Looking to compete with European manufacturers in the burgeoning sports car market, Chevrolet introduced the Corvette at the 1953 GM Motorama show held in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Designed and engineered by a team led by Harley Earl, the Corvette featured Jet Age styling cues that won over the hearts of Americans across the country. GM was hoping the Corvette would be a success, but few imagined that it would become America’s most beloved sports car and a legend in its own time.

For the 1954 model year, production increased tenfold from the year before, with Chevrolet building well over 3,000 Corvettes a year. Along with greater production came an increase in the selection of colors for buyers to choose from. In addition to the Corvette’s original color combination of Polo White over a Red leather interior (which remained massively popular), customers could choose from three new exterior colors: Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, and Black, as well as an optional beige interior.

This Polo White over Red Corvette has been enjoyed by its current, Michigan-based owner for the past 20 years. Purchased from two brothers locally in Michigan, one of whom was an engineer at Chevrolet, the car has been driven and shown throughout his ownership and was always parked in a climate-controlled environment. Enjoyed at local events such as the Woodward Dream Cruise and the former Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, the car has been well maintained throughout its ownership and is described by the consignor as a very nice and dependable driver. The engine was fully rebuilt about four years ago, and the car has been fitted with a new convertible top.

Still just as attractive today as it was some 60 years ago when it was new, an early Corvette is a staple of any collection of American sports and muscle cars. This example would certainly be a lovely warm-weather driver and will continue to get lots of attention and complements wherever it goes, just as it has with its current custodian for the past two decades.