53 and a half
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Saint Paul MN
53 and a half
My wife inherited a '54 Corvette. She (and my mother-in-law) refers to it as a "53 and a half." That is what my late father-in-law called it. Have any of you heard of this expression, or do you think he just used it to let people know it was an early '54? Other than the VIN#, all indications (2 hood release *****, black rag top, taillight covers say '53) from what I've read on the web are that it bears closer resemblance to a '53 than a '54 so I'm wondering if there is some sort of story behind calling it a "'53 and a half" that Corvette historians may be aware of. VIN is E54S001034
I'm just a novice to Corvettes and cars in general so I'm sure I will have plenty of questions for this forum in the future. This past weekend, with a little bit of work, we were able to get the car running and drove it a little bit for the first time in 8 years, since my father-in-law got ill. It still needs some work, but I'm ready to take on the challenge.
Here's a photo of my wife behind the wheel:
I'm just a novice to Corvettes and cars in general so I'm sure I will have plenty of questions for this forum in the future. This past weekend, with a little bit of work, we were able to get the car running and drove it a little bit for the first time in 8 years, since my father-in-law got ill. It still needs some work, but I'm ready to take on the challenge.
Here's a photo of my wife behind the wheel:
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 210
From: Nevada City Ca.
2015 C1 of Year
That early a 54 will have all the body careerists of a 53 , body glass hand lay and all , it would be a 53 left over and used in early 54, May be the reason he called it a haft 54 by not being a true later 54 body press mould body ??I've had many 54's in the late 60's and never paid over $300.00 each for them. But I settled on the 55's which I now have.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 1
From: Sarasota FL
Years ago I looked at another early 54, #1101 (at that time and through 1956 Corvette serial numbers started with 1001 so this was the 101st 54 Corvette made) and it also had the same characteristics as yours.
My understanding is that the changeover to 54 "normal" line items happened after the inventory of existing 53 items were used up.
My understanding is that the changeover to 54 "normal" line items happened after the inventory of existing 53 items were used up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,404
Likes: 45
From: Arlington Tx
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by Tom/99
Nice car, a little Westleys Bleach White would do wonders for the dingy white wall tires.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Saint Paul MN
Thanks for all your comments. You've pretty much confirmed what I suspected.
Thanks for the tips on the whitewalls, too. As I said, that picture was taken the first time the car had been out of the garage in 8 years, so there is plenty of work that needs to be done, cosmetic and otherwise.
While we're on the subject of cleaning, what do you recommend for cleaning chrome?
Also, there is some surface rust on the engine. Any suggestions on how to clean that up?
Thanks for the tips on the whitewalls, too. As I said, that picture was taken the first time the car had been out of the garage in 8 years, so there is plenty of work that needs to be done, cosmetic and otherwise.
While we're on the subject of cleaning, what do you recommend for cleaning chrome?
Also, there is some surface rust on the engine. Any suggestions on how to clean that up?
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8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8
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From: Franklin TN
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