The first Chevrolet Corvette ever exported from the US was shipped to Portugal in 1955, where it was used for racing. This specific car, in a beautifully restored condition, is now up for sale at Bilweb Auctions.
It has chassis number 122 out of 700 produced of model year 1955, leaving the plant in Flint, Michigan, in March that year. It was previously believed that it was number 239 being the first export Corvette, but now everything indicates that was wrong.
The story about how this Corvette ended up in Sweden starts in 1992. The father of the current owner, at the time living in Portugal, spotted the car in a junk yard in a very sad state. When it seven years later was still there, he decided to buy it and started a thorough restoration. In 2008 it was brought to Sweden where the project was finished.
Almost everything in the car is restored or new, including a paint in the original color Pennant Blue. Only 45 Corvettes of model year 1955 received this color. The car also got a newly manufactured interior in Shoreline Beige.
During the restoration a correct 265 cui V8 was mounted, as well as the Powerglide gearbox. 1955 was the first year with a V8 for the Corvette, transforming it from a sporty roadster to a - using Chevrolet’s words - ”a high-performance vehicle”.
Today this early Corvette is in a wonderful condition, a few minor measures away from perfect.
When the car arrived in Portugal in spring 1955, its first private owner became the racing driver Horacio Carvalho de Macedo, who raced it in quite a few competitions. A plaque from the first race, ”Il Rally do Espinho”, is still with the car as well as its original Portugese registration plate.
An early Corvette like this one is rare today. The first generation, 1953-55, was made in only 4 655 examples. Its ”jet-age” inspired design with the striking fins and exquisite details like the exhaust arrangement, the plexiglass covered registration plate and the protection nets over the headlights creates an unique look.
It is very unusual that a first generation Corvette comes on the market, especially in Europe. The car has been valued by Bilweb Auctions at between 1,2 and 1,5 million SEK. The auction closes on 7 December.
30 NOV 12:17 PER-ÅKE FRÖBERG
Europe’s first Corvette on sale at Bilweb Auctions
Den första Chevrolet Corvette som exporterades från USA hamnade i Portugal 1955 där den tävlades med. Nu är denna bil - i ett mycket fint renoverat skick - till salu på Bilweb Auctions.
