First Production 1954 Corvette

[@dlflash56]

My grandmother won a 1956 model (First year of the 3 speed manual transmission) from a local dealership (Charleston, W.Va.), through a promotion. My grandmother never drove a single time in her life, and my grandfather had lost his left leg in an industrial accident, some years before. As a result, he couldn't drive the Corvette, so the dealership struck a deal with my grandmother to accept a 1956 Two Ten and a 1956 Belaire, instead of the Corvette. I always heard the story as a kid, but wasn't sure if it was true, until... grandma and grandpa passed back in the 80's, mom in 07' and dad in 2014. While going through papers in the family safe, I came across the original paperwork with all of the details of the contest and the transaction. The contest was a Columbus Day giveaway (Oct. of 1955, new models came out in Sept, back in the day), with the slogan, "Discover the U.S.A. in the all new, redesigned, 1956 Corvette" and the drawing was held at the dealership on... Columbus Day. BTW, my grandmother only put one entry for the contest in the drawing box. The Two Ten and the Belaire are long gone as are most of my family (I'm 66), but the memories are still cherished. I just thought that it was a nice story to share.

[@MikeD-gv4rr]

That’s a great story

[@OldRustySteele]

Great story, Flash! I’m 70, just a bit older than you. We had a ‘56 Chevy BelAir when I was a little kid. My grandpa had a ‘56 Delray, which was the model between the 210 and the top-of-the-line BelAir. I love the old Corvettes, and would like to buy one, particularly the ‘58-‘62’s, but drive a 2003 Corvette.

[@FitzArias]

It is a great story. RIP to your Grands and you enjoy the memories. and thanks for sharing.

[@31847448]

Great family story. Too bad ya did not save the Bel air 😢❤❤😅😊

[@JM-dv1zq]

Love to hear great stories like that "flash" !

[@mcsully67]

Only 1,117 Corvettes have achieved the NCRS Duntov Mark of Excellence Award. He’s restored five to that level. Thank you for your service to the classic car community as well.

[@lordcantiismyname]

Does he have the most of any one man? I don't want to downplay his amazing work if he doesn't but im curious

[@mcsully67]

@@lordcantiismyname no idea. If this one took three years and the others took two (4x2)+3 he’s has 11 years invested across five cars. Hell of a commitment. Not to mention the others he has restored and his humility in teaching the NCRS judges about originality.

[@JDashRider]

@@mcsully67 Maybe that is the reason he is breathing so hard. He’s inhaled a lot of fiberglass.

[@WarriorsPhoto]

Wow! Talk about a true enthusiast. Thank you for sharing this info with us. (:

[@tommurphy4307]

...and for pointing up those plastic heaps

[@fredbenenati3430]

Nice to see 'the real deal" instead of a resto mod. These old timers are imho, national treasures.

[@silversmoke06]

Huge amount of respect to Mike when Jay said "We have a real hero here" and he shakes his head no. He like so many other great American Veteran's just believe they were doing what was needed to be done and don't ask any special attention for it. People like this are the best of us. Does nice work also.

[@jlwilliams]

Just flying an F-4 Phantom off of and onto a carrier (which I would guess he did if he was in the Navy) qualifies as pretty heroic in itself!

[@Sir.VicsMasher]

Lots of conflicting emotions on his face there. I'm guessing its hard to be called a hero when you've dropped as much ordnance as he has.

[@henryfung6789]

The guy is a war criminal

[@serz1885]

funny enought that USA never fighting on there lands since 1700s so if they would stay in America they wont be any veterans

[@natelav534]

@@jlwilliams especially a pig of a plane like the phantom

[@thom-mark6443]

I can appreciate watching these two getting in that beauty. At 71, they look like me getting in my 350Z. We're not old, we were just born before you :)

[@jamesengland7461]

Absolutely!

[@orionwarren4244]

I'm 65 and I have to 'fall into and then climb out of' my stepson's 350Z. Because I'm the schlep that has to work on it. Not really a fan of it! 🤣

[@peterf4552]

I have an F350, and my 86 year old father struggles a bit to climb into it. I probably need to pack a stepstool.

[@stevethomas760]

"Not old compared to a Redwood", is what I tell um. Hey, I'm not exactly smooth getting out of my NSX, gravity assist getting in. Thank goodness for the pad on the door sill

[@stevethomas760]

@@peterf4552 Bought a '20 F150 RC/SB, lowered it 2" in the front 4" in the rear. I'm 73, felt like I was having to jump to get in. It's almost 5" higher at the back bumper than my '04 Silverado

[@bobschenkel7921]

A beautiful restoration, done by a man who truly cares about what he is doing, and how he does it. Bravo.

