09-11-05:

The following pictures and information are from a Rand/Workman auction description that was posted for #003. The auction was held in New York at the Fine Motor Auction & Luxury Lifestyle Expo held on September 9, 10, 11, 2005.

HIGH BID - $1,000,000 Rand/Workman is honored to have on display & auction Corvette #003. It is one of the rarest automobiles in the world. It is not just from 1953, its VIN # is E53F001003. Known to Corvette fans as #003, this is the third Corvette to come off the production line. This is the oldest survivor of the first 300 Corvettes made in 1953, the first year of production of one of America’s most beloved cars. Part of the Jubilee Classic Car Collection.

Lot Number: 785: Sat. 6:00-8:00 pm
Year: 1953
Make: Chevrolet
Model:World's Oldest Corvette

Item Description: Rand/Workman is honored to have on display & auction Corvette #003. It is one of the rarest automobiles in the world. It is not just from 1953, its VIN # is E53F001003. Known to Corvette fans as #003, this is the third Corvette to come off the production line. Corvette #001 and Corvette #002 exist only in memory. This is the oldest survivor of the first 300 Corvettes made in 1953, the first year of production of one of America’s most beloved cars.

Care was taken that the historical significance of #003 was not lost to over-restoration. Thanks to months of assistance from Chevrolet & General Motors, records and documents for the earliest Corvettes underwent careful analysis, insuring accurate documentation and preservation. Detailed documentation was published in the 1993 issue of the NCRS Corvette Restorer by John Amgwert entitled “The Earliest Corvettes.”

#003 was researched and restored by Howard Kirsch and Lloyd Miller of Southwestern Restorations, as well Lester Bieri. John Amgwert, a Founding member of the National Corvette Restorers Society, along with Art Armstrong of Chevrolet, provided invaluable research. Displaying workmanship and material of the times, #003 is a rare piece of automotive history, providing a tangible and accurate account of early Corvette history.

As the oldest survivor of the early production Corvettes, #003 was meticulously disassembled, inspected, researched and well documented during its two-and-a-half year restoration. Completed in 1990, Corvette #003 toured the country at car shows and parades, earning National recognition and awards, including Bloomington Gold, Corvette Hall of Fame and the NCRS Duntov Awards.

It spent a year on the turntable at the national Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. At GMs request #003 returned to the Tech Center to go on display and circle the test track, inspiring a new generation of Chevrolet engineers and designers.

#003 and Chevrolet celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Corvette in 2003, with numerous appearances including Nashville, TN, Hershey, PA and Corvettes at Carlisle. #003 is part of the Jubilee Classic Car Collection.

This, the world’s oldest Corvette, is hand-built, has all matching numbers and shows a mere 333.8 miles on the odometer since restoration (1990). #003 can be considered one of the most important automobiles in history.

Estimated Value: $2.5 - $5 Million

The following pictures and information are from a Barrett-Jackson auction description that was posted for #003. The auction was held in Scottsdale, Arizona and ended:  January 21, 2006. Final bid: $1,000,000. Vehicle sold.

LOT #1311 - NO RESERVE
2006 BJCCA CCA

Corvette fans know #003, the best known and documented Corvette in existence. It is the oldest survivor of the 1953 model production run (300 cars). The world's oldest production Corvette was hand-built, has all matching numbers and shows a mere 333 miles since restoration in 1990. It is one of the most important automobiles in history. It was meticulously disassembled, inspected, researched and well documented during its two and a half year restoration, completed in 1990. It toured the US at car shows and parades, gaining National recognition and awards (Bloomington Gold, Corvette Hall of Fame and the NCRS Duntov Award). #003 is one of the rarest and most valuable cars in the world. The third Corvette to come off the production line, is a rare piece of automotive history, providing a tangible and accurate account of early Corvette history. Corvettes #001 and #002 exist only in memory. Part of the Jubilee Classic Collection.

Gallery:  1953 Corvette #003

9-04-2002:  From Joe R. Kirsch:  "The Kirsch Family bought out Mr. Bieri in 2000. My father, Howard Kirsch, passed away August 6, 1994."

6-11-2002:  You can find out more about the #003 here: http://www.worldsoldestcorvette.com.

10-22-2001:  We received an email from Jim Gessner of VetteFinders.com stating that Howard Kirsch had passed away and the Kirsch family still has interest in the car with Mr. Biere and Mr. Amgwert. He also states that "Ed Tiebaund was not the original owner."

According to the February 1991 issue of Corvette Fever magazine, #003 was purchased by Howard Kirsch, Les Bieri and John Amgwert at the 1987 Rick Cole Auction in Monterey, CA from Jean and Ed Thiebaud, the original owners. It was brought back to Tulsa, OK for a full restoration. The car has an interesting history and the Corvette Fever article excellent. It is believed that these three gentlemen still own #003.

This Corvette most likely rolled off the assembly line on or around Friday, July 3rd, 1953. it was received at the GM Technical Center in Warren, MI on July 7th, 1953 and was issued GM Engineering Staff number ES-127-1.