Back in 1953, Chevrolet's launch of a two-seater sports car was a radical departure for a marque hitherto associated almost exclusively with sensible family transport. Based on the 1952 EX-122 show car, the Corvette made use of existing GM running gear and a shortened chassis frame, around which was wrapped striking Harley Earl-styled glassfibre coachwork. Motive power came from Chevrolet's 235.5 cubic inch (3.8-litre) overhead-valve straight six and, unusually for a sports car, there was automatic transmission, a feature that attracted much adverse criticism at the time. Sales were sluggish initially and the model came close to being axed, surviving thanks to Chevrolet's need to compete with Ford's Thunderbird. A V8 engine for 1955 and a radical restyle for '56 consolidated the 'Vette's position in the market, the model going on to become the world's best-selling and longest-lived sports car. The Corvette in its second (1956-onwards) incarnation evolved slowly, gaining a four-headlight front end for '58 and a re-styled 'duck tail' rear, featuring a quartet of tail lights and an enlarged trunk, for '61. The 'Vette was face-lifted and improved annually, more and more options becoming part of the car's standard inventory in the process; in 1962 a stock Corvette came with electric clock, rev counter, seat belts and outside rear-view mirror. Major chassis engineering changes were few. Victor Ribeiro was keen to own one of America’s iconic ‘rock ’n roll’ automobiles and chose this Chevrolet Corvette, which he bought in Barcelona. A manual transmission model already restored (in Belgium) at the time of its acquisition, this car appears in our opinion, in excellent condition throughout and is finished in two-tone red/cream with black leatherette interior. Désireux de posséder une de ces automobiles-symboles de l'Amérique période “rock'n roll”, Victor Ribeiro choisit cette Chevrolet Corvette qu'il acheta à Barcelone. Modèle à boîte manuelle déjà restauré (en Belgique) au moment de son acquisition, cette Corvette, peinte en deux tons rouge et crème avec intérieur en simili noir, est à notre avis en excellent état à tous points de vue.
Back in 1953, Chevrolet's launch of a two-seater sports car was a radical departure for a marque hitherto associated almost exclusively with sensible family transport. Based on the 1952 EX-122 show car, the Corvette made use of existing GM running gear and a shortened chassis frame, around which was wrapped striking Harley Earl-styled glassfibre coachwork. Motive power came from Chevrolet's 235.5 cubic inch (3.8-litre) overhead-valve straight six and, unusually for a sports car, there was automatic transmission, a feature that attracted much adverse criticism at the time. Sales were sluggish initially and the model came close to being axed, surviving thanks to Chevrolet's need to compete with Ford's Thunderbird. A V8 engine for 1955 and a radical restyle for '56 consolidated the 'Vette's position in the market, the model going on to become the world's best-selling and longest-lived sports car. The Corvette in its second (1956-onwards) incarnation evolved slowly, gaining a four-headlight front end for '58 and a re-styled 'duck tail' rear, featuring a quartet of tail lights and an enlarged trunk, for '61. The 'Vette was face-lifted and improved annually, more and more options becoming part of the car's standard inventory in the process; in 1962 a stock Corvette came with electric clock, rev counter, seat belts and outside rear-view mirror. Major chassis engineering changes were few. Victor Ribeiro was keen to own one of America’s iconic ‘rock ’n roll’ automobiles and chose this Chevrolet Corvette, which he bought in Barcelona. A manual transmission model already restored (in Belgium) at the time of its acquisition, this car appears in our opinion, in excellent condition throughout and is finished in two-tone red/cream with black leatherette interior. Désireux de posséder une de ces automobiles-symboles de l'Amérique période “rock'n roll”, Victor Ribeiro choisit cette Chevrolet Corvette qu'il acheta à Barcelone. Modèle à boîte manuelle déjà restauré (en Belgique) au moment de son acquisition, cette Corvette, peinte en deux tons rouge et crème avec intérieur en simili noir, est à notre avis en excellent état à tous points de vue.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
