gilbybarr

Thought I would pass on word on a '55 that a gentleman from here in East Tenn is going to sell at the Barrett-Jackson auction this weekend...I believe it is to go onto the block on Saturday. Its a frame off restored very sharp six cylinder though...not a V8. Original motor. I never knew that they actually did still make some six bangers into the '55 model year until I heard about this car. Its red. Gentleman has had it for years. He trailered it out there with one of our club members. Should be quite a time. If I am not mistaken, SpeedVision will be broadcasting the auction as well. I saw the car described on the Barrett-Jackson web site as well.


[Modified by gilbybarr, 8:38 PM 1/19/2003]

Cruzmeisters

Try: http://www.barrett-jackson.com/
:steering: Cruz :steering:


[Modified by Cruzmeisters, 11:30 PM 1/15/2003]


[Modified by Cruzmeisters, 11:31 PM 1/15/2003]

DZAUTO

Yes, 6cyl '55s WERE available (actually 6 and V-8 were available). There are documented 55 6cyl cars, but it is believed that only about six 6cyl '55 Corvettes were built. In 55, the 6cyl cars had 6volt elec systems, while the V-8 cars got 12volts. The cars with 6volts were more or less the same as the 54 cars.
And, while we are on the subject, a 3sp tranny was also available in '55, but it is believed that only about 75 '55 V-8 cars were built with a 3sp. These are also quite rare. Noland Adams Vol 1 book is one of the better sources on this.

Mel Foye

Please post last three numbers if you hear. Have heard of a 310 or 312? and good friend had 552. Only six of them.

JoesC5

Years ago I read that 3640 1954 Corvettes were built but only 2680 were sold, leaving 960. I can't believe that Chevrolet scrapped those cars. Does anyone know what happen to them? Did they really make the 700 1955 Vettes or did they run them back through the plant and change them to 55's with new serial numbers.

Cruzmeisters

I've ALWAYS wondered :confused: likewise ;)
:steering: Cruz :steering:

JohnZ

Only 2680 were sold "during that model year" (the way the sales guys report their numbers); the other 960 were sold after the end of that model year - some sat for quite a while on dealer lots, but they were all sold eventually :thumbs:

Mel Foye

A little foggy John but didn't they hold up production and release of the 55s for a long time till all or most of the 54s were sold? Thinking maybe 5 to 8 months after release of the 55 Chevrolet.

JohnZ

Nope - '55 Corvette production started on January 11th, ran through December 20th (ran a full model year).
:cheers:

JoesC5

I'm surprised that they didn't slap a special paint color on them and some special badges and call them a "Second Anniversary" model and raise the price.

DZAUTO

Mel,
In a way, you are sort of correct. The 55 production was greatly cut back specifically because of the very slow sales of the 54s. But as John said, they did run a full production year. The 56 production started in Jan 56, but ended in Sep, just as it did with the other car models. Then in Sep 56, the 57 Corvette production fell in line with other car model production---Sep to Sep. It is generally believed, and accepted, that Zora is directly responsible for saving the Corvette from oblivion------------------and, for the most part there is a lot of truth/fact to that. But he was not 100% responsible. A number of other things just fell into place at the right time. He just did a much better job of greasing the skids than others.
NOW, I'M GOING TO EXPRESS A VERY BIASED OPINION---------------SOME OF YOU WON'T LIKE IT! If it were NOT for the improved success of the 56 Corvette, and increasing successes of the 57-62 Corvettes-------------THERE WOULD NOT BE A CORVETTE TODAY! PERIOD! There are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too many people today-------------and many of them are owners of later model Corvettes, who do NOT like to acknowledge or recognize the existance of a Corvette prior to 1963 models. If you own a 63-later Corvette, you generally deny this. But if you are an owner and lover of 53-62 Corvettes, this is somewhat more noticeable. Why, I don't understand!

JohnZ

'Cuz most of them weren't even born in 1963 - what do those young whippersnappers know anyway? :lolg:

DZVette

Heck, I'd like to own any model year before 1963! Could get crazy some day! My "better half" likes those "solid axles". Me too!
DZ
65 cpe

SebringBill

Tom, My first Corvette was a 58. A longtime friend had (still has) a 67 BB coupe and a 72 BB coupe. One day he was razzin me about my car's lack of independent rear suspension and general lack of sophistication. My reply?

"If GM didn't build my Corvette they would've never built yours!"

Shut him right up. :jester

gilbybarr

WOW....it went for $73,400!!!! :smash:

DZAUTO

GOSH! AMAZING! How many 63-later Vettes bring that kind of money? There must be SOMETHING about these early Vettes that is desireable!