1953 Corvette - No. 135 out of 300
The following pictures and information are from the EBAY auction description that was posted for #135. The auction started: Jan-31-03 19:03:20 PST and ended on Feb-10-03 19:03:20 PST. Final bid: $98,100.00, and the reserve was not met.
Vehicle Description
The 1953 Corvette was produced in Flint, Michigan and features the lowest production ever for the Corvette. Only 300 cars were produced, and this American Classic is number 135. The car has the white exterior and red interior, as they were originally produced in 1953.
By any measure, all 1953 Corvettes fit the definition of rare! Thus, for one physician in America's heartland, finding the words to describe the car he has owned and prized for soon-to-be 50 years is difficult. A low mileage, one owner 1953 Corvette in mint condition is far more than rare!
The owner's fascination with the car began when he and his parents went to see "the cars of the future" at the General Motors Motorama at Dinner Key Auditorium south of Miami in early 1953. When told by the GM representatives that the Corvette was probably the only model there that would be built, he and his father asked their local dealer to order one of the 300 new sports cars to be built. That letter was written to his zone manager on April 2, 1953, with little hope that a small town dealer in the Midwest was going to receive one of the limited number of Corvettes being made by hand.
Surprisingly, in early November a midnight call announced the arrival of a mysterious car in a large decorated semi. The car itself was totally wrapped like a cocoon or mummy, and took most of the night to unwrap and unload.
The '53 Corvette was then -- and is now -- a special car! The new owner learned very soon how special it was when he drove from the Midwest to Miami. Each time he stopped to eat, the other patrons of the restaurant would all go out, surround the car and try to figure out how to get inside. The lack of exterior door handles stumped them all.
That was the only time the '53 Corvette has been outside the state. In early years, it was driven around town occasionally by the owner's father (when the owner was absent) to keep it tuned up. The car has always been covered and garaged, and sometimes displayed, such as when the town dealer asked to feature it with the Silver Anniversary Corvette in his showroom.
In the 70's, Joe Pike, automotive editor of the Detroit News, asked the owner to trace the serial number plate and send it to him. Pike was endeavoring to determine the number of the original 300 that still existed at that time. Without the benefit of knowing the results of Joe Pike's investigation, it is still safe to say that this is a singular, distinctive, extraordinary car -- a 1953, one owner, mint condition Corvette with 24,604 miles -- and is surely envied by Corvette lovers everywhere!
Vehicle Condition
This classic car is in showroom quality condition. It has been wonderfully maintained and is as good...if not better than when it came off the line in '53. The car still has the serial number and we have retained almost all its original parts. The car has been kept in a showroom, or garaged and covered since 1953.
Terms of Sale
Balance to be paid within 5 days of close of sale. Payment to be made by money order or cash. Buyer to pay for shipping of vehicle.
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