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PICS - Can't forget...
 
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[Closed] PICS - Can't forget the '54 Corvette

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John Merritt
(@jcarnutz)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 30 years ago
Posts: 18721
Topic starter  

PICS - Can't forget the '54 Corvette

I just uploaded some new pics of this one too. No diorama shots of it yet. I keep forgetting about it.


John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA


   
(@Billy Collins)
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'3' posts...'4' nice Vettes / pics. Love those C1s.



   
(@Ron Dietrich)
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John - do you know how they opened the doors?



   
(@phil-r)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 17786
 

VERY good question!

Perhaps the little front pane on the removable panel pivoted and one could stick his/her hands through the opening to pull on the release handle??? Just a sensible thought!



   
(@Ron Dietrich)
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Makes sense - i know they didnt have remotes lol



   
(@Ron Dietrich)
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I just spent 20 minutes searching google on 53 Vettes- one for sale had a salesman pointing out the features (unfortunately - no sound) but it looked as though the only way to open the door was with a small lever near the top on the inside...which makes no sense at all - unless they were canvas side covers without fear of someone hot wiring it and driving off???



   
(@phil-r)
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Posts: 17786
 

Ron remember this WAS 1953 and people WERE decent back then!



   
(@Ron Dietrich)
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LOL - i wasnt going to say that Phil - but glad you did



   
(@Eloy Martinez)
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Most people wouldn't even lock their cars (like in the old 50's movies).



   
John Merritt
(@jcarnutz)
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Joined: 30 years ago
Posts: 18721
Topic starter  

Very interesting. I never thought about it...

Now that you mentioned it I guess I just assumed they had hidden door handles.


John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA


   
(@Ron Dietrich)
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Eloy, my dad had a 52 Buick with the equivalent of an on/off switch - i dont think he knew where the key was to lock it LOL



   
(@Ed Stutz)
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From "How Stuff Works", 1953 Corvette...

"The car's convertible top was not power operated, but it folded neatly beneath a flush-fitting cover and could be managed with some ease by one person. The clip-in side curtains, perhaps favored over roll-down windows as a cost-cutting measure, were every bit as inconvenient and annoying as they were on the less-expensive British roadsters of the period. Even worse, not having exterior door buttons meant that the only way to open a door from the outside was to reach inside the car for the release."



   
(@Bill McElfresh)
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My uncle worked for Ford when I was growing up and he picked us up in a 53 that was owned by Ford...

I was only about 8 but remember it well.. it was a rainy day and the only way to open the door was to reach in through the Wind Wing to pull the handle ... as I said, it was a rainy day and there was no way to get a good seal on the window so both footwells were full of water!! .. and of course, it sloshed around as we drove..



   
(@phil-r)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 17786
 

It's amazing that was considered "acceptible" back then!!!



   
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