1954 Corvette whats wrong with this car

I want to buy this 1954 Corvette, I am going to look at it today in person, what things should I be looking for ? Thanks In advance for any help on making this decision.

 

For starters, you need to be looking for it's other two carbs! Is that the original 235?

The wheels are going to have to go, does it have the stock hubcaps? Stance looks like it has weak springs.

It looks like a great candidate for making a hot rod.

 

It needs 3 carbs.

 

Engine set-up doesn't look very original. Make sure EVERY piece of trim is there, including interior. Look for cracks and repairs in the fiberglass from underneath. Lose the wheels/tires.

 

The motor isn't right.It should have three Carter YH's not one Rochester B.

 

Sup Lars? We both post at "another" board. How's retirement treatin' ya?

 

I'm no expert on Corvettes by any means....Something about it screams "kit car".

 

These cars are famous for having the frame rot out on them.

Make sure to put it on a lift and checkout the underside.

 

should have 3 carter side drafts, that appears to have 1 rochester?

 

if there is some way to put it up on a lift to inspect the underside that will tell you a lot,you could take it to any shop or gas station and for a little$$ put it up in the air( check body mounts,bushings,rusty frame,repaired fiberglass,ect)beware of fresh undercoating (that hides a lot)

 

yeah i would be wary of that tire wheel combo....has it been upgraded to disc brakes? i would double check all of the fiberglass work too (if its obvious any has been done). i am no corvette expert but the carb set up does seem incorrect. i've also heard that sometimes wiring can be a pain since its a fiberglass car and there is no ground at the rear of the car. the tail light wiring has to run there and back to ground.

other than that from pictures it looks pretty complete on the exterior. interior looks nice too,....what engine tranny is that?

 

Not being a smartass but there are kits of those available. Can't see enough in the picture to tell one way or the other. Don't know what chassis the kits are designed for. Might be worth investigating before $ changes hands.

 

Looks like its in a museum in those pics? And a Kentucky plate too? No tail light lenses?

Check it VERY carefully, hell, have a Professional Appraisal/inspection done on it, PM Boldventure on here, he does it, and is reasonably local. Lets face it, that ain't gonna be a cheap car, so drop a few extra $$$ for the 'non rose tinted spectacles' view of the car.

 

???? fng just had to say
it

looks as tho the body has not badly rusted ..

should have chicken wire in the deck lid .. for a antenna

no top!

wrong year engine?

what type trans.....?

needs 59 caddy tail lites and red wheels and some primer ..

 

Might want to check this out or just google 1954 Corvette kit car.

http://www.lonestarclassics.com/lsc...e-star-classics-route-66-roadster-kit-car.cfm

 

It should have a stock cast iron split manifold with multiple carbs IF the engine is original...there's usually a decal on the valve cover that sez "Blue Flame" or "Blue Flame Six"...

It should have a '53/'54 type front suspension if it's original...if it's got something else, then it's been modified...

You didn't say if it's been "posed" as an original...

But to me it looks like a "kit car"......

R-

 

Missing bumper pieces , wrong steering wheel and some script trim pieces among other things . Was on eBay , no sale 2/12/09 . Look at completed sales on eBay to compare.......

 

found these pics took 15 seconds compare away

 

Check for rust in the body.

Rich

 

looks a little bent in this picture.

 

I can see real rough body/paint work from here, and I'm half a country away.

But, that may be a plus, cause the early Vette's were supposedly really poorly built.

 

Was on there twice....no sale both times, and has a "Buy it now" of almost $40k, says Numbers matching car...so wheres the rest of the carbs & the missing trim pieces?

AGAIN......GET IT CHECKED BY A PROFESSIONAL....

 

To me a numbers matching car is both lic. plates match

 

I know where a MUCH nicer '54 is going up for sale this week... ... black in color. Gorgeous car, overrestored actually, but you won't find a nicer one anywhere.

I don't see how people ever drove those things. My dad is 5'6 and makes this thing look like a go-kart. I can't even sit in it with the top up - at 5'10.

 

Yes there are some things that are not right. Carbs , wheels etc. It could be a kit car even, but who cares. If the price is right and it looks and drives good....BUY IT. I think it is cool,

 

Hahahahhahahahahaha...some guys are real comedians...hahahhahahaha...

R-

 

That is NOT an all original car. I always buy with resale in mind. Numbers matching is worthless to me but not at resale time. You mught think you'll keep it forever but some day it will be sold/traded. It does look cool but it's not a $40k car by a long shot. Lots of things already pointed out here. Be careful on this purchase.

 

If we can pick that many shortcomings out of a few photos, that means that the rest of it should be scrutinized VERY CAREFULLY by someone that knows early 'vettes before you lay any $$$$ down. If this were 25 years ago, and the owner wanted $2500 for it, it'd be a different story. A major drawback to buying any early Corvette that needs several 'vette specific parts to be right is that there aren't any "parts cars" lying around any more!

 

Looks like an expensive disaster for restoration...but if you are going to rod it, have it appraised professionally by a Corvette specialist as though for a restoration. No one is nit-pickier than Corvette restorers, and once the nits are picked and listed by a fanatic, the result will be devastating to the sale value...

 

Man way more feedback than I expected you guys rock ! Thanks So much. Will let you know what I find out when I go to look at it.