[@garryferrington811]

It's for sale!

[@tommurphy4307]

he showed up those guys on the line- they built the thing in 3 hours.

[@matthews3547]

The way that man shook his head when Leno said he’s a real hero. Your efforts are appreciated good sir, thank you for your service to our country.

[@ginospagnuolo3329]

I got to meet Jay this past weekend and all I can say as it was an amazing bucket list item that I never would have even considered putting on my bucket list because it would have been pure fantasy. He spent quite a bit of time working on my 1960 corvette, repairing the sunroof, getting her started, and offering great tips. He is an amazing person who listens when you speak, and after just ten minutes I felt like I had been friends with him my entire life. He even signed the car under the hood. I will cherish the car forever.

[@jeffgarcia9773]

Mike: “My parents worked for the federal government when the war broke out.” Jay: “That was the civil war?” Always manages to sneak that quick wit, snarky humor in somewhere. A comic through & through👌🏻

[@catinthehat5140]

He didn't even expect the insult

[@eoinoconnell185]

You almost forget Jay's comedy chops when he's hosting a show like this ... until he comes out with such lines 😂

[@tommurphy4307]

those idiots at NBC

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

Not a nice comment, really. Mr. Leno is not a young man himself. This gentleman answered the call, as many do not.

[@stino42]

Jay is always a stand up first 😆

[@SerPurple51]

Great to see Mike on the show again! He really is the Corvette guru!

[@johnvehling6304]

I tune in to Jay's Garage to see and experience various vehicles, but he spoils me w/ guests of such rare caliber. It is a true joy to watch these videos! Thank You Jay!

[@JamesAllmond]

"no one has driven it except me" - it's good to be Jay...

[@biketech60]

This is what respect looks like . Kindred spirits .

[@MarinCipollina]

Letting Jay drive is the price of admission.

[@neilvetter662]

jay has drove them all

[@kmslegal7808]

I will guess that being on the show got him an extra 50-100K for the car. Great free advertising

[@orwellknew9112]

It’s funny because Jay is usually all over the road. He rarely manages to stay inside the lines of whatever lane he’s driving in - or attempting to drive in. Even though most of his guests must know that, they all let Jay drive their cars. Many times Jay is the only other person to have ever driven their cars. That’s called respect for what Jay means to the car community. Everyone knows that when Jay is gone he will be sorely missed and never replaced. He’s one of a kind and already a legend.

[@bring0723]

“My knees are getting old” Jay - “ok, let’s open up the trunk then”

[@richardbaumgart2454]

😄

[@barnabyjones5161]

"Hop to it, pappy"

[@uzivatel56]

a Woodhouse moment

[@4Kandlez]

😁

[@neilvetter662]

get down there and stop complaining

[@badbiker666]

I love the sound of the engine. I miss the old straight six engines. They were so simple to work on, they started even if half the cylinders weren't firing, they needed only basic maintenance, and you could reach everything under the hood without moving other stuff around. I had a 1980 Ford Fairmont with a straight six. I loved that car. My wife totaled it. I still have her.

[@bobjohnson1587]

I feel your pain! Lol

[@kirkkirkland7244]

My first ride was a old 66 Dodge pickup with a slant six and I was a nut case driver! I peeled out at every stop and even jumped my truck! The starter always seemed to be out so me and my friends push started it everywhere and I could do it myself!!! It ran so good and it never quit and had amazing torque!! If I ever see another one I'll buy it in a heartbeat because it was the best truck I ever had!

[@algrayson8965]

Rolls-Royce used IL6s for decades.

[@kevinburns9717]

Wife or car ? Lol

[@badbiker666]

@@kevinburns9717 The wife and I have been married for 36 years. She totaled my car some time during the first three years. So it's been a long time.

[@BobbyTucker]

I'd like to say thank you for your service, Mr McCloskey, my Cousin James McCloskey was a Helicopter pilot in Vietnam, all the family are very proud of him too.

[@billsherer9815]

LOVE this segment...I can relate..two old guys trying to gracefully enter a car too low and small for them. ( I'm 83 and I might get in but it would take crane to get me out) These type of segments are hands down the best....I think

[@theonlymadmac4771]

@Mck Idyl since a lady separated me from my Harley leading to 7 operations I know that feeling😁

[@wightangel]

Men like Mike get my utmost respect every minute of every day. A true gentleman and the work he’s put into this beautiful car is mind blowing. Great video.

