Couple Orders C8 Corvette to VIN-Match Their ’53

Owning one piece of Corvette history is enough for most people, but Larry and Debi Smith are adding a new member to their Corvette family.

Larry and Debi Smith are the lucky owners of a 1953 Corvette. With just 300 examples produced, it’s an exclusive club. Owning one of the first Corvettes is a real privilege. It’s more than owning a car — you’re a custodian of an important piece of history.

The Smiths bought their Corvette from a family friend back in the 1980s. That friend bought the car from the original owner. They’ve been taking care of the car ever since, preserving it, enjoying it, and taking it to shows.

As you probably know, all 1953 Corvettes were identical. All of them were Polo White with red interior. When they decided to order a 2020 C8, the Smiths naturally ordered their new Corvette in white over red to match their 1953.

A Perfect Pair

According to Motor 1, the similarities don’t end there. The Smiths own 1953 Corvette number 285. The VIN of their 2020 Corvette? You guessed it, it ends in 0000285.

So, how did the Smiths swing it? As Larry explained to Motor 1, the process was started long before the C8 was even announced. It makes sense — with tens of thousands of 2020 Corvettes already accounted for, getting such a low VIN must have meant getting in on the ground floor.

Apparently, reserving the VIN was an additional $5,000 charge on top of the car and the other options they chose. However, they also had some help on the inside. The Smiths thank Harlan Charles at Chevrolet, as well as Shane Webb and Lori Bieschke of the National Corvette Museum for making their VIN-match dreams come true.

The Smiths have also shared their story in the C8 Corvette Owners (And Friends) Facebook group, where they are active members. We hope that they’ll join us here on Corvette Forum.

Not many folks will be able to say that they own both a first-year Corvette and a first-year mid-engine Corvette. As far as we know, only two —  Larry and Debi Smith — will be able to say that they match. We can’t wait to see photos of both cars together.

Photos: Larry Smith

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