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Sports1953 Chevrolet Corvette: The First-Year Story
Fiberglass, six cylinders and a bold bet.
The first Corvette appeared in 1953 and looked like nothing else on American roads. Its body was fiberglass, its only color was Polo White, and only about 300 were built by hand in Flint, Michigan, making it one of the most important cars in this story.
1953 Corvette engine and specs
Under the hood sat a 235 cubic inch inline-six with three carburetors, rated at 150 horsepower, paired with a two-speed Powerglide automatic. It was stylish rather than fast, and it used side curtains instead of roll-up windows. Early reviews praised the looks more than the driving.
How the V8 saved the Corvette
Sales were slow at first, and GM seriously considered ending the model. A V8 arrived for 1955 and transformed the car's reputation. Looking back, the 1953 original is valued less for speed than for beginning a nameplate that still exists.
1953 Chevrolet Corvette key facts
- Model year
- 1953
- Body
- Fiberglass
- Color
- Polo White only