With Chevrolet Corvette celebrating 70th AnniversaryJay Leno recently inspected one of the earliest production models, courtesy of Corvette owner and restorer Mike McCluskey.
This 1954 Corvette is from the second model year of the ‘Vette. However, only 300 were produced for the first model year 1953, so Leno considers 1954 the Corvette’s first full production year.
The Corvette didn’t sell well in its early years, partly because of what was under the hood. The Blue Flame inline-6 has been shared with more modest Chevrolets, and thus doesn’t excite sports car enthusiasts.
1954 Chevrolet Corvette in Jay Leno’s Garage
The Blue Flame version of Corvette at least had three single-barreled side carburetors and a solid lifting camshaft, delivering up to 155 hp. That was quite competitive with other (mostly British) small sports cars of the time, although the Corvette was heavier.
The early corvettes also had a few quirks. They don’t have exterior door handles and side glass, which means anyone can reach in and open the door. The trunk lock is also located below the rear number plate. Engineers in the 1950s weren’t too concerned with ergonomics.
McCluskey, who also restored Leno .’s 1957 corvette and work on 1963 split window, restored ’54 the way it left the factory – warts and all. For example, the car sits lower in the back, which was deliberately done by Chevy to make it look like it was taking off. For its work, the car was awarded a near-perfect 99 and won the Duntov Award, both from the National Association of Corvette Restorationists, of which McCluskey is a member.
1954 Chevrolet Corvette in Jay Leno’s Garage
Before he could think about such details, however, McCluskey had to resist decades of decline. The car has been sitting in a Corvette enthusiast’s backyard for 35 years, and needs a three-year restoration to its current condition. At least the Corvette has a fiberglass body, which can withstand the elements better than steel.
Speaking of fiberglass, the 1954 cars used a more premium material than their predecessors, McCluskey noted. The 1953 models are essentially hand-made using a fiberglass cloth that shows through the paint, while the 1954 models have a smoother finish closer to regular sheet metal.
For most of the second half of the video, Leno drives a car. You can literally hear the roar of the engine that won’t inspire any sports car enthusiast. Watch the full video for more interesting details about this meticulously restored Corvette. And if you like what you see, be aware it’s on sale.
