keeks2915

After serious sleuthing and patience I was finallly able to get in a barn today with the aging owner whose kids have no interest. It wasn't advertised for sale and I simply cold visited him as a corvette guy to see if he would let me look at it.

I mentioned my family history with the corvette hall of fame to help open the door for discussion and the background on the vettes I currently own.

Great guy.

First of all I want to be fair to him as I don't know that he know what he has.

i just need advice on a couple things I would like to handle via PM.

I always keep my cars and don't do the flipping thing.

The car is all there and together and rolling but hasn't been started in over a decade. It has had a frame off in the past and frame and suspension is clean. He believes it is numbers matching. And the engine bay and interior appear very complete. The paint is horrendous and is flaking off but the panels aren't cracked beyond the crappy paint.

I heard about this car from an old guy in the area. He claimed it was a 53 that had new body put in it decades ago because the original was screwed up in a walnut blasting effort.

I gave it a very superficial look to see general completeness but I need to speak to those smarter than me on confirming chassis numbers/ (if any) body number and serial number location on the blue flame.

keeks2915

Chuck Gongloff

VIN # screwed into the driver's door jamb would be

E53F... for a 53

E54S... for a 54

53's were made in Flint, MI, 54's were made in St. Louis.

ptjsk

Sorry, I don't have the expertise to offer something on a '53, but I am going to follow the post simply because it's interesting.

Good luck on the car!

Pat

Mark_Milner

A lot depends on the BODY off restoration and when it was done. The time period done has a lot to do with accuracy.

Paint cracking sounds like it was a very long time ago.

Pictures are definitely needed.

desertpilgrim

Check for a "lip" on the rear fender; '53s had a lip, '54s were solid & thick.

keeks2915

Quick update... raced back with my mechanic son after speaking on the phone to Mike Terry... huge help as you guys have been.
Got a ton of photos and details... will post them here after I hear Mike's thoughts...
Some things not on car but where there... side curtains, convertible frame no cloth, side emblems, ignition shielding.
More info posted here shortly, dust, cobwebs etc... it is a 54
But Engine is correct based the numbers I could identify.

keeks2915

61 Roadster

Very exciting prospect; best of luck!

keeks2915

keeks2915

LouieM

Wow, that's as nice as a "barn find" gets!

keeks2915

Block is 3835911
Block stamp had f54yg near the distributor
The vin on door jamb seems late for it to have bullet air filters???

keeks2915

Based on license sticker it hasn't been on the road since 94. Dust, cobwebs and mouse **** are a nice addition. Engine turns over but didn't try to start it. Rolled out of garage so brakes arent seized up..

Not sure where values are on these. I know parts are scarce and expensive and 54s aren't he value of 53 / 55 obviously, just hate to see these things rot but not if I'm going to be upside down on it.

Wouldn't do NCRS resto but high end driver. I have free labor with my licensed tech son.. so if numbers make sense..

Thanks for all the input.

ptjsk

Keeks2915,

I know you're not supposed to find somebody, or a location by looking at license plates.

But....stranger things have happened.

Maybe I'm a bit too paranoid, but I would edit those pictures and get the license plates off the internet.

I can almost guarantee that there would be somebody who would try to purchase that out from under you!

If the price is reasonable, you better pick it up quickly.

Looks like it would be a great project!

Pat

keeks2915

Good point.... after consulting with Mike Terry I pulled the trigger.....

ptjsk

That's great!! Good for you!

Again, that should be a great project for you to enjoy.

Looking forward to viewing your progress on this.

I also, picked up an old Corvette ('63), a few weeks ago. Funny thing is the last time it was registered was in '94 as well.

Unfortunately, this one didn't age as well as it looks like yours has, but it's still very restorable!

Pat

Randy G.

I only see four things wrong with it. Wrong dip stick, wrong gas cap, the needle fell off the tach, and I didn't find it first. Congrats!

MaineDoc

It must have been on the line at the same time as my old 54 which was #2738, just four cars later.

Revfan

Congratulations!

Keep us posted on your progress.... TAKE LOTS OF PICS!