Corvette history 1954

	1954 CORVETTE

For all practical purposes the 1953 and 1954 Corvettes were the same.
Minor changes were made to the window storage bag, air cleaners, starter, and locations of the fuel and brake lines.
Unlike the previous year's model (which offered only Polo White), the 1954s were also available in Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, and Black.
The soft top was now offered in beige.
A new style of valve cover was used. It was held on by four bolts through the outside lip instead of two center studs.
The valve cover decals were different with larger lettering.
The optional radio had Conelrad National Defense System icons on its face.
In early 1954, the original two-handled hood latch was changed to a single-handle design.
Six-cylinder Corvettes after serial number E54S003906 had integrated dual-port air cleaners.
A clip to hold the ventiplanes closed was added in late 1954 and also used on all 1955 models.

I.D. NUMBERS

Corvette used the standard 10 symbol Chevrolet Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) coding system. The I.D. tag was located on the left-hand front door hinge pillar.

E = Corvette model
54 = 1954
S = St. Louis, MO assembly plant
the last six numbers were the sequential production number
They numbered from E54S001001 to E54S004640.

The engine number was found on the right-hand side of the crankcase behind the distributor.
The engine numbers for 1954 used the prefix "LG".
Since the Corvette bodies were virtually handmade, they did not carry standard Fisher Body Style Numbers as did other GM cars.
The Corvette model number consisted of the four digits 2934, which also served as the body style number for the early production years.

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
2934	2934	2-dr. Roadster - 2 passenger	$2774	2705 lb	3640

ENGINE

The Corvette engine was surprisingly a six-cylinder, inline, overhead valve unit with a cast iron block. It displaced 235.5 cid (3.9 liters) with a bore of 3.56 in. (90mm) and a stroke of 3.96 in. (100mm) and a compression of 8.0:1. It produced 150 hp @ 4200 rpm. The ignition had a single breaker point. The carburetor was a three Carter Type YH one-barrel Model 2066S. Later in the model year, a new camshaft increased the horsepower to 155

CHASSIS

Wheelbase	102 inches	2.591 m
Overall length	167 inches	4.242 m
Front tread	57 inches	1.448 m
Rear tread	58.8 inches	1.494 m
Wheels	steel disk
Tires	6.70x15
Front suspension	coil springs with tukbular shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Rear suspension	Leaf springs, tube shocks and solid rear axle
Brakes	Drum on all four wheels
Axle ratio	3.55:1

OPTIONS

RPO 102A Signal-seeking AM radio ($145.15)
RPO 100Q Polo White directional signals ($16.75)
RPO 100R Pennant Blue directional signals ($16.75)
RPO 101A Heater ($91.40)
RPO 422A windshield washer ($11.85)
RPO 420A parking brake alarm ($5.65)
RPO 313M Powerglide automatic transmission ($178.35)
RPO 290B 6.70 x 15 White sidewall tires
RPO 421A Courtesy light ($4.05)

HISTORICAL NOTES

Production of 1954 Corvettes began December 23, 1953.
Approximately 80 percent of the 1954 Corvettes were painted white.
About 15% had a Pennant Blue exterior with Shoreline Beige interior.
About 3% were Red with a Red interior and some Black cars with Red interiors were built.
In addition, Metallic Green and Metallic Brown cars are thought to have been built.
The 1954 Corvette did not achieve its sales target of 10,000 cars.
In fact, over 1100 were unsold when the year ended.
A 1954 Corvette could go from 0 to 60 mph in 11 seconds and from 0 to 100 mph in 41 seconds.

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1954 CORVETTE