1953 Corvette, open or closed driveshaft?

[Tom2000V]

I'm pretty sure a 1953 Chevy passenger car had a closed driveshaft or torque tube. I believe a 1953 Corvette had an open driveshaft.
I believe the engines and rears on both passenger car and Corvette were pretty similar. Why didn't Chevy use the torque tube on the Corvette? Were the open driveshaft/differentials made only for Corvettes? I believe the passenger car went to an open driveshaft in 1955. However, it appears that the Corvette always had an open driveshaft. Also, were 1955 Corvettes with a 6 cylinder engine 6 volt? Thanks! Tom

 

[JohnZ]

I'm pretty sure a 1953 Chevy passenger car had a closed driveshaft or torque tube. I believe a 1953 Corvette had an open driveshaft.
I believe the engines and rears on both passenger car and Corvette were pretty similar. Why didn't Chevy use the torque tube on the Corvette? Were the open driveshaft/differentials made only for Corvettes? I believe the passenger car went to an open driveshaft in 1955. However, it appears that the Corvette always had an open driveshaft. Also, were 1955 Corvettes with a 6 cylinder engine 6 volt? Thanks! Tom

The Corvette "X" frame wouldn't accept the torque tube; all Corvettes used open driveshafts. Only about ten '55 Corvettes had six-cylinder engines, and they had 6-volt electrical systems (the V-8's were 12 volts).

 

[Tom2000V]

1953 Open/Closed Driveshaft

Thanks John! A follow up if I may. I understand that the 1955 Corvettes with a 6 cyl. were really unsold, left-over 1954's that got new VIN plates. True? Also, it would then seem, on the driveshaft issue, that GM had to change the design of both the trans. and the differential to accomodate the open driveshaft. On such a small production number, it seems like a lot of work. Or, were they already warming up for the open drive shaft to come on the 1955 passenger car? Thanks for the info. Tom