1953 CORVETTE

Each 1953 Corvette was virtually hand-built and a lot of minor changes were made during the production run.

The new 1953 Corvette had

• a fiberglass body
• chrome-framed grille with 13 heavy vertical chrome bars
• rounded front fenders with recessed headlights with wire screen covers
• no side windows or outside door handles
• a wraparound windshield
• protruding, fender-integrated taillights.

The interior featured

• a floor-mounted shifter for the Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission
• oil pressure gauge
• battery gauge
• water temperature gauge
• fuel gauge
• tachometer
• clock

All of the first-year cars were Polo White with Sportsman Red interiors.

All had black canvas convertible tops which manually folded into a storage space behind the seats.

Other 1953-only features included

• special valve covers
• a one-piece carburetor linkage
• a small trunk mat

Short exhaust extensions were used on all '53s (and early '54s) because they were prone to drawing exhaust fumes into the car through the vent windows.

A black oilcloth window storage bag was provided to protect the 1953 Corvette's removable plastic side windows when stowed in the trunk.

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• Corvette used the standard 10 symbol Chevrolet Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) coding system.
• The I.D. tag was located on the left-hand front door hinge pillar.
  • E = Corvette model
  • 53 = 1953
  • F = Flint, Michigan assembly plant
  • the last six numbers were the sequential production number
  • They numbered from E53F001001 to E53F001300.
• The engine number was found on the right-hand side of the crankcase behind the distributor.
• The engine numbers for 1953 used the prefix "LAY".
• Since the Corvette bodies were virtually handmade, they did not carry standard Fisher Body Style Numbers as did other GM cars.
• The Corvette model number consisted of the four digits 2934, which also served as the body style number for the early production years.

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
2934	2934	2-dr. Roadster 2 passenger	$2774	2705 lb	300

ENGINE

Engine type	six-cylinder, inline, overhead valve unit
Block	cast iron block.
Displacement	235.5 cid (3.9 liters)
Bore & Stroke	3.56 in. (90mm) x 3.93 in. (100mm)
Compression	8.0:1.
Power	150 brake hp @ 4200 rpm.
Ignition	single breaker point.
Carburetor	Three Carter Type YH one-barrel Model 2066S on the early models and Model 2055S on later models.

CHASSIS

Wheelbase	102 inches (2.591 m)
Overall length	167 inches (4.242 m)
Front tread	57 inches (1.448 m)
Rear tread	58.8 inches (1.494 m)
Wheels	steel disk
Tires	6.70x15
Front suspension	coil springs with tubular shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Rear suspension	Leaf springs, tube shocks and solid rear axle
Brakes	Drum on all four wheels
Axle ratio	3.55:1

OPTIONS

• Signal-seeking AM radio ($145.15)
• Heater ($91.40)
• White sidewall tires

HISTORICAL NOTES