[@trh55]

Thanks, Jay, for another great video. I worked as a Corvette tech at a Chevy dealer in late 60's early 70's and occasionally some 54-55's came in for repair. I also did transmissions, and recall the old style cast iron Powerglide, which was as heavy as Mike said. To rebuild them, there was a special fixture that allowed the case halves to slide apart and maintain alignment. I recall a small wedding ring looking sleeve that could not be damaged. They also had a rear pump in the extension housing that enabled the car to be kick started at a certain speed, something the later automatics couldn't do. I wish I still had any of the early Vettes I owned back then. In the early 1970's nobody wanted them.

[@brendas.1374]

I love Corvettes!!!! I have a restored 1967 L79 Coupe. It’s a 3-time NCRS top flight car. It’s my baby.

[@williamwintemberg]

Wow! Restoring a Corvette to this level and flying a F4!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Back in 1970, I was an enlisted Navy Yeoman, and I hob-knobbed with a few jet jockeys from that era--A4 guys...they were a pretty wild bunch...they liked to party, but were very good at their job...One of those dudes wanted me to buy his 1964 E-type Jaguar...for $2,400 dollars!..But on an enlisted man's wages, I could not afford it...too bad for me!

[@amsterob]

an F4.

[@tonysteppan8495]

@@amsterob A4s and F4s both flew off the deck at that time. Mr. McCluskey was an F4 They both faced the same fate when flying missions. Thanks Yeoman for your duty. It takes a team.

[@stacase]

@@curbozerboomer1773 Same here, VF-33 aboard USS America CVA 66 actually until 1969 got orders for shore duty. Got out of the Navy in October 1970 as YN5 Oh, VF33 flew F4J Phantoms .

[@jcvinaja5542]

Can't believe he drives right where I live and haven't been able to catch him once. I'm going to have to call off work for a week and maybe catch him driving a car. We get to service his camera crew vehicle. Thanks again Mr. Leno on another great video.

[@bobjohnson1587]

I bumped into him one Sunday morning while visiting L.A. four years ago. He was driving a black Ferrari that day. The girlfriend got photos of him. It's still a great memory of our trip to SoCal!

[@jcvinaja5542]

@@bobjohnson1587 thats cool man. My brother bump into him on a red light in burbank. I believe he was driving a steam car. Jay looked at my brother and said "hey how you doing" then drove away. Pretty cool.

[@braxtonnelson5375]

Just a beautiful car! I have been a subscriber to Jay Leno's Garage for many years now, and I find it funny how often folks bring in their pride and joy and let Jay drive it-- telling him that he is the first person to drive the car other than themselves. A high honor indeed!

[@charleskritzon9359]

I remember seeing a 54 corvette at the 1976 Long beach Grand Prix parking lot and I could not believe that the straight six was running! It was absolutely still, but the fan spinning gave away that it was truly running. Maazingly smooth engine.

[@tommurphy4307]

your valium just happened to kick in right at that time..... they shake just like a 235 straight-six.

[@A_Final_Hit]

I've never been a fan of the Corvette, but, there's no denying that this is one beautiful machine.

[@eloyg696]

Never say never ...

[@tommurphy4307]

$40 horse; $100 saddle

[@badcornflakes6374]

All American

[@julianthys583]

This is one channel I can close my eyes and choose a video and be thoroughly entertained every damn time

[@terryeustice5399]

Always heard all the stories about the 1954 Corvettes. Where people had no idea what they had and sold them like regular car. Thanks for showing this beautiful restoration! 💯👊👍💕

[@outgoingautismhowtoovercom8512]

I love this because my good friend Chris. His grandfather worked for GM in those days. His truck broke down on the way to work. Walking to the plant he was picked up by a boss. During the drive he was asked if he wanted to go to a new plant. It was going to be called corvette. I believe he was 20 years old. By the time he retired he was part of the design teem.

[@genehart261]

An old boss of mine had one of these cars, I had the privilege of rebuilding the three carbs while on his time. I grew up in the valley and worked near the Burbank airport for many years and recognize everywhere that you are driving. I rode the Metrolink train up San Fernando Road for awhile and used to see Mr. Leno enjoying his cars. Thanks for a great nostalgia trip.

[@rtflone]

Jay has done well for himself to say the least. At last count his collection runs to 286 cars and around half as many motorcycles. As none of Jay's cars/bikes are ordinary I can only imagine what his collection must be worth. Jay is a genuine mensch. I can't think of anyone who deserves his success more than Jay..

[@genehart261]

@@rtflone As far as I know he's still a pretty normal guy, never let success go to his head.

[@rtflone]

@@genehart261 Thanks for taking the time to share .. 👍

[@davidrodriguez3279]

Gotta love this guy. Went the full distance with his corvette and respectfully shares this with the rest of us regular folk. Thank you sir very much.

