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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
'3' posts...'4' nice Vettes / pics. Love those C1s.
John - do you know how they opened the doors?
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!
Makes sense - i know they didnt have remotes lol
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???
Ron remember this WAS 1953 and people WERE decent back then!
LOL - i wasnt going to say that Phil - but glad you did
Most people wouldn't even lock their cars (like in the old 50's movies).
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
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
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."
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..
It's amazing that was considered "acceptible" back then!!!