Barn finds are quite a cool sight to see. Whether the owner has simply let it sit, or it was forgotten about years ago, seeing a vehicle untouched for an extended period of time is sort of breathtaking.
Former General Motors engineer Jim Wallace is no stranger to barn finds, having restored a handful in his lifetime. However, Super Chevy tells the story of his most recent find. And it’s quite the find indeed.
Wallace had caught wind of a 1955 Corvette from another retired GM employee during a dinner. He let it slide he had the Corvette sitting in his garage. It had been parked since after nine years of driving and sat for 38 years since then, according to the last time it was registered and plated.
The 1955 Corvette was in rough shape, but Wallace knew it was special immediately. This 1955 Corvette was finished in Pennant Blue and a white stripe. It also sported the 265 cubic inch V8 engine, of which only 693 were produced. It had potential, and Wallace scooped it up.
Since taking ownership, the 1955 Corvette has been sent to D & A Corvette where it will undergo a complete body-off restoration. Wallace stated the plan is to return the Corvette to its factory state when it was assembled at the former Corvette plant in St. Louis, Missouri.
We’re sure it will be one hell of a car when it’s completed in about two years.
Comments
Saying only 693 were produced makes it sound rare, but only 700 Corvettes were produced in 1955. The really rare ones would be those without the V-8.
In the case of 55 Corvettes though, rarer doesn’t mean more valuable.
Well no matter how you look at it V8 55 Vettes are gaining much in Value and Pennant Blue is a highly sought after color.
The truth is even at 700 total cars that is a very low figure when it comes to collecting Corvettes as demand generally out strips demand. It is not like you can pass this one up and find another just any where let along this color.
Also odds are it is a low mile model and may make foe a very good restoration with all matching parts and numbers.
No matter how you spin it this was a good find.
Keep in mind many people today get all excited with limited editions of 3000 thinking it is great. Generally limited models are 1200 and less and value is based on demand. Vettes are always in Demand.
Think you could come up with more than one picture? Its gonna be restored and sit in a garage for another 38 years. Too nice and valuable to actually drive it. Like the musclecars.
CONGRATS to Jim!
– he has been in Vettes for MANY years
– this is a nice find and I am sure it will be restored to the right level