[@Tmrfe0962]

Beautiful car. Thank you Sir. Not only for your service to our Nation. But to our hobby. A wonderful Corvette for sure. A real treasure.

[@burridge911]

Thank you for you're service Mike. Amazing work you do.

[@zymmer4]

my mom drove a 1955, 240 chevy,,6 cylinder, 2 speed slush box..She could just make that car scream around every corner and get it up to 60 mph in a city block..in the city..scared me to death , late to a dentist appt some 40 miles away..lol That corvette blue flame must have about the same feel..I love it !

[@jamesengland7461]

This is the baby Corvette. It quickly matured from this beautiful beginning into a competitive sports car. It's the longest- running car model on earth; the 70th anniversary is this year!

[@StephenLoosli1]

Almost the longest. The Chevy Suburban (+18) , Ford F Series (+6), VW Transporter (+3), and Toyota Land Cruiser (+2) are a bit longer.

[@sharksport01]

@@StephenLoosli1 He said CAR model.

[@StephenLoosli1]

@@sharksport01 Well, there it is. 100% Corvette on car model. My apologies. 😁

[@jeffperrault8340]

On a serious note,the car is beautiful and the owner obviously is talented and ANY veteran is a hero to me.

[@tommurphy4307]

adolf hitler was a veteran in the german infantry- still your hero??

[@brotherb5747]

Thanks Jay. Greatly appreciate your love and dedication to automobiles. Our neighbor had a '55. Vette for a couple of years. (this was the mid-50's).The young kids in the neighborhood (Woburn, MA ) checked odometers in our dad's cars after work (not sure why). The 150mph speedo gave the Vette owner's kid, top bragging rights. Thanks again.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

When I lived in Germany in the mid 50's, on Furstenfeldbruck Air Force Base, I recall seeing a Thunderbird with a metric speedo, that showed 240 kmh. My nine year old self thought it was MPH, and that I was looking at the fastest car in the world.

[@scotth6814]

150 mph speedometer but only a 5000 rpm tach! And it may not have actually exceeded 4200 rpm. Top speed maybe 100 mph. Today any grocery-getter would leave it in the dust, but it's a cool piece of automotive history.

[@Stressless2023]

Me and a friend of mine used to do that with cars in the late 90's when we were kids, we'd catch a cab and walk through the cluster of dealership parking lots and just bet on which one was "faster", I even had a notebook with every car we peeked in the window of with the speedometer number written down. I remember to this day at 39 that the '97 Corvette had the highest number. We'd probably be shot or arrested for doing that as kids today sadly.

[@jaystepp150]

Thanks you for your service, and Welcome home Michael McCloskey.

[@mikemccloskey4528]

It was my honor.

[@Matteo_Licata]

That's just a beautiful shape, a car that will make any bystander smile just as much as the driver when it cruises down the road. Can't even imagine how much effort and knowledge went into such an exacting restoration. Mike is right, Jay should be the one who gets it!

[@pinballdan]

I'm surprised Jay didn't seem to want it !!

[@sharksport01]

@@pinballdan Act disinterested when you are. 😉

[@scotth6814]

@@pinballdan I think Jay is a bargain-hunter. Never pays the price of a fully-restored car.

[@stacase]

@@sharksport01 Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Good one (-:

[@sc3ku]

Love the straight six revving! A young-ish neighbor daily drives the most clapped out 67 K-20, and runs up the huge curvy hill by our house- I hear the 250 I6 revving hard every weekday morning!

[@SpideySenses-gb9gi]

THOSE EARLY CORVETTES ARE ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF DRIVING AND EXPERIENCING THE EVOLUTION OF THE CORVETTE . GREAT EPISODE JAY .👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@steely_Bob]

Thanks Mr. Mike McCluskey for your service to our great country & for restoring my favorite american car, the Corvette.

[@MathsYknow]

I'd never heard one of these C1 Corvettes before. They definitely have a vintage car sound whenever Jay's not flooring it.

[@joeguzman3558]

To Mr. Jay Leno cars are like children cars and motorcycles are his children and he loves every one the same and everyone is different. God bless Jay Leno.

[@mrksimm2002]

Jay, You need this car... no one would ever be a better person to have this...if you pass on this one I will forever look at you differently... it's the American automotive dream.. please for the love of God buy this one.....PLEASE..

[@bradboustead1682]

Jay likes original unrestored.

