The prototype Corvette had it’s first public outing in January 1953 and the car was in mass production by June of that year. A Corvette model has been available every year (except 1983-sold as an early release 1984 model) since then, but in 55 years of production there has only been six different body styles. This car is an example of the original body shape. Sales figures for the ’55 model were so dramatically low that the future of the whole Corvette project was put in jeopardy and a total of only 700 units were built. That is the second lowest ever annual production total for the Corvette model name.

Most, but not all 1955 corvettes have the Chevrolet V8 engine. Chassis numbers that start with the letter “V” are original V8 cars. Also the letter “V” in the script word “Chevrolet” on the front fenders is enlarged designating the car as a V8 car. The Corvette in the Mathews Collection is a V8 car. Only five colors were available in 1955; Polo White, Pennant Blue, Corvette Copper, Harvest Gold and as seen on the Mathews car, Gypsy Red.