Old Cars and more

1954 Chevrolet Corvette$69,995

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Price: $69,995
Contact: View Original Ad from Hemmings
Location: Lithia Springs, GA
Price Analysis: Good Deal, 21.0% below market avg. What's this?
Now before all the purists get upset that someone modified a somewhat rare 1954 Corvetteand#44; take a closer look. This one was skillfully built from the ground up as a tribute to Zora Arkus-Duntovs V8 test muleand#44; the car that virtually guaranteed the Corvettes future. The fact that it also pares the early Corvette shape down to its bare essence only helps in the looks department and with modern tech under the skinand#44; it remains highly usable every day.<br /> <br /> Everything on this car is newly restored within the last year and the custom body modifications closely mirror those used by Duntov to create a legitimate 150 MPH Corvette. The early Corvettes softand#44; doughy look is goneand#44; replaced by a cleanand#44; pared-down racer look thats quite possibly the most attractive C1 ever built. No wasted piecesand#44; no extraneous chromeand#44; just straight fiberglass and that beautiful Corvette shape that simply speaks for itself. Build quality is very goodand#44; and the builder skillfully kept the test mule vibe intactand#44; with some extra details beautifully done. Note the Lexan windshield that is similar to the one the mule wore most often during development workand#44; the single chrome rear-view mirrorand#44; andand#44; of courseand#44; the traditional toothy Corvette grille. The paint has a bit more pearl in it than the original Polo Whiteand#44; which gives it an updated look. Bottom lineand#44; when you show up in this carand#44; youre guaranteed a lot of attention.<br /> <br /> The interior skillfully blends the modern with the vintageand#44; starting with the beautifully tailored bucket seatsand#44; which are more like racing shells than the Corvettes original chairs. The speedometer has been relocated to the center of the dashand#44; which is where all the auxiliary gauges lived on the original Corvetteand#44; and theyre Equus instruments that do a far better job of monitoring the engines status. A modern tilt column and billet wheel make it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel and we especially like the custom-made door panels that eschew comfort in favor of functionality. Yesand#44; its probably a lot nicer than the test muleand#44; but given unlimited time and moneyand#44; dont you think Zora might have liked his to look this good? Theres no radioand#44; no heaterand#44; no extraneous gear to get in the way of going fastand#44; which is consistent with the original test muleand#44; although it does include a fully finished trunk with subtle Corvette embossing on the rear paneland#44; a nice touch.<br /> <br /> Reports varyand#44; but were pretty sure the original test mule wasnt making anywhere close to the 300 horsepower now on tap from a fuel injected 350 cubic inch LT1 V8. Its a neat fit in the engine bayand#44; and its been smoothed and cleaned up to make the engine the star. Howeverand#44; again in deference to its intended mission as a test muleand#44; it isnt over-dressedand#44; wearing simple stamped steel valve covers and cast iron exhaust manifolds. UP front theres a big aluminum radiator and electric fanand#44; so it never gets crankyand#44; and the LT1 is one of the most reliable powerplants ever devised by GMand#44; so no worries about putting this one on the road. Its backed by a 700R4 4-speed automatic and a Ford 9-inch with 3.50 gearsand#44; so its a comfortable highway cruiserand#44; which is certainly not something that could be said about the original mule. Front disc brakesand#44; rack-and-pinion steeringand#44; and those cool American Racing Salt Flat Special wheels all add up to a car with an awesome retro look and modern performance.<br /> <br /> The original was possibly the most important Corvette ever built. To live the legend without compromiseand#44; this Corvette is a winner. Call now!