Where do they come from 55's

[Roy B.]

Many years ago I repro'ed the 55 Corvette shielding because I needed a set for another 55 I had that dint have the shielding .Because I had bought a NOS set plus the drawings I repro'ed them and sold around 50 units (many years ago). The 55 is so rare to even see one ,yet today people are now finding and restoring them , I wonder where they are coming from , it's good there being found and restored because now I don't feel so alone and made good friends that have one. I think the value of a 55 is growing fast because so few were ever made 700 , most 53's are all bought up and 54's are over a 100K and more .
I'm just asking because I sold the few I just made up from parts so fast. I'm not trying to sell them here talking about the 55 ( what three people here have one ? ) , but just asking why now they are being found and restored . I find it good but curious and thinking out loud !!

[Richard M.]

Re: Where do they come from 55's

Hi Roy,
My guess is the 55's have been out there, hiding in the lurks of barns and garages, possibly no one wanted them over the years. As the hobby ages, so do the hobbyists. I think they are now wanting them as they couldn't afford them then. Now retired with time and some money to do what they always wanted. In 1955, let's say a 12 year old boy saw a copper 55 in the Chevy dealership and fell in love with it. Today he's 65, retired, and getting his dream car.......IMHO......Rich
ps I was 16 when I went for my first ride in a Corvette.....a 59, and dreamed of getting one for many years. Sixteen years later, wife got me the real thing for my birthday(we 2nd mortgaged the house). That was 22 years ago.

[Roy B.]

Re: Where do they come from 55's

I just looove your Corvette it's great

[Tyler T.]

Re: Where do they come from 55's

I agree with the aging ****ysis but would add that some are coming up as the owner finally realizes he will never get it done so it is sold as he downsizes (thats how mine came up) or he dies and the family has no desire to do the work to bring it back. In both cases the rising prices have helped make these decisions to sell.

Tyler

[Joseph T.]

Re: Where do they come from 55's

I agree with the aging ****ysis but would add that some are coming up as the owner finally realizes he will never get it done so it is sold as he downsizes (thats how mine came up) or he dies and the family has no desire to do the work to bring it back. In both cases the rising prices have helped make these decisions to sell.

Tyler

Tyler..I agree.. as more 1st Generation owners pass on..more of these early cars become available. I know of a 55 sitting in storage in St.Louis and the deceased owners daughter has no time to deal with it...so it just sits there. I suppose one day the circumstances will be right and the car will sell.

I recently visited the RM auction warehouse in Ypsilanti, Mi. The caliber of cars sitting in that warehouse was unbelievable. Priceless Deusenbergs, Ferraris, V16 Cadillac, Edsel Ford 32 speedster and so much more..and all for sale. Actually it was a little spooky being around all that history.

Joe

[Michael L.]

Re: Where do they come from 55's

In 1979, mine came from a guys backyard in Hawaii, weeds were growing through the floor board and the trunk was a giant bee hive... $1400.00 later and a wild tow home with bees swarming, it was mine... The man who sold it to me needed money to attend a jewelry manufacturing convention in Los Angeles, I got my '55 for his plane fare.

[Fenwick B.]

Re: Where do they come from 55's

I bought mine, number 68, in 2004. The previous owner had started restoring it in 1991, and it was still in boxes when I got it. The previous owner that he bought it from lived in Dallas, and he had it stored since 1971. He had bought it from someone that had raced it in Fresno and Sacremento California in the 60's, and it was in pretty bad shape. That person, I think, bought it from the original dealer's (Lennon Brothers Chevrolet in Hanford, California) son.
Fenwick

[Jimmy B.]

Re: Where do they come from 55's

Roy,

Just went to an "auto museum" here in Sarasota, FL. Guess what was being displayed? 55 # 385. It's red w/auto. another one for you.

[Jeff G.]

Re: Where do they come from 55's

Hi Roy,

I was one of the three that bought the shielding set. One of the few parts that were missing when I inherited #299. My grandfather owned it since around 1960. I am trying to find all the info I can on it though. He did a semi-restore on it when I was about 12. I remember helping him with minor things because my hands were small so I could fit them in tight places. I didn't know what I was doing, but he would just say "screw this nut on right in there" and I would do it. Looking back I probably wasn't any help at all but who knows?

He passed away a couple years ago and I didn't look at the car for about a year. We were very close and even at his funeral when I spoke, I mentioned not trading him for all the Corvette's in the world. That was true. So late last year I got it fired up and drove it home. Since then I decided to do a complete frame-off restoration. I haven't regretted that decision yet. I am having a lot of fun with it.

When it is done, I don't know what I am going to do. My Grandpa said "just don't sell it for less than $100k". He never got the car judged and didn't own a computer, but he would keep a picture of it in his wallet. I find myself doing the same thing. I may keep it and drive it, I may put it in a bubble or maybe sell it. Well see! The first thing I am going to do is drive it to my Grandma's and take her to lunch. I know she will love that! So that is #299's story. Thanks for all of the information you provide in the meantime. As we all know there's not alot of it out there for these early cars.

[Roy B.]

Re: Where do they come from 55's

Hi Roy,

I was one of the three that bought the shielding set. One of the few parts that were missing when I inherited #299. My grandfather owned it since around 1960. I am trying to find all the info I can on it though. He did a semi-restore on it when I was about 12. I remember helping him with minor things because my hands were small so I could fit them in tight places. I didn't know what I was doing, but he would just say "screw this nut on right in there" and I would do it. Looking back I probably wasn't any help at all but who knows?

He passed away a couple years ago and I didn't look at the car for about a year. We were very close and even at his funeral when I spoke, I mentioned not trading him for all the Corvette's in the world. That was true. So late last year I got it fired up and drove it home. Since then I decided to do a complete frame-off restoration. I haven't regretted that decision yet. I am having a lot of fun with it.

When it is done, I don't know what I am going to do. My Grandpa said "just don't sell it for less than $100k". He never got the car judged and didn't own a computer, but he would keep a picture of it in his wallet. I find myself doing the same thing. I may keep it and drive it, I may put it in a bubble or maybe sell it. Well see! The first thing I am going to do is drive it to my Grandma's and take her to lunch. I know she will love that! So that is #299's story. Thanks for all of the information you provide in the meantime. As we all know there's not alot of it out there for these early cars.

Your grandpa is right about the price , if you don't need the money it will only go up .. Of all the years that corvette was made the 55 is the rarest , first V8 12V only 700 made ,fewer left then the 53 that I know of.Drive it and enjoy it like your grandpa did.I'm sure he's watching you restore his Corvette.