vin #'s ?

[NumberThree]

Thanks to "67Heaven" for posting the 1979 CORVETTE NEWS two-part story on EX-122... haven't seen it in years. At the time, the story was thought to be as accurate as could be; based on available information from the late Mr. Russ Sanders, which was felt to be pretty darn reliable.

Unfortunately, further documentation was uncovered by others within the Chevrolet Division in the early 1990's that EX-122 wasn't related to the 1953 Motorama Corvette Showcar (Opel Project Sports Car #852, serial numbered EX-52) at all... and those who read the posted CN 2-part story should note EX-122 (a serial number assigned a completely new car in late '55/early '56) relates to a former production 1953 Corvette project, Chevrolet Engineering Car #3951 -- the first production Corvette to be transformed into a V-8 by the Chevrolet Engineering Department.

I am recently saddened to learn EX-122 has apparently been transformed (based on past, inaccurate information) into something it never was.

 

[67HEAVEN]

NumberThree,

Thanks for the clarification on EX-122.

Am I correct in deducing that the co-owners of #003 are both in this thread?



Welcome to gentlemen.

 

[Rob]

NumberThree,

Thanks for the clarification on EX-122.

Am I correct in deducing that the co-owners of #003 are both in this thread?



Welcome to gentlemen.

Yes, I think it's safe to say that is the case.

John,

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center and thank you for clarifying this information. I would like to include all of it in our 1953 Corvette Research Center if that's ok with you.

 

[NumberThree]

Rob:

That's okay with me... but would prefer to see ANY data posts prior to being set in concrete...

Have copious past documented '53-by-VIN info., which I'm willing to share with all for historical reasons... but I'm NOT interested in participating with potential litigious persons (read that as current owners), as has happened to me in the past.

Being new to this (the CAC website), I'm not certain what the "1953 Model Center" is.

 

[Rob]

Rob:

That's okay with me... but would prefer to see ANY data posts prior to being set in concrete...

Have copious past documented '53-by-VIN info., which I'm willing to share with all for historical reasons... but I'm NOT interested in participating with potential litigious persons (read that as current owners), as has happened to me in the past.

Being new to this (the CAC website), I'm not certain what the "1953 Model Center" is.

John,

Click on this link:

1953 Corvette Research Center. It is the section of our site that contains technical data, production info., etc., on the 1953 Corvettes.

 

[67HEAVEN]

John,

With your history as one of the seven founding members of NCRS, I'll bet you'll get a kick out of this Corvette News Article from many, many years ago.

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Page 4

 

[Eric]

Joe and John,

Not sure which one of you was driving #003 when I waved you into position for this shot by the pond at Hershey but thanks for educating me (and Tim - the photographer) on the hubcap variations in the 53 production run. It was indeed a site to see so many 53's roll down that hill on their own power for us to photograph.

This is the photo of your car that I used at the awards banquet.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Welcome Joe and John to the Corvette Action Center

This thread has become quite a history lesson. Going to the other end of the 1953 spectrum I got a note from "Sebring" Bill Herron about a week ago stating "I remember some years ago Ernie Hendry in Naples FL owned #300. It was restored and looked good. My memory says he sold it but I've lost track to whom."

I see that we don't have #300 listed in the Registry in the Model Center. Do either of you gentlemen have any idea what become of #300?

Tom

BTW Interesting that the Corvette News article above says that membership was around the 1300 mark when that article was written.

 

[67HEAVEN]

And how about #188? It's not in the registry, but here's some history on it....again from Corvette News back in 1976.

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[NumberThree]

To 67Heaven:

The Corvette News NCRS story you just posted was from 1974 if I recall correctly (or was it from 1975?). If you posted the issue cover date, I missed it. Regardless, it was covered and written by Becky Bodnar, who, in my opinion, was the real (behind-the-headlines) editor of Corvette News (no disrespect of Mr. Joe Pike intended or implied!). Goshen, Indiana, was the site of one meet in 1974 (and, I believe, another in 1975) following the initial NCRS gathering in Wapakoneta, Ohio, in June of 1974. Both Goshen meets were put together through the efforts of Tom & Sandy Essig (NCRS founders).

The many names included are still (somehow) fresh, even after nearly 30 years. Thanks...

John A.

