Named ‘Corvette’ in honor of the small and fast naval vessels of wartime fame, the new Chevrolet sports car remains significant as one of very few designs of the fertile GM Motorama era to progress to series-production with its show-car styling cues virtually unchanged along the way. Representing a major leap of faith on the part of top GM brass, including GM engineering chief Ed Cole and company president Harlow Curtice, the Corvette was the product of a then-massive $1.5 million investment in the project by the time it was readied for its highly anticipated public introduction. This wonderful first-year example is the 68^th of the 300 Corvettes produced for 1953 and it stands as one of as few as an estimated 220 survivors remaining in existence today. Offered from just its 6^th owner since new, he has owned over 15 of these rare and highly sought after first year Corvettes. A very early production example, it is elevated above its 1953 peers. This Corvette lived most of its early life on the east coast before it was acquired by a Wisconsin based collector, where it has since stayed in the Midwest. Documented by a handful of photos, this example is the recipient of an older comprehensive restoration, that has since mellowed accordingly in certain spots in the paint, specifically around the rear port holes for the convertible top. The interior has also been freshened with new upholstery and carpet throughout, which presents very well today. Mechanically, the iconic Blue Flame six-cylinder engine and Powerglide automatic transmission have been gone through and recently sorted. A new black tightly fitted “Kennedy” soft top was equipped was also recently done. Accompanying the sale of this early Corvette, are written notes of previous owners, various past titles and registrations from the ‘60s and ‘70s, copies of the photos from the bare metal restoration, original spinner hub caps and the side windows. A historic first-year example of “America’s Sports Car”, this early, limited ownership ’53 Corvette continues to be highly collectible and an essential component to any sport car collection.