A short history of a wrecked 54.

[Bill W.]

I have a short history of a 1954 Corvette#E54S001443 engine #342513f54YG from new until 1977. This 54 was bought new from Riely Bros. Chevrolet in Alton , Il. by Dr. F. He only drove it a short time . It was to small for him & he didnt like the windows . Francis McC. was the next owner I have photos of it when he bought it and after the wreck. Francis only owned it until May 1955 or so. Francis was driving with 3 people in the car when he drove off the road into a area full of trees. The next photo is the same car after it was "repaired" . It had two more owners after the wreck Wayne M. & Bill A. I think Wayne M had it repaired and sold it to Bill A. but I could have that wrong.It was traded on a Dusenburg and we think it went to California . The last picture was taken at a small car show in Alton in 1977. After that we dont know what happened to it . I did see a 54 with a wooden bed instead of a trunk at a show .What were people thinking.DSCN1958.jpgDSCN1961.jpgDSCN1960.jpgDSCN1957.jpg

[Alan S.]

Re: A short history of a wrecked 54.

Hi Bill,
Interesting tale and pictures.
It's odd that in the last picture it not only has the continental kit on it, but also has what appears to my eye, as very 'T-Bird' 'proportions' to it, too.
Regards,
Alan

[Bill W.]

Re: A short history of a wrecked 54.

Alan I dont see the T Bird It looks all 58 Chevy to me . If I remember correctly the front was a 58 Corvette . It still had the 54 dash . Notice the wagon next to it . That belonged to D&A Corvette .

[Alan S.]

Re: A short history of a wrecked 54.

Hi Bill,
I see the 58 Impala too… but I was referring to the "proportion", (length), from the back of the interior to the back of the car… I thought much more T-bird than Corvette.
Regards,
Alan

[John D.]

Re: A short history of a wrecked 54.

It's not hideous in my opinion. I'd bet it got a lot of attention back in the day.

[John H.]

Re: A short history of a wrecked 54.

I did see a 54 with a wooden bed instead of a trunk at a show .What were people thinking.

Bill -

Did you mean the Pennant Blue '54 with the removable mahogany hot tub insert in the trunk? That car belongs to George Prentice, retired GM Styling employee; I took these photos in 2003 at Noland's SACC 50th Anniversary celebration in Grand Blanc. The car was recently re-restored at Masterworks.


54tub.jpg54Tub2.JPG54Tub3.jpg

[Bill W.]

Re: A short history of a wrecked 54.

Yes John thats it . I dont remember where I seen it but It would have been in St Louis are Bloomington .