[@ramonalejandro3344]

One night when I was around 7 my dad came home with an ‘84 Corvette and I fell in love. It was black and it looked like the Batmobile to me. Been in love with all Corvettes ever since

[@brucebelitz3451]

I've never really liked this model, I appreciated it as the first but it didn't do much for me until now! To see it in motion and hear it and to see Jay enjoying it made a difference to me. It truly would be an honor to own and show this beautiful example! Thanks guys It was pleasure to see and hear!

[@marcob1729]

Still doesn’t do anything for me. There’s a car for every opinion though!

[@vladtheimpala5532]

I didn’t used to like the style of it but it grew on me. I really like it now. I like the copper color they had in 55. I’d love to have a car that looks like a 53-55 Corvette except with modern running gear, perfect fit and finish and a few subtle changes. I don’t care about originality. It could even be a reproduction body. (If I had a real one I’d keep it original of course.) I know that Kindig-it makes one but it’s a little out of reach for me. I saw an original white one in Portland, Oregon in the mid seventies that was pretty rough and it had $2500 spray painted on the side of it. I wish I could have bought it.

[@erso3302]

They're beautiful when put in the context of 1953/54. But they didn't really really get interesting until '58. IMO.

[@charlie1832]

@@vladtheimpala5532 west coast customs made one for the guy in the black eyed peas I can’t think of his name , but the car they made for him is one of the ugliest cars made

[@tylernewton7217]

@@erso3302 Just curious, what is it about the 58 that makes it interesting to you specifically? The styling changes? I would say 56 is when it got “real" for me.

[@ned1621]

The cars they made back then were just so beautiful to look at, you would never get tired of looking at this car. Cars these days don't even come close. The rounded wings, rear space age brake lights, chrome grills, bumpers etc, any angle looks well. No Electronics or sensors or computers so much simpler to fix. So much less to go wrong. I'm Irish and you would never see an American car here, the road tax, because of engine size, insurance, even if we had would be too expensive and the cost of petrol ahh well. However they are now selling Ford Mustangs and Ford Ranger Raptors here... But Jay c'mon buy that car!

[@Hey_Its_That_Guy]

Jay, thank you for sharing a national treasure with us. The car was cool too. Mike, thank you for your service!

[@huntingadventures1172]

Just love old school I have my Father to Thank for that. Together our love to wrench on precious metal ran deep in our blood and now it’s been handed over to me to fill just the right amount of love in the children I guide into bring back to life a piece of history.

[@geloruido81]

Thanks a lot Mr. Leno! I don’t miss an episode, greetings from spain.

[@-Barracuda-426]

Hola amigos, soi espanoles para mi!! Mi carro es un Marbella, tu que carro tienes? Saludes de Puercodio España

[@nationalcorvetterestorerss2843]

No surprise that we absolutely love this video! Thank you Mike and Jay!

[@joeseeking3572]

Appreciate mention of Special Interest Autos mag - the much better predecessor to Hemmings Classic Car. When I discovered it, I went on a hunt and eventually bought all 201 issues. Collectively, the most enjoyable addition to my car lit collection bar none.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

I agree that SIA is better. Hemmings Classic Car has nice pictures. Don't have all 201, but do have around 180. I also have a hard bound collection of Road & Track from first issue in 1947 to December, 1969.

[@RetroMotiveAdventures]

These older Corvettes aren't my thing personally but I can 100% admire a beautifully done restoration and the man behind it is fantastic! The attention to detail and wealth of knowledge is impressive! Definitely a piece of automotive history.

[@adoreslaurel]

I bought a book in the early 60's on Fiberglass Auto Body construction and it shows the actual tooling for the wet lay up method and showed the weak point on the body and methods to repair splits caused by minor impact.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

Mike looks and sounds as proud of his car as he would be his first born son or daughter. Really touched my heart when he said to Jay that he should have it. Kinda like when a father gives away his only daughter on her wedding day. He must really trust and respect Jay, which is lovely to see. What a guy, and what a car. Absolutely gorgeous.

[@Doc_Dolan]

Personally, I think he said that so Jay would buy it from him! It is For Sale! He knows Jay can afford the (I am sure) multi-million price tag that it will sell for. JMHO ...

[@Rthomp02]

Such a beautiful car! One of the best convertibles out there.

[@tommurphy4307]

the ragtop stingrays were awesome

[@sergeantmasson3669]

Ryan Thompson, early Corvettes were horrible quality cars as well as slow turds. They leaked badly in the rain. Engines leaked/burned oil and the carbs often leaked.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@tommurphy4307 Stingray Corvettes had serious frame flaws. I changed several of them over many years. '68 Corvette roadster, the frame was different than all the other years.

[@donaldreach760]

Thank you Mike, from a Marine NCO from the DaNang area. Jay, your questions are spot on.

