1954 Barn Find

[Al E.]

I have a new addition to the family. However not sure what to do with her.... Keep it a Survivor or go top flight.

http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2015/05/20/this-barn-find-1954-corvette-parked-51-years-ago-sells-for-52000/

Any suggestions? If i just wash and wax and put a top or maybe repaint. .. would it still be a survivor?

Help help help..

[David B.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Keep it Original including paint. Don't screw it up by over restoring!

[Al E.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

David..I think you make a good point...the top needs love so I'll be replacing it. Maybe I can cut the paint and polish the trim .. but if it cuts to the glass I'll have no choice but to strip it and respray.

[Todd H.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Really cool car, Al.

If it were mine, I'd take some time and think it over carefully before I did anything. It would probably come down to whether I could enjoy it as is. I have an appreciation for how those early owners modified and used their cars, and I like to leave them that way. Not quite factory, but certainly not he drastic modifications some owners make today. Some imperfections in paint, stainless, and chrome don't bother me. I've used my '57 for 5 years without a top. I removed it to replace the first owner's roll bar, and I haven't missed it. For me, there's no need for a top the way I use this car. I haven't seen your car of course, but I think I'd carefully buff the paint and leave it. Make sure it was safe to use mechanically and drive it occasionally.

It's not mine though, and only you can say what you should do with it.

[Paul H.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Congratulations on your new 54. If it were mine I would probably give it a mild machine polish, change the fluids and make sure it's mechanically sound and enjoy it. The minor carb mod can be rectified. The cars that are commanding the most interest are the ones that are in their original state. We've all seen the lines of perfectly restored old Corvettes at many events. The ones that tend to have a crowd around them are the unrestored originals. Enjoy your new toy.

[Chris W.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Leave it, they are original only once.

[Al E.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Thanks Todd.

It is my dream car. I have other cars. But this one stole my heart. I think this one had a slight modification. Some put snaps into the dash and a tow or push bar on the front. I get really upset when I see restomods. I always been for the original as GM made it... But my mom once said. .. if you bought it and don't owe the bank for it...then its yours to do whatever you want. So i definitely respect anyone who has a classic and made it to fit their lifestyle. I like classic cars...but i love Corvettes

[Al E.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Thanks. . I will try to get cut and buffed and pray i don't buff too much. I will do some detailing and enjoy it until I buy something else to look at.
My ultimate dream is to have a triple black 58 impala and a black with silver covers 58 corvette. Id let everything else go.. well not the 54...

[Joe R.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Think I would photograph and document every aspect of the 54, show it at several NCRS shows and allow people to find out what a real 54 looks like. Then restoration could be an option.
Since the real experts in the 53-55 class are not with us anymore (respect for them) newer NCRS members could benefit greatly by viewing a great 54 Corvette.

JR

[Philip A.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Very awesome car. Couldn't pass up the Corvetteblogger description "Looking at the engine, the 6-cylinder blue flame V8 looks complete." LOL!

[John D.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

$54k plus the cost to fully restore is beyond today's value of 54's...no ? I say leave it alone the world doesn't need another clear coated 54 Corvette.

[Al E.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Think I would photograph and document every aspect of the 54, show it at several NCRS shows and allow people to find out what a real 54 looks like. Then restoration could be an option.
Since the real experts in the 53-55 class are not with us anymore (respect for them) newer NCRS members could benefit greatly by viewing a great 54 Corvette.

JR

Joe..
You are definitely thinking what I was thinking. Good advice. .

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Is the engine orig - or was it sprayed black?

[Al E.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

Hi Chris,
All original. See link below. I haven't seen it yet as im in Sydney until may. But it looks like someone sprayed something on the cover..thus the wetness... I'm guessing. I have no clue. But when i enlarged the image i can see the blue.
See more below. I am just wondering should I pull.the frame and clean it

https://www.proteamcorvette.com/Corvette-1954-NSN-LC/NSN-LC.html

[Thomas H.]

Re: 1954 Barn Find

I was at that auction in Pa back in 2015. Saw the car in person. Has some drag racing history and time slips - I took a few pictures that day.

Opening bid was 50k sold at 51k. Saw it listed for sale not too long after on ebay - no sale in the mid 30k's. Looks like Proteam picked it up along the way.

A few pics from auction day.

54_1.jpg

54_2.jpg

54_10.jpg


Looks like a fun car to have. Good luck with it!

Tom