One of the most well-liked sports vehicles available is the Chevrolet Corvette, which has sold more than 250,000 copies in the last ten years. However, it wasn’t always the case. Sales were so bad in its early years that Chevrolet momentarily contemplated dropping the moniker.
In 1953, the American sports car market was still in its infancy when the Corvette made its debut. Just 300 vehicles had been produced by the end of 1953, with first-year production starting in late June. Although production increased to 3,640 examples in 1954, sales fell well short of GM’s forecast of around 10,000 units annually. According to prospective customers, the body’s propensity to leak during downpours and the Blue Flame inline-six’s poor performance were to blame.
Chevrolet was almost ready to axe the Corvette, when Zora Arkus-Duntov stepped in and added a V8 engine and a three-speed manual transmission to the lineup in 1955. Even though sales dropped to 700 units that year, the move saved the nameplate, and the Corvette went on to become one of America’s most legendary.
Come 2022, and these low-production years are among the most sought-after. First-year Corvettes fetch six-figure sums at public auctions, while 1955 examples are just as valuable when fitted with V8 engines. Add in a numbers-matching drivetrain, a comprehensive restoration, and a wild color, and you get a fabulous classic that will turn heads no matter the event. The Harvest Gold example you see here is one of those cars.
And this color makes it quite special because only 120 units were finished in this lovely hue that year. Granted, it’s not the rarest 1955 ‘Vette you can buy today, but it’s a museum-grade restoration that still has its numbers-matching V8 and Powerglide gearbox, and a long list of factory-correct components.
Furthermore, in August 2017, this Corvette, driven by former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, became the first vehicle to cross the newly constructed Mario Cuomo Bridge. The odometer shows that it has only been driven 166 miles (267 km) since the restoration was finished, thus not very far at all.
Redesigned by Long Island, New York-based Vette Dreams, the Corvette has a two-tone interior with green and yellow accents and a soft top that is the same color as when it was taken off the manufacturing line. In my opinion, this color combination is ideal for the 1955 Corvette. Yes, with the red and white upholstery, it’s even better than Roman Red.