SOLD for $370,000 // 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster // Mecum Harrisburg 2022 скачать в хорошем качестве

SOLD for $370,000 // 1953 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster // Mecum Harrisburg 2022

https://www.mecum.com/lots/PA0722-530... The early 1950s saw Chevrolet in a bit of a sales slump, and Chevrolet Brand Manager Thomas Keating was dedicated to changing that trajectory. One of the more exciting offerings coming down the line was Project Opel, an open-top, two-seater sports car concept that would make its debut at the January 1953 Motorama in New York City. Project Opel was meant to offer an American alternative to European sports cars such as Jaguar, MG and Aston Martin. The car featured an exotic, lightweight body crafted of fiberglass, but under the skin, it was assembled using a host of standard, off-the-shelf components ranging from the inline 6-cylinder engine to the brakes and steering, and much more, making it relatively efficient to build. It was a sports car in every regard, with no exterior door handles, seating for two, a short wheelbase and body, attachable side curtains and a suspension for spirited handling. Myron Scott, assistant director of the public relations department, is said to have been the first person to suggest naming the car after the corvette warship. It was a great idea, as corvettes were known as being the smallest class of a “rated” warship, they were nimble, quick and maneuverable. Interestingly, the word is derived from the French language, but it’s a spinoff from the Dutch word corf, meaning basket, or Latin, corbis, meaning the same. It’s said the brass loved the name and it stuck. At the Motorama, the press and public responded very positively, and this caused Chevrolet to push the car into production much sooner than originally anticipated, commencing on June 30, 1953. For many reasons, only 300 were produced that first year, making it one of the rarest Corvettes ever built. Each was finished in Polo White with a red interior. This one is No. 202, and it was hand built on November 9, 1953 in Flint, Michigan. Irvin Patrick of Paintsville, Kentucky, finished a comprehensive restoration in August 2021 utilizing mostly original parts. Since then, the first-year Corvette has traveled fewer than 6 miles. The car is correctly finished in Polo White and has a black convertible top with a red interior. The Corvette is motivated by a 235 CI Blue Flame inline 6-cylinder engine with triple carburetion and a Powerglide automatic transmission. The interior features bucket seats, an AM radio, heater, tachometer and an in-dash clock. Complete with the chrome-surrounded glass side curtains, the car rolls on wide whitewall tires.