A 1954 Chevrolet Corvette prototype with an unannounced facelift is for sale. It’s one of G.M. ‘s early Corvettes and boasts C1-only design elements. Gooding & Company is selling the S.O. 2151-numbered C1, a unique car. Motor Trend defines “shop order” as a custom body. It began as an EX-129 bright yellow hardtop. It was one of 15 S.O. 2000 cars G.M. built for testing at Motorama. In early 1954, it was shipped back to General Motors’ “Art and Color” branch to be utilised as a “proposal car,” a design prototype for the 1955 model (the first with a V8). Harley Earl, who designed the GMC L’Universelle, mounted the 235-cubic-inch (3.9-liter) Blue Flame inline-six engine body on a 1954-style frame. However, the exterior was designed to showcase the V8 model, with new Corvette text, a modified Bel Air grille, unusual side vents, a cosmetic hood scoop, and more to symbolise the absent V8. For over 20 years, the automobile was mostly forgotten. Hemmings sold the Chevy illegally to a private buyer in 1975 without its distinguishing features because it had yet to be released. The current or former owner understood precisely what they received in 2015 when they paid to restore it to 1954. Hand-painting the Bermuda Green car and completing the proposed style adjustments were required. On August 18 and 19, Gooding & Company Pebble Beach will auction the 1955 Corvette that could have been. Its rarity might fetch $2 million. Even though the buyers already have a room full of New Balance sneakers, it’s likely to come with a pair of gold-plated ones at that price.
