1953 Corvette VIN 001 - Q&A with Corey Peterson

[@ronaldwarren5220]

WOW! Thank you for all your hard work and research. My Dad worked at the Fisher Body plant in Grand Rapids, MI as a tool and die maker. He was able to get tickets to the GM Motorama when it came to town in 1953. I was in the third grade and saw the Motorama Corvette. That is when I fell in love. I was able to buy a C2 when I turned 21 and a few more later models when we became empty nesters. I have switched to an older Cadillac Eldorado now as I am too arthritic to get out of a Corvette. I can still fall into one but my left knee cannot support me any more on an exit attempt.

[@RustyZipper]

What year Eldorado? Yes, even the new ones require a good deal of dexterity. I use a patented push and pull method to get out myself 🤣 It’s quite comical I would imagine to see me getting out after a 2+ hour driving stint.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

@@RustyZipper 88 Biarritz white over cinnabar. Just under 50K

[@RustyZipper]

@@ronaldwarren5220 - ohh baby! 😍

[@Aztec73]

I saw this car at the Mountain America Expo Center's Auto Rama on April-5-2024, It was a lot of fun to get up close to and look at.🇺🇲🙂

[@mikefurman5334]

So darn cool! Kudos to Corey and his sleuth work!🇺🇸

[@jeffBriston]

When I’m asked how old I am I reply that I was made when the first corvette was made. My claim to fame! Thanks for the video

[@colehara]

Same here Jeff.

[@chrisjeffries2322]

lol, how cool!

[@vacuumtube1954]

True American treasure ! Thanks for posting this video.

[@g-man7938]

Kinda hard to believe that it's taken all these years to discover this is the first, if indeed it is.

[@vernonkelly2665]

i have an ad from june 1953 in Country Gentleman magazine of GM show circuit cars , my favourite is the Corvette. I was 9 years old and saved that magazine all these years. long story....

[@fred414141]

There was a story around when I was a kid that Mr. Springs bought the first Corvette at the Waldorf show. He owned Springs Cotton Mills and lived in Lancaster, South Carolina. I was born and raised in Lancaster so I heard this story probably in the mid sixties. That story solidly plants the car in South Carolina when new. This guy's reference to a 'South Carolina owner' ties in with what I was told way back then.

[@TheTrueAdonis1]

Don't really like the Loud Speaker sitting on a Priceless Corvette like that. Why????

[@RustyZipper]

M’eh, merely just a piece of Tupperware as my father’s best friend calls them

[@GeorgeMoynier]

Total disrespect for a priceless piece of automotive history!!!

[@lylejohnston4125]

It's not going to scratch the paint. You should see the stuff stacked on my '67 big block roadster.

[@stevezilla68]

I think that Vette has seen worse and survived.

[@Channelscruf]

@@RustyZipperThat’s what people say that can’t afford one.

[@Mark-um7ey]

OMG, if this is actually number one, Lord what a find!!! Congrats!

[@stevenhall9009]

I have a Vet views book from the 80s it said the first few vets off the line were destroyed as test mules. It also said the frame from car number 003 ended up back on the production line and it was mated up to a different car.

[@S2NAZ]

Such a wow moment. This history ❤

[@mikehenson819]

It’s hard for me to believe that Chevrolet would let the first Vette to be sold . But then again, I doubt they ever thought the brand would ever be produced more than 10 years.

[@ericdaly4959]

I was an early NCRS member and, with my ‘54, participated (in 1966/7) in possibly the first competitive showing of C1s at the Sloan Museum in Flint, Michigan as a member of the Vintage Chevrolet Club. I knew and regularly communicated with one of the founding NCRS members (Sam Folz). If they might be of any interest I have snapshots (that I was unable to attach here) of the seven ‘53-‘55 Corvettes that were registered. I know Sam’s early ‘53 was at least one of them.

[@gbfan1234567]

Great grandpa painted and pinstriped the 53s very cool to see 001!

[@CorvettesandCassicCars]

What a find !

[@Randy-zj6pq]

does he also own the first pair of new balance 608's?

[@Mark-um7ey]

😂😂😂

[@RustyZipper]

Yes, they came with the car

[@MrMustangrick]

….and the first rubber ever made.

[@billtodd6509]

No but he does stay at a Holiday Inn Express and never used a razor while driving.

