The following pictures and information are from the Mecum auction description that was posted for #112. It sold at the Mecum High Performance Auction in Kissimmee Florida on January 26, 2008. The selling price was $238,000 + 10% buyers commission = $261,800
Vehicle Description
Conceived in answer to the post-war influx of European sports cars to America, the Corvette was first presented at the 1953 Motorama at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. It was an instant hit with the public and Chevrolet was deluged with offers from aspiring buyers.
The first cars emerged from an improvised Flint, MI assembly plant in June of 1953. Hand built, they featured a revolutionary smoothly-sculpted fiberglass body, minimal trim, and the trademark chrome "tooth" grill and mesh-covered inset headlights. The rear was cleanly finished with bumperettes and "rocketship" taillights.
Of the approximately 125-140 cars thought to still exist, this is serial number E53F001112, making it number 112 in the production run. The car's extensive documentation, including owner history and 1953 registry, show that it was originally delivered to California, and subsequently relocated to St. Joe County, Indiana in the late sixties.
A complete body-off restoration has returned the car to premier original condition. The excellent rust-free frame has been fully renewed using all correct components, including the spare, jack tools, trunk mat, trunk liner, side windows, side window bag, rebound straps, spiral shocks, washer system, shifter, shielding, air cleaners, generator, side draft carbs, and hood pop-ups. The Polo White finish is superbly done, as are the Sportsman Red interior, side curtains and black fabric top.
The famous Blue Flame straight-six was originally outfitted with an aggressive camshaft and three side-draft carburetors to produce 150 horsepower. It has also been completely renewed and wears a chromed valve cover, overflow tank and shielding. The powerplant pulls smoothly and dependably through its Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission. This car also carries the only two options listed for the 1953 Corvette, both of which were installed on every car and could not be deleted: a Wunderbar signal-seeking AM radio and a heater.
This car has been returned very carefully to as-new condition rather than over-restored. The result is a pristine and, just as important, faithfully correct example of the first edition of America's Sports Car.