[@NoName-cn3cp]

Jay has excellent taste. He loves Corvettes, McLarens, and denim.

[@amg863]

I wonder why he didn't want this one. Does he already have a C1? He said himself it's probably America's first sports car. Quite a piece of automotive history even though it seemed underwhelming to drive

[@NoName-cn3cp]

@@amg863 hmm I would think he has one, but then I imagine he would review his own if that's the case?

[@jimcarso7541]

Seat belts in1955 really

[@loganjohnson3589]

In 1976 I was delivering furniture to a house and the garage door in the house next door was open ,I was 18 years old and i saw a corvette same year same color . The owner told me he found it under a tarp in an airplane hanger it was totaled and had only 22 miles on it it had been a birthday present to a 16 year old girl and was killed in the accident . he payed 1,000.oo dollars for it but his conscience knew that wasn't right so he went back and gave the family another 4,000.00 dollars to them .he fully restored it and won many awards at car shows .This was my introduction to corvettes .I still think it is a beautiful car .

[@VramanNoodles]

In its best color and most suiting wheels, just what a beautiful and superb car.

[@JoseBernaudo-tv6xx]

These early vettes are so simple and beautiful. I’ll take one of these over a tbird any day. Wonderful that this car was done right. Jay has the best classic car videos of all.

[@taelorwatson9822]

I find it so interesting in the world before computers we had cars that we're only made for a few years. The C1 and C2 runs lasted less than the c3 run. I was watching a show where they were working on a 58 Continental. Several cars made in the 50s and 60s were only made for one year. We don't see that today with all the technology we have today

[@mexicanspec]

All cars in the '50s and '60s were one year runs. They changed things every year.

[@thisguy2720]

If I had to guess I would say partly do to government regulations with safety and emissions. Or if somethings selling why change it

[@bighands69]

The auto industry was booming back then and had only marginal interference from regulations. Today everything is being regulated to the point of complication and higher costs. Many manufacturers are not involved in innovation because they simply do not have the headroom to do so.

[@rubbersoul3723]

From your home state of Rhode Island-Jay-where we always love the comedy & cars-this '54 is way more fun & interesting than some exotic super car.

[@gurneyforpresident2836]

Really nice! Love the Blue Flame 6. I agree with Jay's analogy regarding driving older cars. It's not just about high horsepower and technical advances. Beautiful car!

[@rtflone]

Jay's comment that the car was a two seat Bel Air was crack on the mark. The Corvette was conceived to compete with MG, Triumph, Austin, etc. Simple little sports cars a guy could work on himself, and enjoy driving on weekends. Imho, GM never knew just how well they'd done for a first effort. GM's biggest blunder was only offering the car with that stupid two speed automatic instead of a 3 speed or 4 speed manual transmission..

[@David-lo1fo]

I had a cellmate in county jail back in the 90s. He worked for A classic car dealership in Denver and was sent to pick-up a 62 impala in Grand Junction,CO. After arriving Stopping for a breakfast, he Read a local newspaper classifieds. A lady on a ranch Listed her father's 54 chevy for Sale 500 dollars! Sitting in a shed was a 54 corvette all good. Just needed cleaned up and new rubber, belts, hoses, Tires it had been in storage for 37 years ! The 62 impala was Picked up later.😮

[@brunotulliani]

Stunning automobile. Such pure clean lines. Truly amazing!

[@ragtopdeluxezl1]

A family member had a 54 in 1980 that I saw in pieces. It was restored... Engine rebuilt, and the frame powder coated... went in the Navy that year and never saw it again as he sold it. He had a 1978 too with about 250 miles on it. and a 1973 that he drove a lot. sold all of them. I don't know but I bet he wishes he still had them. He owned a Chevy dealership and found me several good cars. He retired ...sad...

[@JayKayKay7]

I remember a scene in "The Right Stuff" where one of the original Astronauts goes out and buys a Corvette and within the week they all had them. The one thing about the F-4 Phantom was proof that with enough thrust you could get a manhole to fly. They had a squadron over in Clark. Loved them.

[@ToyKingWonder]

I flew a lot of "3D" foam RC planes, proof of your statement. The thrust of the engine is what flies those, and the big flappy control surfaces just change direction, like adjustable fins on a rocket. Fun for a bit, but tiring having to "control" things every microsecond and not just let the model fly. I can imagine an element of that with the F-4, or especially the Lockheed Starfire.

[@mikeharman9114]

GM offered a one year lease on a Corvette to every astronaut for $1.

