003 '53

[Dale Pearman]

Re: 002 lives

Somewhere in my mental archives I remembering something about a lawsuit and great controversy over Amgwert's article about either the EX-122 or the frame. I don't remember the circumstances. I'm sure some of the old timers can contribute to this one.

Varooom!


CLICK HERE

[Richard T.]

Re: 001 &002 are dead 003 lives! So does spare fra

Sorry Dave , Oh I mean Dale ! Gettin old sucks Rich

[Dale Pearman]

Re: 001 &002 are dead 003 lives! So does spare fra

When ya get older ya get better!..........MUCH better!............Trust me! I'm 65 with a seven year old daughter!

Varooom!


CLICK HERE

[Henri Kroeze]

The whole story -long-

Not an oldtimer by far (only 32 ) I've included the 'complete' story on these cars as I've compiled it from several Corvette Fever articles...

Enjoy or ... well, just read it and believe what you can believe of it...

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Hi all,

For all of you Corvette-history-loving (aren't we all) people, here is a 'brief' summary of the history of these cars as printed in Corvette Fever. Hope you like it.

Intro

For a long time it was believed the #003 Corvette was the oldest, still living Corvette on earth. Like many EX cars plucked off the assembly line and modified to suit the occasion, EX-122 started life as a very early production model. It was actually 1953 Corvette #002, previously thought to have been destroyed decades ago. Factory records obtained by John Amgwert, Howard Kirsch and Les Bieri, owners of 1953 Corvette #003, have proven that the long-held assumption that EX-122 is the original Waldorf Motorama show car is simply not correct.

Motorama Corvettes (see also Corvette Fever, may 1994, pg. 48 a.f., written by Don Keefe)

According to those factory records, the 1953 Waldorf Motorama Corvette Engineering car No. 852, serial number EX-52, was ordered scrapped in October of 1953. The Motorama body of engineering car No. 852/EX-52 was stripped of all brightwork instruments (with the odometer reading 111 miles), folding top, gas tank, seat cushions, etc., which were all scrapped, except for the folding top assembly. That was sent to styling for future use. On the morning of November 6, 1953, the stripped Motorama body was burn-tested (aaaagggh!) to test the inflammability of fiberglass. At least in the case of the Waldorf Motorama Corvette, being scrapped does noet mean being completely destroyed. Although the body met a fiery end, the chassis was given a new lease on life. A Chevrolet Engineering Work Order, Job No. 19100, dated October 8, 1953, authorized the chassis from the Waldorf Motorama Corvette to be rebuild, modified and lengthened for use as the 1954 Motorama Corvette Nomad Show Car.

Corvette #002 / EX-122 (see also Corvette Fever, may 1994, pg. 48 a.f., written by Don Keefe)

EX-122 started life as a Polo White 1953 Corvette, serial number E53F001002. This car was, together with Corvette #001, ordered on june 16, 1953 and completed on june 30, 1953 at the Flint, Michigan assembly plant. Both cars (#001 and #002) where assigned to Chevrolet's proving ground and evaluated for deficiencies to be corrected in future models. Chevrolet Work Order No. 19001-2, dated October 26, 1953, directed engineering, 'To insall a V-8 engine in a 1953 Corvette for mock-up purposes in order to faciliate determining design problems encountered in a 1955 production Corvette.' Corvette #002 was chosen for this mock-up installation and experimental engine No. 16741A replaced the original six-cylinder. Toward the end of 1953, #002 was rebuild to accomodate a running V-8 engine for 1955 production testing. This makes Corvette #002 absolutely the first V-8 Corvette. Changes made to the car included a total body rework, new frame and suspension, 12 volt electrical system, new cooling system, a new developmental V-8 engine (serial no. 16892-A), a new Powerglide transmission, a new rear axle with 3.27:1 gearing, a new fuel system and gas tank and new exhaust system. The car was set for completion on Friday, march 26, 1954. Around may 1955 #002 was again rebuild, this time for development. In august of the same year, a new engine (No. 0215185-F55FG) and Powerglide transmission were installed. It was then subject to a 25.000 mile durability test at the proving ground. After this test the car was returned to engineering and completely torn down. Each component was inspected for stress and wear and reports were made for revising production components. The director of Experimental Department, Russell F. Sanders, had #002 rebuild for the last time in late 1955. It is believed that the EX-122 designation was assigned during this period. Any experimental pieces that showed any wear were replaced with new production equivalents. The color was then changed to red. In this new form the car was used as a company courtesy vehicle where it racked up about 5000 miles before being put up for sale. The first civilian owner of the car was Russell Sanders, knowing the car was better than a regular production Corvette. The current owner, John W. "Jack" Ingle, purchased the car from Sanders in 1959 when the Corvette had about 30.000 miles on the clock. In 1968 the car was almost completely destroyed by a 'professional restauration' by a local shop. Much damage was done by sandblasting everything, such as delicate fiberglass body panels, chrome trim, engine compartiment and even the dash panel. Many of the trim pieces that were removed were either lost or damaged. Any bolts that didn't come off easily were sheared off. Rot in the frame was solved by applying bondo. Fortunately Ingle contacted Jon Blanchette, a GM employee who had gained a fair amount of recognition restoring early Corvettes in his spare time. Jon started the restauration (better called resque) in 1973. After considerable discussion and research, Jon decided that EX-122 should be restored to its april 1956 configuration, just the way it left Chevrolet Engineering. Restoring EX-122 to the #002 configuration would have been impossible, as a great deal of the original componentry, such as the engine, was scrapped and no longer in existence. This restauration took five years and more than 3000 man-hours. It's first showing was at the NCRS' 1978 National Convention in Flint, Michigan. The event celebrated the Corvette's 25th Anniversary. It has also been at Bloomington Gold ('93, Special Collection) and various other shows. In 1994 the car was still owned by Jack Ingles. (Even in 2000... )