[@gregorylyon1004]

He wishes that he actually had the first Corvette built. What a crock of shit

[@dariuspringle2608]

Questions about the frame are relevant, who would change a frame? Why? Still lots of questions about this car.

[@RustyZipper]

GM. they probably used the original for testing/ examination and / or put a newer frame under it for testing. I remember reading that when they were developing the C7 they installed the majority of components under a C6 body and drove it across country many, many times to go undetected. That was my dream job until I realized that I’m not an automotive engineer and have grown to deeply despise GM (corporate).

[@gregorylyon1004]

That car has a 1954 frame. This is BS.

[@a.c.m.e.ink.4568]

It's a well known fact that the first Corvettes were destroyed. VIN#001 VIN #002 do "not" exist. Here is an article from 5 years ago. In 1953, a total of 300 Corvettes were produced. The first Corvette came off the assembly line on June 30, 1953. The first two were destroyed as they were engineering test cars. This is still the rarest of all model year production Corvettes. It is estimated that less than two hundred 1953 Corvettes still exist. The earliest Corvettes were produced in Flint, Mi.

[@stevenhall9009]

I agree, I have the Vet views book from the 80s, it says the first few cars off the line were destroyed as test mules.

[@livewire2759]

He explains all of that at 24:00... VIN #001 and VIN#002 (as well as #003) technically never existed. The first three cars were NOT given proper VIN numbers, only engineering experimental numbers (3950, 3951, 3952). These cars were "destroyed" by taking them apart and reassembling them with different parts for engineering experiments, such as the revised fuel door and adjusting the floor depth/height... which he explains in the video. When people say that GM "destroyed" a pilot car/experimental car, all that means is that they were taken apart and used for experiments, not that they were crushed or shredded or melted down and no longer exist in any form. As he said, car number "2" (3951) had the body taken off and burned for a safety test while the frame of the car was modified to create the experimental Corvette Nomad wagon concept car. So yes, car number "2" had its body burned and literally destroyed, but the engine and chassis still exist. Cars "1" and "3" were also used for experiments and thus "destroyed" but they still exist in some form or another. What you see here is what is left of car "1" (3950), the first Corvette ever built, after the engineers were done experimenting with it.

[@stevenhall9009]

@@a.c.m.e.ink.4568 Ok thanks for pointing this out & correct me again if I'm still not following the storyline. It's totally plausible that the fiberglass body of the car in this video was factory installed onto the chassis of the factory repurposed/re-engineered car #1, which everyone agrees was a test mule. But if that's the case why does he have a VIN tag that says car #1? If his chassis & VIN are both stamped car #0001 then it's going against what's been documented & accepted as car #1 being a test mule & maybe only parts of it being left & reused at the factory,if he has the complete body, chassis & drivetrain unit of #1. Also isn't it suspect that after 70 years & as collectible as Corvettes are and have been, none of the owners ever realized their car was car #1?

[@gregorylyon1004]

I believe that all 1953 Corvettes were built in Flint Michigan

[@paulglock9263]

If you want the low down on the car we need to have a way to contact each other besides here. My Grandfather was the first owner. He was the reginal Mgr for Chevrolet Motor Division for the eastern half of the US, Corneilius Glock. At this moment I am looking at a GM photo of him sitting in it with a GM sir num on the back of the photo. You guys got one thing right...Ohio. I am busy tomorrow but will check back on Friday. Funny story I'd think you'd like about the car. Thanks for your time, Paul Glock

[@charliemurphy3529]

Pretty cool - don't forget to give us the "scoop" 🤓 Sounds like another video in the works.

[@IcelanderUSer]

How could you not know this was number one all these years?

[@stevenhall9009]

I agree, I had read years ago that the first few cars off the production line were destroyed as test mules.

[@livewire2759]

He explains that at about 27:30...

[@livewire2759]

@@stevenhall9009 He explains that at around 24:00...

[@gregorylyon1004]

​@@stevenhall9009 Engineering always keeps the first 2 cars for testing and road tests. Then they crush them because of the abuse they go through. They don't sell them to the public

[@gregorylyon1004]

It's not the first car. Engineering always keeps the first 2 cars for testing. Then they get crushed. They are never sold to the public because of the abuse they go through at the proving grounds

[@bobkonradi1027]

Some years ago Corvette #003 was auctioned off, and it was represented at the time that #001 and #002 were scrapped by Chevrolet. That left #003 as being the lowest serial numbered unit, and it was sold to a Corvette collected in that fashion.

