1953 Production Corvette Chassis Donated to National Corvette Museum
1953 Production Corvette Chassis Donated to National Corvette Museum
The last of its kind, VIN #003 is the oldest existing Corvette chassis.
Recently, the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY had a ribbon cutting ceremony unveil the newly renovated Gateway exhibit. The star attraction was a 1953 Corvette Chassis #003, the oldest surviving production frame. The cutaway Corvette is still fully functional vehicle and was built for display purposes.
In 1953, the first three Corvettes rolled off the line at the Flint Assembly plant. The donated car was #003. It went to the GM Tech Center in Warren, MI where it was used for in-house testing. Years later, the 1953 chassis was discovered on eBay by king Corvette collector Ed Foss. Ed and his wife Teresa Foss donated the cutaway vehicle to the museum as a permanent part of its collection.
“We wanted to make sure Ed’s legacy and contributions in the Corvette community would be remembered here at the Museum,” she said at the ceremony. It should be noted that Ed is very much alive and kicking in Roanoke, IN.
“This is the oldest surviving production Corvette chassis,” Derek Moore, curator for the museum told Hemmings. “It’s a huge, huge donation for us. It’s one of the most significant cars in the museum now.”
The cutaway was built by Kevin Mackay of Corvette Repair Inc. The remarkable car allows an unprecedented look inside a rare and stunning piece of automotive history.
The new Gateway exhibit focuses on the history and influences of the Corvette, as well as its impact on the automotive industry.
For more information about the museum, check out their website.
Photos: National Corvette Museum