Corvette #003 (see also Corvette Fever, february 1991, pg. 44 a.f., written by Thomas Glatch)

#003 also ended up as test vehicle for GM after it's completion on #june 30, 1953. It was send to GM Car Development Garages on july 7, 1953. It was subject of testing in a cold room shake test. With a temperature of 20 degrees below zero the car was put on rollers and vibrated to see how well its body and other components would fare. It passed the test with 'no serious fatigue'. In august 1953 #003 was returned to Michigan for a 5000 mile Belgium block test, 5000 miles of cobblestone roadbed to test the structural integrity of this fiberglass and steel creation. With the anticipated high demand for the Corvette and relatively low production levels, a work order was initiated to completely refurbish the car, apparently for further development and possible resale or display. This total rebuild included a new frame. Then it was sold. The car's ownership is unclear from this point to 1958, when a California couple purchased the car for $ 1200,-. It remained in their ownership until 1969 when a Corvette collector, Ed Thiebuad, purchases it. He owned this car for 18 years, and at some point it was part of a divorce settlement and actually buried to keep his prized possession from his ex-wife. Nobody was convinced that the car was really gone, and it eventually surfaced and was sold at the 1987 Monterey auction as part of the final settlement. Three men, Les Bieri, Howard Kirsch and John Amgwert, purchased the car for...... $ 37.000,- !! Almost immediately after their purchase the Corvette was parted from it's chassis. Reason for this urgency was that in 1978 a frame bearing the #003 VIN was discovered under a 1955 Corvette. The obvious questions were why was it under that car, and what frame was under #003? What was found under #003 was of great interest - a 1953 vintage frame with absolutely no VIN number at all. During the restauration a lot of hand-made, early production parts were discovered, like the center grille bar was six pieces, while later units were one. Also the nose emblem was unique to the car. #003 has also won a trailer full of trophies, like the Duntov Award, Gold at Bloomington and the NCRS' Top Flight award.

Phew, what a story!

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Besides the 1979 MY the early Vettes have my great interest.

Henri -would love to own a '53 - '55- Kroeze, the Netherlands

[Robert C.]

Re: The whole story -long-

The only thing I heard directly from Howard Kirsh, is that Les did the bidding while Howard was up in Seatle. Howard said he would add the $ over 200K if the bidding got that high. He said ,IT DID and he had to kick in another 50K or so.He said the car is insured for $1mil. (all said before he passed, of course)


NCRS-Texas Chapter

[David K.]

Re: 002 lives

Dale, I am one of the old timers! THAT'S THE PROBLEM.I became a member in I think '76.I am missing the 1st 6 issues of the restorer.But, I do remember reading the 1st part of the story but the not the end. Henri was so kind to bring me up to date.

[Steve W.]

Re: 001 &002 are dead 003 lives! So does spare fra

I agree. Alzheimer's is a lot better than Parkinson's, too. I'd much rather forget to pay for a beer than to spill it all over myself.

[Michael R.]

Re: 001 &002 are dead 003 lives! So does spare fra

Gee..I guess you DO mean VAROOOM!!... STW, Mike


Mike '69 Corvette Page

[Kent Keech #6210]

Re: For What It's Worth

Steve Koss, God rest his sole, was kind enough to bequeath to me a piece of the original Motorama Corvette (there were two, as I recall Steve telling it). They would prepare one of the cars for the next show while the previous Motorama was occuring. Remember the '56-7 type vents located on the fender catwalks that were on the NY Motorama car and not on the latter showings of the same car? Steve was instructed by upper eschelon at the GM Tech Center to "cut them out" and he did, but he saved one under his shirt as a keepsake. I now have that piece and would like to look at EX122, now red, to determine if, in fact, that is the Motorama Corvette body. It was shown at Bloomington Gold's Special Collection the year of "Motorama Gold" and I didn't look. As far as I know, there are no surviving parts or pieces from either original Motorama Corvette other than this vent.

Oh sure, it could be my age, memory, or physical condition as Varooooooom says. Please tell me I'm wrong.