1953 Corvette - No. 149 out of 300
Source: Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions
Monterey 2014
Consignment #: 9016
VIN: E53F001149
Run # S646
Approx. Run Time: Saturday 8:18PM-8:38PM
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale WITHOUT RESERVE and SOLD to the highest bidder August 14th – 16th, 2014 at Russo and Steele's 14th Annual Monterey California Auction. Please contact us for more information.
This 1953 Corvette is Car Number 149 of the 300 built for the Corvette's inaugural year, with a letter of authenticity from Corvette. There have been only two owners in the vehicle's 61-year history! David Grove acquired the Corvette in 1961 and owned and personally maintained it until his passing in late 2012. It is still titled in Pennsylvania. There were no options on the 1953 Corvette. It has been appraised as an "umolested original" although there has been some repainting and there is damage to the paint at the left rear tail as the result of a garage mishap shortly before Mr. Grove's death. The chassis, bright metal, glass, wheel covers, dash and hardware and upholstery are original; the trunk mats have been replaced, but the deteriorated originals are with the car. The soft-top is an aftermarket replacement. There is a small star-chip in the original windshield in the lower right corner. The original head was cracked and it was removed, repaired, and then replaced by David Grove. The engine is completely operational and the car is drivable.
David Grove was an internationally acclaimed Hall of Fame illustrator who did work for Road & Track, Car and Driver, Mercedes, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and National Geographic and in addition, he illustrated movie posters, books, and other publications. His work hangs in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, among other venues. This vehicle is featured both in his 2012 memoir, "David Grove-An Illustrated Life," and in the April issue of Corvette Magazine. The latter unfortunately implied that the late paint damage also caused damage to the body; this is in fact not the case. The vehicle is unrestored and has never been shown, except informally, to the consignor's knowledge. This historic first-year Corvette is a unique car owned for more than 50 years by a unique individual. What could be better?