Chevrolet Introduced the Corvette in 1953
The 1954 Corvette began production in December 1953. Although the first fourteen or fifteen ‘54 Corvettes were built in Flint, Michigan (like all of the 1953 Corvettes) GM shifted Corvette’s production to a newly renovated assembly plant in St Louis, Missouri. This plant was designed to produce more than 10,000 Corvettes a year. For more information on the 1954 Corvette see the 1954 Corvette research center.
1954 Corvette Specifications
1954 Corvette Main Specs
| MODEL: | 1954 Chevrolet Corvette |
| BODY STYLE: | Two-door convertible, front engine, rear wheel drive |
| MANUFACTURING LOCATION: | St. Louis, Missouri |
| CONSTRUCTION: | Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, steel frame with steel and chrome structural & chassis components. |
| VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN): | E54S001001 thru E54S004640 |
| VIN PREFIX: LAY: | 235 CUBIC INCH, 150 HORSEPOWER, 155 HORSEPOWER |
| ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER: | 3835911: 235 CUBIC INCH, 150 HORSEPOWER, 155 HORSEPOWER |
| HEAD NUMBER: | 3836241: 235 CUBIC INCH, 150 HORSEPOWER, 155 HORSEPOWER |
| CARBURETOR NUMBERS: | CARTER 2066SA #3706989: 235 CUBIC INCH, 150 HORSEPOWER, 155 HORSEPOWER |
| DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER: | 1112314: 235 CUBIC INCH, 150 HORSEPOWER, 155 HORSEPOWER |
| GENERATOR NUMBER: | 1102793: 235 CUBIC INCH, 150 HORSEPOWER |
| STARTER NUMBER: | 1107109: 235 CUBIC INCH, 150 HORSEPOWER. 1108035: 235 CUBIC INCH, 150 HORSEPOWER, 155 HP (LATER, FOUR-COIL DESIGN) |
| PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE: | DECEMBER, 1953: 001014 |
1954 Corvette Engine & Transmission
| ENGINE: | 3.8 OHV I-6 “Blue Flame”, Normally Aspirated, Water Cooled |
| BLOCK MATERIAL: | Cast Iron |
| VALVE TRAIN: | OHV, 2 valves per cyl. |
| TORQUE: | 223 lb-ft @ 2.400 rpm |
| MAX. ENGINE RPM: | N/A |
| DISPLACEMENT: | 3.85 Litre/235.5 Cubic Inches |
| CYLINDER HEAD MATERIAL: | Cast Iron |
| FUEL DELIVERY: | Three Carter Sidedraft Carbs. |
| RECOMMENDED FUEL: | N/A |
| BORE: | 3.56 x 3.95 inches |
| COMPRESSION RATIO: | 8.00:1 |
| HORSEPOWER: | 150/155 HP @ 4200 RPM |
| EST. MPG: | N/A |
| TRANSMISSION: | 2-SPEED POWERGLIDE AUTOMATIC |
| STANDARD AXLE RATIO: | 3.55:1 |
1954 Corvette Car Dimensions
| Exterior Dimensions | Interior Dimensions | ||
| Wheelbase: | 102 Inches | Headroom: | N/A |
| Overall Length: | 167 Inches | Shoulder Room: | N/A |
| Total Body Width: | 72.2 Inches | Hip Room: | N/A |
| Overall Height: | 51.3 Inches | Leg Room: | N/A |
| Front Track Width: | 57 Inches | ||
| Rear Track Width: | 58.8 Inches | ||
| Wheels/Tires | Coupe & Convertible |
| Front Tires: | 6.0 x 15 inch, 22 psi. |
| Rear Tires: | 6.0 x 15 inch, 22 psi. |
| Front Wheels: | Steel disc with safety rims. 15 x 5k |
| Rear Wheels: | Steel disc with safety rims. 15 x 5k |
| Capacities | Specs |
| Passenger Capacity: | 2 Passengers |
| Curb Weight (LBS/KG): | 2,851/1,293 |
| Cargo Volume (CU.FT/LITERS): | 22.4/634.4 |
| Fuel Capacity (GALLONS/LITERS): | 18/68 |
| Engine Oil Capacity (QTS./LITERS): | 5.5 |
1954 Corvette Wheels, Suspension & Tires
Suspension
| Suspension | |
| Front: | Independent; upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, antiroll bar, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers. |
| Rear: | Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers |
Brakes
| Brakes | |
| Front: | Hydraulic Drum Brakes. 11 inch drums |
| Rear: | Hydraulic Drum Brakes. 11 inch drums |
1954 Corvette Performance
| Published Track Test Performance Results | |
| 0-30 MPH: | 3.6 Seconds |
| 0-60 MPH: | 11.2 Seconds |
| 0-100 MPH: | 39.0 Seconds |
| Quarter Mile: | 17.90 Seconds @ 77.0 mph |
| Top Speed: | 108 MPH |
