Historical photo examples of early model Corvettes produced and modified for use around the world. This site features Corvettes that were produced for VIP's, Kings, Ambassadors, a Prince and Export GM Show Cars. See the differences of the Export Corvettes vs the USA versions. Also as thirty plus years of collecting has rolled by,information on the export Corvair, Camaro, Chevrolet and Buick have been included. Also there is some Ford and Chrysler pictures included.
Date(s): 1953 - 1982. Album by James Hurt. Photos by Various Contributers. 25 - 48 of 362 Total. 5285 Visits.
25 Styling exercise? Photo dated Nov 1, 1955. Note rear side exhaust in fenders like the Bertil car. The Bertil was delivered to the Prince, in Sweden, on May 29, 1956.
26 Paris Auto Show 1951, color shot The LeSabre, two years before the 1953 Corvette arrived in Paris
27 1951 LeSabre - Paris Auto Show The GM display at the 1951 Paris Auto Show featured the LeSabre. This "one off" was a predeccessor to the early Corvette. Two years later (1953) the first Corvette is on display at the same Paris Auto Show.
28 General Eisenhower -LeSabre-Paris In 1952, General Eisenhower inspects the GM LeSabre while in France. Eisenhower became President of the United States in 1953
29 Fit for a KING ! King Hussein of Jordon seated in the 1951 LeSabre. The King was a sports car collector. Vette Vues reported that King Hussein owned a 1967 Export Corvette, white with blue interior, L88 engine. The story goes that the car was crashed in the mountains of Jordan.
30 King Hussein King Hussein of Jordon, pictured in the 1951 LeSabre, also owner of an L88 1967 Corvette. It was good public relations to have famous persons driving Corvettes, all around the world !
31 King Hussein of Jordon One of many sports cars owned by the King.
32 King Hussein of Jordon Parade Car
33 King Leopold III & The LaSabre King Leopold looks over the LeSabre
34 King Leopold III The King and his group inspect the LeSabre while the LeSabre is on tour in Europe. VIP's and GM toys go together! Great for sales!
35 First Export ? Maybe, Maybe not? I am often asked "what was the first Corvette exported" Serveral early Corvettes claim to be the first, I do not know! This Corvette is one of the first 50 Corvettes produced. This Corvette was shipped to GM France and used as a display unit introducing the new Corvette to Europe in 1953
36 1953 French Corvette Reported to be the "First GM Export" Corvette. This is one of the first 50 Corvettes produced. It was exported to GM France for display at the 1953 Paris Auto Show.
37 France Plate Close up of the plate affixed to the 1953 Corvette FRANCE
38 1953 French Corvette Note the FRANCE front plate displayed on the front of this Corvette. Compare the photo to the 1951 LeSabre photo. Similar display set up.
39 1954 Corvette-GM- Chuck Jordon This is not an export, I just added as this is a SILVER Corvette in 1954. Later owned by a GM employee. Note the headlamp cover/single bar! 1957 was the first year for Inca Silver regular production Corvettes.
40 CORVETTE ENTHUSIAST ARTICLE Buy yourself a copy of the Corvette Enthusiast Magazine, FEB 2010 edition. There is a complete story on this rare silver '54.
41 Experimental Headlamp cover Single bar covers headlamp on this 1954 Corvette
42 1954 Corvette, serial #46 1954 Corvette shipped to Austria. This may be a Corvette that was shipped by a private owner vs General Motors. The Corvette does not have a GM homologation plant or kilo speedo. The Corvette does have some Euro modifications. The Corvette has been restored and is near perfect.
43 1954 Export Corvette #46 Note the large opening in the trunk area for the wide Euro plate, also see the rear reflectors (4)
44 1954 Export #46 Early Corvette in Europe with modifications. Car still in Europe, restored condition.
45 1954 One Off Corvette-Swiss GM GM ONE OFF production, 1954 aluminum bodied Corvette,prepared for Swiss GM by Ghia. Corvette Prototype Hardtop, built for the 1957 Geneva Switzerland Car Show. Special aluminum body, kilometer speedo, Borrani wire wheels. Designed by Giovanni, built by Ghia Aigle / GM Suisse, purchased from the family of the original owner. Six cylinder, manual transmission
46 1954 Aluminum bodied Corvette GM ONE OFF production, 1954 aluminum bodied Corvette,prepared for Swiss GM by Ghia. Corvette Prototype Hardtop, built for the 1957 Geneva Switzerland Car Show. Special aluminum body, kilometer speedo, Borrani wire wheels. Designed by Giovanni, built by Ghia Aigle / GM Suisse, purchased from the family of the original owner. Six cylinder, manual transmission
47 1954 Swiss One Off Corvette GM ONE OFF production, 1954 aluminum bodied Corvette,prepared for Swiss GM by Ghia. Corvette Prototype Hardtop, built for the 1957 Geneva Switzerland Car Show. Special aluminum body, kilometer speedo, Borrani wire wheels. Designed by Giovanni, built by Ghia Aigle / GM Suisse, purchased from the family of the original owner. Six cylinder, manual transmission
48 Interior 54 Swiss Corvette One Off, especially designed interior for this GM show car.
Hi! Great site. I own a Antwerp Corvette 64 cab. The funny with this corvette is that it always have had the 65 instrumentation with Km speedometer etc. and the harness is also consistent with the 1965 and this since it were imported to Sweden 1975. Mail me and I can send images / data. Lars-Goran, Sweden - Lars Goran Karlsson | www.kitfox.eu, Thu, 29 Nov 2012 1:54PM
Superb website you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I'd really like to be a part of group where I can get feedback from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Kudos! - organic essential oils | http://beyond-within.com, Thu, 12 Jul 2012 8:23PM
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Have 65 fuel injected Corvette purchased from Harry Hood. - Robert Atkins, Mon, 21 Nov 2011 5:50PM
Great job on your export website. I enjoyed reviewing some of the neat cars that were sold overseas.
Regards, Dave Gray Carlisle, Pa. - David Gray, Mon, 22 Aug 2011 4:20PM
Nice pictures and stories.Would anybody know where I can find details of my 1957 Chevrolet that starts his live on the Antwerp plant.Have the original tagplate on the firewall but couldn't find any details about it on the Chevrolet forums and sites in the USA.Need as much info as possible to get the car registrated and roadlegal in Holland because of new rules here since august this year.Thanks a lot - Peter, Wed, 1 Dec 2010 11:22AM
Very nice! I have the dates of the Prince Bertil Tech Center visit and Buick drive with Zora photos and the circumstances surrounding who alsois in the photo and why if you are interested. - Ken Kayser | www.tachometerpress.com, Sun, 20 Dec 2009 1:22PM
Thanks for the pics! Great gallery and info! I think we have discussed something like 7-8 years ago about this subject? Send me e-mail! I'd love to have update on your latest discoveries!