[@gregorylyon1004]

This car is obviously a fake. I believe that it has a 1954 frame under it with a 1953 body. I believe that they took two Corvettes and built one usable car. This is all about money

[@billcatcher2701]

So, what was the original exterior (and interior) color of this 001 vette?

[@JamesAllmond]

White is the only color the 1st year came in.

[@pedroballadares5253]

Polo white !

[@joca6282]

Red interior only.

[@joegarrett8166]

Did that car come out of Amarillo Texas? I heard 30+ years ago that the 001 car was there near downtown Amarillo.

[@gregorylyon1004]

Lies. Engineering always keeps the first 2 cars off the assembly line. They are for testing and inspected by the government for safety. After testing the cars are crushed. GM never sells experimental cars

[@williamcooper2368]

001- UNREAL

[@gregorylyon1004]

This is not the first Corvette built. Engineering always keeps the first 2 cars off the assembly line. They get tested and then crushed. GM never sells test cars to the public

[@dadsrock4252]

The #3 car is in Vancouver washington.the man that own,s the car his name is Fred .

[@dadsrock4252]

He lives on the corner of Helena and Idaho on the north west corner thanks.

[@moddenicm]

Where is this talk taking place

[@louispaparella5766]

Ask John Neas about verifying documentation of early Vettes...

[@frankdillon6127]

on all the other known cars, where are the serial numbers at, this might be a good place to start looking for numbers on this car.

[@RustyZipper]

Did you watch the video? 🤷‍♂️

[@frankdillon6127]

@@RustyZipper yes noted that the frame was replaced and no number was seen. just need more proof that this is #001. hope it is!

[@RustyZipper]

@@frankdillon6127 - prove it’s not …

[@dadsrock4252]

Fred and his brother bought it in Hawaii and had it shipped to the states after his brother passed .

[@JamesAllmond]

Uh, Hawaii is a state.

[@pinheadjohnny5190]

The bad thing is that someone attached a huge speaker on the back of that car. Shame on them!!

[@nrakma]

Where is the John Wayne car?

[@anthonyperkins3527]

I wish someone had asked what Corey thought the value of the '53 was.

[@gregorylyon1004]

I believe that this car is a 1954

[@timr31908]

Looks like a glorified crossley... With its 6 cylinder engine pretty funky

[@lelanburns6182]

How much do you want for it? What do you think it's worth?

[@gregorylyon1004]

This car is a fraud. It's been faked using parts from 2 cars. They obviously used a 1953 body and put it on a 1954 frame

[@robnamowicz8073]

A few cars slipped the crusher, ending up at Morlan's body shop in Holly Michigan. Long ago memories, very hush hush. Lots of folks from our area worked at the Proving Grounds. This could have been one of those escapees. GM mysteries, big company, lots of slippage.

[@gregorylyon1004]

BS. Not in 1953

[@billtodd6509]

My rich neighbor bought a new 1953 Corvette and had a hitch installed and hauled his 1 horse trailer around Western Pa and Northern Wva to the race tracks. His name was Morgan, and he complained that he had to keep the top down because it was too low for his 10 gallon cowboy hat.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

Talking about the cart before the horse!😂

[@extman29]

I thought 003 was the oldest Corvette known.

[@gregorylyon1004]

Car #003 is the lowest number car that still exists. This car here is a fake. It's not car #001. This old fart is looking for money to be made selling it to a collector. This car has a 1954 frame under it. It's a fake

[@jeffmullinix7916]

I would put back the way it came off the assembly line . All that stuff they did to it after the fact is not the car . I would keep the parts though and those part will stay with the car .

[@jessieismyfriend]

its NOT 001

[@gregorylyon1004]

It's a 1954

[@damonkatos4271]

Old vettes drive like a worn out pickup

[@timr31908]

It looks like one also

[@RustyZipper]

It’s 70 years old….brand New vette’s be junk in 30 years because of all the electrical components failing

[@Eastern67]

OO stands for "OOH My God" 😐😐

[@vargasjohnson540]

So are we talking that this is the Corvette that is featured in this First Corvette Being Build 1953 video? It starts out with what I guess are engineers inspecting the license plate part, maybe talking about how best to improve it. It also show a flat floor, which would correspond to the floor being cut out and lowered 3/4 of an inch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hancqmuVgJVmrZI

[@gregorylyon1004]

I believe that it's a 1954 Corvette

[@pennywise8182]

I thought NASCAR owner Rick Hendrick owned the first Corvette?

