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1954 Corvette Performance & Specifications

Powertrain, Steering, Brakes, Dimensions, & Suspension

1954 C1 Corvette

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 C1 Corvette Engine

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 C1 Corvette Black

 

1954 Corvette Car Dimensions

1954 Chevrolet Corvette 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 C1 Corvette

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