Today a 6-cylinder Corvette may seem like an anachronism, but there are more than a few enthusiasts who appreciate the purity of America's sports car with its original powerplant. Modeled after the sports cars of Europe, the 1953-54 Corvettes occupy a unique position on the brand's hierarchy and if you haven't driven one of these early 'Vettes, you're missing out on an elemental experience. The '54s in particular offer the best of both worlds, being more accessible than the ultra-rare (300 built) 1953s yet replicating the experience in all the ways that matter. For a lot of Corvette fans, their collections aren't complete without a 6-cylinder car in their garage, and if the six-figure price tags on the '53s are out of reach, then the nearly identical 1954s offer a great value and just as much fun.

This particular 1954 Corvette is one of only 100 built in Sportsman Red and is a very early production car (serial number 1200). We know it's one of the first 500 built because it has two hood latches and as far as we're able to ascertain, it carries its original engine (GM wasn't doing "numbers matching" in the traditional sense in 1954). We don't have a lot of history on this handsome red roadster, but it was part of the Charlie Thomas collection for many years, and if you're familiar with Mr. Thomas (the owner of the Houston Rockets, among other things) you know that his cars were special. There is plenty of evidence that it received a high-quality restoration, perhaps 10-15 years ago, and hasn't been used much since, now showing just over 750 miles on the odometer, which was surely reset at the time of restoration. It has been exercised enough to keep it in top health and the quality of the workmanship throughout suggests that the goal was excellence, not merely to re-create the mediocre factory standards. This car also appears to have every available option, but then again, it seems that all 1954 Corvettes came with all the options, making you wonder why Chevy even called them "optional."

As a result of this, the Sportsman Red paint is bright and vivid, showing a shine that was all but impossible in 1954 and certainly a gloss and surface finish that just wasn't available on the primitive fiberglass bodywork. Gaps are excellent, surely better than new, and there's no trace of the original bonding strips and ragged joints between body sections that were surely visible when it was new. The hood sits flush, the doors swing closed easily without a huge slam, and all the stainless brightwork lines up as it should. The guys at Bloomington Gold probably won't be happy to see just how nice it is, but if you're the kind of guy who wants a car to look good more than to look "perfectly imperfect," then this is an excellent choice. And speaking of the brightwork, details like the famous toothy grille, the wonderful mesh headlight protectors, and the simple wrap-around bumpers (which protect the bodywork with minimalist elegance) are all in excellent condition, having been restored to show standards with the rest of the car. In fact, the simplicity of the design is part of its brilliance, having only enough trim to complement the swoopy fiberglass shape but not to overpower it. And you have to admit that the taillights perched up in their own pods with two tiny winglets is the perfect expression of performance in the Jet Age. In short, they did a great job restoring this car and it remains in excellent condition with only very minor signs of age and use.

GM seems to have splurged on the Corvette's interior, as there are virtually no interchangeable parts with the rest of the Chevy lineup. The handsome red upholstery with white stitching has a jaunty almost nautical look that's quite appealing, and twin bucket seats flanking the central "waterfall" from the rear deck is a Corvette trademark that continues to this day. Obviously the upholstery is all new, including the door panels, carpets, and seat covers, and it is quite correct in appearance and execution. The twin-pod dashboard was a nod to other Chevy designs, but again, the Corvette is unique, putting a rounded speedometer in front of the driver and the auxiliary gauges arrayed across the center of the instrument panel. In true sports car fashion, there's a full complement of dials, ranging from the standard amps/temp/pressure readings to a tachometer in the center, which also includes an actual rev counter, which literally counts the number of times the engine has revolved so you can forecast maintenance needs. There's also a clock that happily ticks away as it should and a more modern AM/FM/cassette radio in the original AM radio's slot, something that I think a dedicated purist might want to replace. The shifter for the PowerGlide 2-speed automatic transmission is discreetly tucked between the driver's seat and transmission tunnel and falls to hand easily to click through the gears. And this is a true roadster, as there are no windows, although a set of side curtains live in their own custom pouch buckled into the trunk. There's also a tan canvas folding top under the rear deck, and we suspect that we are the first to erect it in many years, so it shows some light staining and signs of age. The trunk is surprisingly large and well-shaped, and includes a color-matched mat, the jack handle, and a spare tire tucked underneath.

Although the V8 was in the pipeline, the Corvette was far from a done deal and in 1954, GM executives were still hedging their bets. That meant Chevy's mainstay "stovebolt" six lived under the Corvette's hood, although it was heavily upgraded and named the "Blue Flame" Six instead. Thanks to 235 cubic inches, three side-draft carburetors, a more radical camshaft, and a variety of other improvements, the Blue Flame makes a rather robust 150 horsepower and the smoothest torque curve you've ever felt in a Corvette. It's fully rebuilt and nicely detailed, with corporate blue engine enamel on the engine itself, a trio of rebuilt Carter 1-barrel carburetors, and correct decals wherever necessary. Yes, it shows a few minor signs of use that are completely in line with the 750 miles shown on the odometer, and most of the evidence could be erased with an afternoon of simple detailing. There is some debate as to whether the ignition cover should be painted or chromed, but sources can't agree and most assume that Chevy used whatever they had on hand, and we have to admit that we like the simplicity of the all-blue engine contrasting with the chrome expansion tank. All 1954 Corvettes were 6-volt, but this one cranks over easily and fires quickly every time, even without the choke, and after a moment or two, settles into a somewhat more aggressive idle than your average Chevy family sedan. There's clearly something special under the hood of this car and Chevy wanted you to feel it.

This was obviously a body-off restoration, with the frame itself painted satin black and the floors remaining raw fiberglass. Obviously Corvettes don't rust, but this one shows no pitting or other signs of corrosion on the frame itself and the restoration was quite thorough, addressing the suspension, brakes, and fuel systems, all of which are in good order today. The PowerGlide transmission shifts crisply and with 3.55 gears in the factory rear end, it's quite happy cruising at 60 MPH without any drama and feels quick and nimble around town. Brakes and steering are unassisted but control efforts are light and with so few pounds to haul around, the brakes are effective. There's a recent stainless steel exhaust system that sounds right, giving the burly six an aggressive voice and poking out of the rear fascia between the bumpers, as original. Factory steel wheels with hubcaps were the only option, and these are fitted with 6.70-15 BFGoodrich wide whitewall tires that look quite authentic.

The 1954 Corvette stands at the crossroads between the past and future of sports cars, a link in the chain that brought us today's incredible 600-horsepower machines. But if you're like me, the thought of a modest cruise down your favorite winding country road can be immensely appealing in a car like this Corvette. As the old saying, it's a lot more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow, and this Corvette is a joy at any speed. Call today!