[@melockavich9596]

please paint it

[@edwinwise6751]

I worked at a dealership where a pristine example of that car sat 5’ from my office door . While certainly a piece of history , those cars were really a weak entry into that market and the sales reflected it . To big, poor handling , underpowered , expensive and lousy build . Like when GM tried to enter the small car market with chevette

[@mrliberty8468]

Why do you let it look so dirty?

[@gregorylyon1004]

It's a non restored car

[@RBOJCK]

HEADLIGHT COVERS HAVE SERIAL NUMBER ON THEM. IM SURE U CHECKED THERE BUT DID U? RAISE IT OFF THE FRAME AND CLEAR THIS UP.

[@SMH24.7]

So scripted. So fishy.

[@gregorylyon1004]

This car obviously has a 1954 frame under it. It's a fake

[@steveprescott3374]

The 1953 corvette was on display in my hometown and nobody thought it was anything special. Still isn't. Beloved by us all but ugly as hell. Sorry...

[@dobermanpac1064]

Not going to the bank yet…where’s Chevrolet today??

[@VerifiedVIPMember]

Needs paint

[@hammertime7834]

james freeman youtube channel

[@jeffreymagyar3990]

I'm calling bs I don't think it's #1

[@RustyZipper]

Prove it …

[@gregorylyon1004]

​@@RustyZipperthis car has a 1954 frame under it

[@gregorylyon1004]

Fake. It's a 1954. It has a 1954 frame under it.

[@RustyZipper]

@@gregorylyon1004 - probably replaced the tires too…

[@mangopog9814]

Who cares, paint it and enjoy driving the vett, I’d never just have an investment cars are for driving and fun.

[@a.c.m.e.ink.4568]

It's a fake!! The first (2) 1953 were destroyed!!

[@brettemerich3237]

If it’s a fake then show us the proof.

[@a.c.m.e.ink.4568]

@@brettemerich3237 It's a well known fact that the first Corvettes were destroyed. VIN#001 VIN #002 do "not" exist. Here is an article from 5 years ago. In 1953, a total of 300 Corvettes were produced. The first Corvette came off the assembly line on June 30, 1953. The first two were destroyed as they were engineering test cars. This is still the rarest of all model year production Corvettes. It is estimated that less than two hundred 1953 Corvettes still exist.

[@RustyZipper]

My neighbor’s cousin’s uncle’s half brother used to deliver newspapers to the Corvette plant and he saw them on fire…

[@warrenwatkins9650]

​@@RustyZipperWell my "neighbor's, cousin's, aunt's half sister's friend's dog" says "You're out of your flea bitten human mind"! 😂

[@tomperkins5657]

@@RustyZipper HARRR!!!

[@MichaelPruitt-mg3sj]

Wow this bull shit

[@gregorylyon1004]

It's a 1954

[@mikeh5039]

Bs

[@TheProgrammerGuy]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@tigerbeforyou181]

So if this corvette , you call 001. It’s a Frankenstein of a 1953? Corvette. The number is a number you came up with. On 6/30/1953 a car, maybe part of this car, came off the assembly line. Cool maybe, number 001. Or not maybe.

[@gregorylyon1004]

Engineering always keeps the first 2 cars for testing and inspection by the federal government as a new car model. This car is a fake. It has a 1954 frame under it. It's a 1954 dude

[@drewcipher666]

I'll give you 5 Gretzky rookie cards a Shoeless Joe World Series worn jersey a Babe Ruth home rum bat and 50 packs of unopened Tang from the Apollo 13 mission

[@RBOJCK]

LOOKS LIKE ITS VIN NUMBER 10, MISSTAMPED AS 01

[@gregorylyon1004]

The only car #01 that exists is the general Lee from the Dukes of Hazard. LOL

[@RBOJCK]

LOOK UNDER THE DASH, BACK OF INSTERMENTS, DATE CODES OR NUMBERS ETC.