1953 Corvette #005 Going Up For Auction

[webby]

1953 Corvette #005 Going Up For Auction

Any of the only 300 Corvettes sold in 1953 are rare and desired vehicles, but the fact this white 'vette is the third oldest example of the now iconic model makes it particularly collectible.

The market will determine exactly how collectible when Corvette #005 crosses the block at RM Auction's Arizona event later this month. Pre sale estimates have the car selling at $450,000 to $650,000—approximately twice the book value of a perfect 1953 Corvette.

That might seem like a lofty markup but the oldest production Corvette in existence, Corvette #003 sold for $1,080,000 at Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale sale six years ago. We guess the current owners believe the fact this car was one of the first three Corvettes sold should be good for at least half of that. We'll have to wait until January 20th to see if they're right.

 

[KennyGS]

I believe it will sell above $750K.

 

[webby]

It's estimated that ~200 of the 300 1953 Corvettes built still exist. It's just kind of wild that people are willing to pay so much more for the low vin #. I see serial #32 for $254990
http://www.usedcorvettesforsale.com/1953-corvette-41541.html

some others -

From 2007
1953 Corvettes continue to fetch big money at collector car auctions around the country. Over the weekend, a 1953 Corvette hit the auction block at Hilton Head’s Concours d’Elegance and sold for $440,000, a figure that ties the high price set earlier this year for the first year mark at the McMullen auction in Detroit. The selling price includes the 10% Buyers Premium. The Hilton Head auction was gaveled by the Worldwide Group. With 1953 Corvette prices up sharply compared to 2005 and 2006, collectors are striking while the iron is hot. Only two 1953 Corvettes were sold at auction in 2006, including the #003 Corvette which changed hands for $1,080,000 at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale. So far this year, seven 1953 Corvettes have hit the market, with six resulting in sales. Here are the sales results for 1953 Corvettes for 2007:
Auction Model Price Result

Hilton Head 1953 Corvette - $440,000 Sold
Mecum St. Charles 1953 Corvette - $225,000 High Bid
Bloomington 1953 Corvette - $283,500 Sold
Bloomington 1953 Corvette - $296,625 Sold
McMullen 1953 Corvette - $440,000 Sold
WW – Seabrook, Tx 1953 Corvette - $396,000 Sold
Barrett-Jackson (Scottsdale) 1953 Corvette - $298,350 Sold


http://www.usedcorvettesonline.com/details.php?id=19290
$199k

===

but based on #3 going for over a million, I'd not be surprised to see #5 go for $6-850k

 

[KennyGS]

There's #003 in the background being built 58 years ago

There are some unique things with the first year corvettes. For instance, the first 50 got the full moon Bel-Air hubcaps. The rest got the spinner hubcaps.

 

[webby]

that's pretty amazing pic. If I owned #1-3, I'd want a big picture of that in my garage. Heck, I'd take it if I had any 53 vette.