Fantasy Junction

Description

1955 Corvette V8

Chassis No. – VE555001499
Exterior Color – Harvest Gold
Interior Color – Yellow and Green
Engine – 265 cu. in. V8
Transmission – 2-Speed Powerglide Automatic
Mileage – 430 miles (TMU)
Current owner – Purchased in 2005

Highlights of This Car

Rare Harvest Gold /Green colors
NCRS Top Flight Award Winner
Less than 500 miles since restoration

Numbers on This Car

Build Date – August 5, 1955
Engine Block Stamping – 0292592F55FG
Transmission – GM – 8 3708188
Tail-Shaft Housing = GM 1 3708241
Engine Casting Number – 3703524
Exhaust Manifolds – 3764781 and 3764782
Intake Manifold Casting Number – 3711348
Carburetor ID Tag – 2351S F5 8 (second design)
Distributor Cap and Vac. Advance – III6098

General History

The 1950s was a prosperous time for Americans, industry, and innovation. Nowhere was this more evident than in American automobile design and manufacturing. With each year, exciting models arrived, and companies expanded on themes of luxury and performance. But in 1953, when the Corvette was launched, there was nothing quite like it. Conceived and built for sports car enthusiasts, the Corvette brought new excitement to the Chevrolet division despite limited sales in these early years. Knowing the new market would take time to develop, General Motors added more performance and refinement with each year. In 1955 a big leap was made by adding the V8 engine which nearly doubled the horsepower output of the original Blue Flame Six. 1955 also signaled the arrival of Zora Arkus Duntov, the development engineer who would put his vital performance innovations into action beginning with the 1955 model.

Although sales increased, total sales of 1955 Corvettes would result in just 700 examples. Fewer still, it is believed that fewer than 100 Corvettes were optioned in the rare Harvest Gold/Green color combination.

History of This Corvette

This 1955 Corvette V8 is one of 700 examples built in 1955 and is believed to be fewer than 100 examples finished at the factory in Harvest Gold with a green convertible top. Though early history is not known at this time, an original Florida title dating purchase in 1966 is included with the bills of sale documenting the history of ownership. The car was sold to the next owner in 1991 and sold in 2000 to the next owner who commissioned a comprehensive restoration. From 2000-2003 the car was professionally restored with the ongoing consultation of an NCRS judge who would eventually purchase the car. During the restoration the prior owner insisted that NOS parts be used including the last known original rolls of correct NOS yellow interior vinyl supplied by John Kennedy, House of Customs, well known to Corvette enthusiasts. Experts at Coulter Automotive performed body and paint work and final details were referenced from the award-winning #96 1955 Corvette owned by the consulting NCRS judge. The culmination of excellence in all classifications, this 1955 Corvette received an NCRS Top Flight Award in 2005, scoring 97.5 points (judging sheets included) and “Best Corvette” at the 2005 Keels and Wheels Concours.

The current owner purchased this car in 2005 with 53.7 miles indicated at the time of purchase shortly after receiving the NCRS award. Under current ownership the current owner has retained this Corvette as part of a private Northern California collection of sports cars. In 2013 with 397 miles, the transmission valve body gasket and seals were replaced, new spark plugs were installed, and an interior light replaced.

Current Condition

Today with 430 miles accumulated since the restoration was completed, and recognized with an NCRS Top-Flight Award, this Corvette still displays the superb cosmetic and mechanical details reflective of the award-winning professional restoration performed 25 years ago. The restoration quality has not diminished in any respect since achieving a near perfect score under expert Corvette judging. The paint is glossy and consistent, having been skillfully applied in correct Harvest Gold. The body exhibits beautiful fit and finish consistent with GM factory molded fiberglass of the period. The doors, hood, and trunk exhibit smooth, consistent operation when opening and closing these features. The hinged convertible top cover fits well, concealing the factory correct green canvas top when lowered into position. The various trim, bumper exit exhaust, and finned tail lights deliver vintage Motorama touches to the curvaceous exterior, all of which are consistent and beautifully finished.

The chrome trim, badges, and various exterior elements are in excellent condition, particularly the chrome bumpers which show no evidence of age to the exceptional chrome quality. The wheels are excellent overall with correct original type wheel covers mounted on matching Harvest Gold steel wheels. A set of BFGoodrich Silvertown 6.70 15 4-Ply Polyester tubeless whitewall tires are mounted. The glass, lights, and lenses are all in excellent condition including the compound curved windshield, and beautifully finished removable side windows surrounded by chrome frames. The exterior presentation overall is superb in every respect.

Inside, the car continues to impress with an interior that has been faithfully restored to original specifications using high quality materials, exacting fasteners, factory finishes, and beautiful detailing. The material condition and finishes remain in excellent condition showing little to no wear from the marginal use over the past 25 years. The seat and door stitching is correct and properly sewn into the interior trim. The seat foam is very resilient, and the carpeting remains in excellent condition throughout the interior. The instruments are placed in the matching Harvest Gold dashboard with dark green accents on the steering column, dashboard, and door caps. The colorful and highly detailed gauges feature vivid nomenclature and an exceptionally nice center binnacle chrome surround. The distinctive green canvas convertible top is in excellent condition both inside and out, wrapped tightly over a restored set of top bows, which can be easily raised and latched to the windshield surround.

Under the hood, the restoration details and attention to accuracy continues to a level of excellence one seldom sees in early Corvette restorations. The overall presentation is very authentic and properly finished including correctly domed Philips head screws fastening the chrome plated valve covers in place. The correct engine block and original heads (verified original by the restorer with a hand signed statement included with the documentation) are finished in the correct Chevrolet orange with the area for the engine block stamping left in raw metal displaying the number 0292592F55FG. The engine shows correct casting numbers including the intake and exhaust manifolds and Powerglide transmission and tail housing numbers. Topping the intake manifold, the correct carburetor and tag are properly finished per original specifications. Other details include a correct windshield washer bag, correct louvered air cleaner, an original generator, chrome plated valve covers, woven steel wrapped ignition wires, and the correct chrome plated distributor shroud. Underneath the car, the suspension, driveline components, exhaust, solid rear axle and limiting straps all appear not only factory correct but also display finishes and paint markings consistent with factory specifications from new, all of which remain in exceptional condition.

With known history since 1997 and NCRS 97.5 Top Flight recognition, this beautifully restored Corvette is ready for any event or major Corvette show. Presented with superb finishes in rare Harvest Gold, this V8 Corvette is ready for another distinguished chapter as a delightful example of American performance excellence.

Included with This Car


This Corvette is accompanied by the NCRS certificates and judging sheets, prior bills of sale, an original 1966 title, original Corvette owners handbook, a Danbury Mint 1:24 scale model and packaging of this car, an original radio Photofact Folder pamphlet, a set of side windows in chrome frames with a matching yellow storage pouch, and a file with a few service records and magazines featuring this car.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608