[@JayKayKay7]

@@mikeharman9114 It was definitely cool to be an Astronaut. I guess it was John Glenn that stepped up and took command to tell them the usual fighter jock BS wasn't go to wash and they had to come to Jesus and walk the narrow path.

[@jorgecespino5743]

Jay, Have to say that the owner of the 1954 Corvette did a remarkable job in preserving as I like to call it vrs restoring it. I enjoyed the review of the car as well as you being the first to drive it other than the owner. I’m sure your knowledge and expertise had to do a lot in his decision in letting you drive it. I’d love to see a review on a roadster like my own. A 2010 NC Mazda Miata MX-5. Pretty neat little car that pull 167HP on a car that only weights 2450 pounds and that because it has an automatic power retractable hard top, or better known as PRHT. Original low mileage and as the day it was built and in perfect immaculate conditions. I’m enjoying it every day I drive it as if we’re still 21. Let me know if you decide to do a review and I’ll be looking out for your comments. 😊

[@ericbelletynee5448]

This is a very impressive restoration and a real piece of Americona, well done.

[@craigmerrow225]

There was a 1954 Corvette that had been bricked up in a corner of a new supermarket in Brunswick Maine back in 1959. It stayed there until the original owners daughter had it removed from the store in the mid 1980's.

[@davecolquitt8388]

That car is in the museum now in Bowling Green in a mockup of the store wall

[@timrobson8337]

Cool car. Even cooler guy. Leno’s not bad either.

[@fitfogey]

When something happens to Mike, and eventually something will because something happens to all of us, we will lose a truly incredible Corvette historian and master mind. He knows every single detail about making a Corvette period correct. I just love listening to him speak with all of the knowledge that he has.

[@mikemccloskey4528]

Thank you for the kind words. Mike

[@druidofthefang]

It's so beautiful from behind, wow.. thanks Jay & Mike!

[@rconley40]

The definition of strategic! You just have to love a car restore to it original state

[@vettekid3326]

Back in high school my friend's mom had a 1960 Corvair with the two speed Powerglide and with the two mufflers it had it sounded pretty similar to that 54 Vette.

[@markmonroe7330]

Jay - this car deserves to be bought and cared for by you. Please, please buy and preserve this car for us.

[@murrayspiffy2815]

Jay is on the record as "almost" hating Corvettes.

[@mikemccloskey4528]

Not true. He has 6 of them and did extensive promotional videos on the C-8 for Chevy prior to release. Mike McCloskey

[@johnsteele6773]

I remember that car, when it came out. I went to Lustine Chevrolet to see it, in person. Next to Washinton,D.C., that made me about 11 years old. I almost bought one in a basket, in 1959, but decided not to do that much work. I still think it was most desired car. At 78, I would have preferred it over my DeLorean, to this day.

[@cobracharmer6178]

That's a great story. I lived on Kennedy St. right behind Lustine Chevrolet in Hyattsville, Md. There was also a Buick, Olds and Bob Banning Dodge dealers on Rt.1. I'm 64. Me and my pals would jump on our bikes and go to the dealers to check out the cars. The real treat was visiting Malcolm Durhams shop.

[@dennisheadley4408]

White with red interior is the classic Corvette colors. Beautiful car.

[@2Bunphettered788]

A vintage car with a 99% score is a perfect car. 👍

[@paulmcdonald9592]

A couple of good old souls. Thanks.

[@charlesdalton985]

Outstanding Corvette - thank you both for sharing this with us. And thank you for your service sir!

[@giovanni5063]

As a teen I was sweet on a girl who's Uncle was a GM exec back in the 50's. I never saw the car but she told me he had a Corvette prototype in his garage. I had no reason to doubt her as our community was full of auto execs and things like that were no surprise.

[@lawrencefisher5256]

Fantastic video. I learned a lot on the fabled early corvette. The restoration is incredible one talented man! Thanks!

[@zambimaru]

Navy Jet Pilot with a beautiful classic Corvette. Respect.

[@wheatwear]

Cheers! So much fun!

[@oldbakedpotato]

2 great old guys and a great old car.

[@karlroebling3316]

Wow, simply stunning. What a beauty!

[@chrislemery8178]

This guy IS the master. Wow.. So much respect for you, sir. Your work is unquestionable. That is so rare these days.

[@chrisnurczyk8239]

Love the early Corvettes, always thought them the most attractive. Lots of folks balk at the 6 cylinder engine, but remember that in that day the faster production sports cars all had 'em - Aston Martin & Jaguar for instance. It was considered an up grade from all the 4 cylinder models. Being much like a lot of tractor engines, they had massive stump -pulling torque for their size - great for driving twisty roads. Also cheaper & easier to fix than an eight (I really miss the gobs of room I had in the engine bays of the straight six's I owned in the past, especially w/arthritis now). It's a shame that this car got such a crappy trannie to go w/the engine. If Chevy had a bigger six w/ a good 4-speed, they would've sold a lot more of them. Worked for the larger, heavier Hudson Hornet - which beat out some eights back in the day.