 

[67HEAVEN]

To 67Heaven:

The Corvette News NCRS story you just posted was from 1974 if I recall correctly (or was it from 1975?). If you posted the issue cover date, I missed it. Regardless, it was covered and written by Becky Bodnar, who, in my opinion, was the real (behind-the-headlines) editor of Corvette News (no disrespect of Mr. Joe Pike intended or implied!). Goshen, Indiana, was the site of one meet in 1974 (and, I believe, another in 1975) following the initial NCRS gathering in Wapakoneta, Ohio, in June of 1974. Both Goshen meets were put together through the efforts of Tom & Sandy Essig (NCRS founders).

The many names included are still (somehow) fresh, even after nearly 30 years. Thanks...

John A.

John,

It was from the Oct/Nov 1976 issue.

I too appreciated Becky Bodnar. Met her several times at C.C.C.C.(E) Conventions and enjoyed her company into the wee hours.

 

[NumberThree]

1953 #300

Whew?

Bill Herron is correct. Ernie Hendry (a dentist) of Florida owned '53 #300. A previous long-time owner was Dave & Carla Foutch (spelling?) from just outside Flint, Michigan (recently saw Dave's name in a Flint Journal article from the June 30th, 2003, Flint Plant gathering). I believe Ernie restored #300. I know he took it to Bloomington Gold circa mid-1980's for certification because it wouldn't start during judging and Ernie "froze up" in his attempt to replace its dead battery (his hands were bloodied trying to remove the dead battery). I remember stepping in and pushing him aside to replace his battery with a good one... he was just too nervous, and, I believe, thankful someone came to his aid. The car started with the new battery, and he completed the judging (GOLD). I heard some years ago Ernie Hendry passed away... the last time I saw him (and #300) was about 1990. Don't know of its current whereabouts.

John A.

 

[Rob]

I'll be updating the 1953 Corvette Registry over the next couple of weeks.

I still have a ton of information that I received from both Noland Adams and Ron Anderson.

Unfortunately, with everything else I've been doing with the site here, I keep putting this project off - shame on me.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Thanks for that information John. I can imagine being that nervous before judging. I may find out first hand with the '81 next year. That is if I can get it ready this winter.

I remember those early meets in Wapak and Goshen but for some reason I put off joining NCRS for a couple years. Had a good friend with a '56 and a '57 that really got me interested. I was at a Classic Corvette Club meet at the Holiday Inn in Fremont IN in '73? maybe. Just spectating but remember the cars. I drove my '65 red convert but it was way too new to be of any great interest. :L

Tom

 

[NumberThree]

How About Troy, Ohio?

Tom:

The 1973 meeting of the Classic Corvette Club 53-55 I remember in Ohio was held in Troy. I drove my new '73 to that meet and remember Fred Rinke (Detroit Chevy Dealer) drove an identical '73 yellow Corvette (SN #004 -- matching his '53 serial number). That was probably the last CCC 53-55 meet prior to NCRS formation in January 1974.

Regardless of the details... did we have fun? I did.

John A.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Yes it was a good time. Nice day and lots of old plastic. I remember that it was just before NCRS was formed. I was by Fred Rinke Chevrolet a few months ago on my way to and from a customer. That place is absolutely full of Corvettes.

Tom

 

[worldsoldestcorvette]

Hi Eric,

Great photo...

most likely that was my brother, James Kirsch in the car when you took the pic...

He had to leave early, how did the awards banquet go...?

Joe Kirsch

p.s. can you post a bigger .jpg of the car...?

 

[SebringBill]

Joe/John;

I really wish you could've made the SACC event at Flint. Having over two dozen 53s at the original plant with almost as many original plant workers was a sight to behold! The first THREE rows were all 53s!

BTW, I took quite a few pics of "EX-122" and while it sure looked realistic and had many of the details I knew there were also some things at which I just hadta shake my head and mutter "oh no..."

 

[worldsoldestcorvette]

Joe/John;

I really wish you could've made the SACC event at Flint. Having over two dozen 53s at the original plant with almost as many original plant workers was a sight to behold! The first THREE rows were all 53s!

BTW, I took quite a few pics of "EX-122" and while it sure looked realistic and had many of the details I knew there were also some things at which I just hadta shake my head and mutter "oh no..."

SebringBill, I really wish we could have had #003 at Flint too. My brother James, who is providing the towing for #003 these days, just couldn't do the drive to get there...During Nashville he found out he is moving to Atlanta a.s.a.p....he even had to leave Hershey early to go find a house...

The photo is really amazing...were you on the roof to shoot it?

WOC

 

[worldsoldestcorvette]

Sbill....

amost forgot my p.s...

"send in the clones"