30 years. Werner said he knew of the car and its style history and often talked to Bruce to let him restore it. Finally, Werner knew of a buyer that was interested in the car and so Bruce sold it. The new owner is automotive collector Ken Lingenfelter who owns an estimated 150 cars. Werner finally got the car in his shop and spent 8 months restoring it, again using the documentation of the second style exercise as a guide.
SO #2536 dated 4/4/55, and #10028 dated, 2/11/56 which resulted in the new paint trim and hardware.
06-19-2011, 07:22 AM
#6
Melting Slicks
06-19-2011, 03:39 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by 1955 copper;1577916430And a 54 that's red and white[/COLOR
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Ray
06-19-2011, 05:27 PM
#11
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06-19-2011, 05:30 PM
#12
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Here's that car the day it came out of 30-year storage and went to Werner's shop for restoration; it was neat pulling the cover off it after all those years. 
06-19-2011, 06:47 PM
#14
Safety Car
The dash plate or bezel or what ever you wont to call it was a common after market item used in many 53 to 57 Corvettes of it's day. 
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06-19-2011, 07:15 PM
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06-20-2011, 12:20 AM
#17
Race Director
Thread Starter
I continue to be amazed with the knowledge base here on the Forum. I am a C4 guy but love all years of Corvettes.
I'm glad I took the pics as now I know just a little more about the hobby than I did last week.
I'm glad I took the pics as now I know just a little more about the hobby than I did last week.
