First rolling off the line late in the 1953 model year, the Chevy Corvette has undergone a vast array of changes and updates over the course of its eight generations. Now, we’re going back to the original generation with a look at the very first production 1954 Corvette, as driven by Jay Leno.
Once again coming to us from the Jay Leno’s Garage YouTube channel, the 30-minute video goes in-depth on this meticulously restored 1954 Corvette, providing a thorough walkaround, loads of specs, and some history. The video concludes with a driving experience, giving us a taste of what it’s like to climb behind the wheel of this incredible machine.
This 1954 Corvette belongs to master restorer Michael McCloskey, who also did a few other Vettes for Leno. However, McCloskey’s ’54 is on a whole other level in terms of attention to detail and accuracy, collecting some of the highest honors available in the Corvette community. That includes the approval of the National Corvette Restorers Society, which, as Leno points out, is “about as nit-picky as you can get.”
However, it’s been a long journey to get this Corvette to where it is today. McCloskey originally found the car in a fellow enthusiast’s backyard, where it had been sitting for about 35 years. Once McCloskey has acquired it, the master got to work restoring it exactly how it was the day it rolled off the production line, a process that took him about three years to complete.
When we say “exactly,” that’s no hyperbole – McCloskey paid attention to every little thing in making this 1954 Corvette as close as possible to original. That includes things like the suspension and stance, which looks a bit low in back to give it the appearance that it was “taking off,” as was the thinking back in the day. Or the minor imperfections in the Polo White paint finish. Even the wiring in the engine bay is the original color, down to individual wires.
Pretty amazing stuff. If you love C1 Corvettes, this video is definitely a must-watch:
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I was wondering when someone was going to get behind the wheel of an original 6 cylinder C-1 Corvette and actually drive it! Kuddos to Jay Leno, always a treat watching him do his best when taking out various vehicles in his Jay Leno's Garage.
Living not too far from Jay's amazing garage (have taken a tour several times in his shop, years ago when we could do that) you can on any given day actually see him driving different vehicles with his film crew in their customized vehicle, and Jay being the easy going "Good Guy" always responds back with a courtesy smile and an acknowledgement of those who'll wave or give Jay a friendly honk of the horn. I've managed to actually catch Jay several times over the years driving around and of course when he shows up unexpectedly at a SoCal car show or Cars & Coffee event and it's always a treat as he usually will show up in "something" out of the ordinary like his Jet Turbine Car or depending on the car show's venue, a vehicle that is proper to that event, like a Chrysler Turbine at say a MOPAR Spring Fling car show or any one of a hundred choices of amazing vehicles he's got to choose from.
I was personally smitten by any of the Corvette's he managed to drive over the years and his collection, while not "earth shaking" like some vintage Corvette collections you've seen, is still eclectic in many ways...and sometimes generation appropriate, like his 1999 C5 Coupe. Beautifully kept (as is all of his vehicles) and yes he does drive many of his vehicles to and from his shop (near the Burbank Airport in The San Fernando Valley) from his home and again, should you be lucky enough to actually get caught at a red light with Jay Leno next to you, a friendly wave or honk is always appreciated by Jay and he'll acknowledge your presence...always a gentleman he truly is a "Renaissance Man" for the ages" and just about the luckiest man alive doing what he enjoys doing every day...but he's worked hard over the years to attain this status and he certainly deserves everything he's got in his possession. Just wish I had a choice of just one of his many hundreds of vehicles for the day...must be a challenge coming to work and finding "things to do to keep you busy", wink, wink.
Love those first Vetts.
0-60 in 11 seconds though. Don't race a Prius...