In the years following World War II, European sports cars gained popularity, but U.S. automakers showed little interest, seeing the niche as unprofitable. That changed when GM’s influential design chief, Harley Earl, attended the 1951 Watkins Glen race and was captivated by the European entries.
Inspired, Earl returned and directed his team to design an affordable, American-style sports car. Designer Robert McLean drafted the chassis layout, positioning the engine low and near the front while seating the driver close to the rear axle. Duane Bohnsedt styled the sleek roadster body with signature American elements like a wraparound windshield, flowing fenders, and finned tail lights. The result was the Corvette, unveiled at the 1953 GM Motorama in New York.
Production of the Corvette began just five months after its debut, using modified mechanical components from Chevrolet’s existing lineup, including a specially tuned 235ci “Blue Flame” inline-six engine and a Powerglide automatic transmission. Only 300 Corvettes were produced in that first year, and they are now highly sought-after collector’s items.
This particular 1953 Corvette is the fifth car built and is believed to be among the first three sold to the public. Delivered in July 1953 by Diver Chevrolet in Delaware, it was reportedly purchased by Crawford Greenewalt, president of the DuPont Company. The car remained privately owned until 1997 when it was acquired and restored by a Pennsylvania enthusiast.
The restoration included a repaint in Polo White and a refreshed red interior. Key features include a curved windshield, wire-mesh headlight guards, AM radio, dual exhausts, and 15-inch steel wheels with chrome covers and whitewall tires—maintaining its period-correct style and iconic presence.
This historically significant Corvette is now offered for sale on Bring a Trailer, providing a rare opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to acquire one of the earliest and most historically important Corvettes ever produced.
Source: Bring A Trailer
