This 1954 Corvette roadster, No. 1488 of 3,640 built, rolled off the St. Louis line midway through the model year and has remained with the same family since 1969. Now it’s being offered on Craigslist for $54,500, presenting a rare chance to revive an early C1 with excellent bones and decades of stewardship behind it.

The seller describes the car as largely original and accompanied by a hoard of OEM parts, including the clip in side curtain windows, a hardtop, and a soft top that will need new canvas. The suspension has already been rebuilt, the body is gel coated, and the chrome was redone about ten years ago. It’s clear the family has cared for the car, even if time has nudged it into project territory.

Under the hood sits a rebuilt 265ci Blue Flame–era small block, though it hasn’t been run in two years. The car currently wears a manual transmission, but the sale includes its original Powerglide two speed, a welcome detail for anyone aiming for authenticity.

It’s hard to tell from the photos, but the interior – with red and white dash and black seats – appears to be fairly complete. As the seller notes, the car has been kept bone dry inside an enclosed trailer (and seems to have a solid undercarriage as proof) and can be delivered within 50 miles of Marengo, Illinois.

For enthusiasts who appreciate early generation Corvettes — especially those who enjoy bringing a classic back to life — this roadster checks a lot of boxes. The structure is solid, the parts inventory is deep, and the provenance is unusually stable for a 70 year old car. As a true barn find survivor, it carries the charm and potential that make early C1s so appealing.

With production numbers under 3,700 for 1954, every surviving example is special. This one, lucky #1488, offers a compelling blend of originality, completeness, and opportunity — the kind of project that could easily become a showpiece in the right hands.

Source:
craigslist.org

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