[@seed_drill7135]

I like the look, but dreamworld, I'd have a '55. V8, stick shift + the original body.

[@chrisnurczyk8239]

@Harrison Ashley just about anything would've improved on the 2 speed unit

[@tommurphy4307]

the british-made six-cylinders were BEASTS compared to the chevy 'blue-flame' six (thats right-the name was faster than the motor itself)- a really lame comparison. you can't put some carter sidedraft carbs on a pushrod six cylinder and call it 'blue-flame' and everything is hunky-dory. people are gonna laugh at you and they did. the other cars didn't 'all had 'em' the 55 ford t-bird had a V8 in it- as much of a 'sports car' as the corvette- and ford spent a lot less money doing it. then they went and blew the $$ on the edsel. tractor engines didn't have any more torque than car engines- they were designed to make that torque with longer strokes and valve-overlap. a lot of tractors had four-cylinder motors, too. ford also made tractors with V8's as well. also straight-sixes won't fit in my 510 which is why it has a V6.

[@EVILDR235]

I was working for my friend in his car / truck wrecking yard in 1969. We got a call to come and buy some old cars parked in a backyard. We went to the house where they were sitting. There were several cars they wanted to get rid of. I don't remember the other cars, but one was a 1954 Corvette. It was minus the engine and trans. It had been in a wreck and had a engine compartment fire, but from the firewall back it was ok. We bought the other cars , but passed on the Corvette because the car had a fiberglass body and very little metal. My friend was buying cars for there weight to scrap them. My friend still runs his now antique car / truck wrecking yard going on 69 years. He started it in 1953 at 11 years old.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I get a vibe from this video...I think Jay is a bit jealous of this man's effort and dedication...the owner kinda blew it with Jay, when he casually suggested that Jay should buy it!--and he really should...but I somehow think that Jay just had to let the guy know, that he doesn't really need such a fantastic car, as he owns many other fantastic cars!

[@TheJB84]

I was privileged enough to have worked on a few of these, one of three black 1954 over red that was perfect in every way ( over restored - NCRS gave it a 98/100...) and a blue 1955 or 56, I can't recall. We also found an all original white 54 that I got running and I used it to pick up lunch for a few weeks circa 2005. Such cool cars. So many great memories!

[@josephconsoli4128]

There's a certain "glow" of a high point resto. The paint really has a perfect period look to it. The low rear stance threw me at first, but then it grew on me. You can imagine a wealthy young collage man cruising with that back in the day. Talk about making an impression when around you were big black '40's sedans! That is super cool about the "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, World" provenance! I absolutely recall seeing the car in the chase scenes. My all-time favorite movie.

[@UberLummox]

Yep totally cool. I'd KILL to have Sgt. Culpepper's black '62 Dodge!!!!

[@josephconsoli4128]

@@UberLummox Yes! I always liked the solid look of the car with it's black wall tires and dog-dishes. It killed me when it gets smashed up in that parking lot!

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

"We're in the Imperial, and we're LAST???

[@alexbrown1995]

The way he went 'sailing' out there!!!

[@uski59]

Now that's a car Mr Leno should own !.....hope he buys it.

[@uptownsamcv]

what a beautiful car, the Corvette sure has come a long way. also makes me wonder what the Ford Thunderbird could have became if Ford kept it as a 2 seater sports car to compete with the Corvette....

[@manuelhernandez2017]

They need to bring it back

[@Loulovesspeed]

@@manuelhernandez2017 - It's too late now. They tried it in 2002 and it was a poor seller. The only plus the T-Bird had over the Corvette was it sold 3 to 1 over the Vette, which made Ford a much, much larger profit that the Corvette ever did!

[@solemandd67]

Great car and video. There's something about these that grab me. I'm blessed to own my dream; a '96 Collectors Edition Corvette Convertible, yet if I ever became rich, I'd want a Pennant Blue '54 or '55. The design is simply beautiful.

[@Z-Twinturbo]

Perfect early timing for an episode on a great car. Awesome 😎

[@marquiswallace9957]

Just the sound of it running. Wow. Classic.

[@edwinthompson159]

what a gorgeous automobile!

[@davidparsons5727]

Had a friend who had one in High School in early 60s. Rode in it 1 time, and never forgot it. Wonderful.