Posted 6 years ago
Toyrebel
(215 items)
Scored a Hubley '53 Corvette. If the P-38 Hubley I shared is the acme of their aircraft, then this is their finest postwar car. I've wanted one and I got a great deal on this little creampuff. It's a bear market on Hubley lately, I got this for what I've seen pieces of it go for. They're highly desirable to collectors.
It was cataloged as #509 Custom Sport Car in '55 and as Corvette-'53 in '56. This is a serious die cast, it's 12 3/4" and weighs at least 4 lbs. It's a heavy big toy. They were only cataloged as red, but they made a rare, in good condition, yellow version also. IMO it's a great rendition of a '53 Vette. Nice detail all over, good interior, steerable wheels and a nice Blue Flame Six under the hood. It even has the triple Carter Side Draft Carbs! It's got a spare in the trunk. This one is missing the hubcap on the spare, but I have an item on the way that might solve the problem.
It has issues; hood/trunk lid are loose, the windshield is cracked and warped. Hubley vintage plastic pieces, if not stored in perfect climate conditions, are prone to shrink, crack and warp. There is a nice repacement windshield/dash available at an afordable price. Got some paint issues too.
I doubt if this is the original paint, but from what I see in my Hubley reference book, they did a pretty good job matching the original color. I'll need to do some fab work to make something to secure the hood and trunk lid to make them open. This ain't the first restore rodeo I've been to and I look forward to the challenge, it's my hobby.
This is an excellent toy, Hubley at their finest.
Thanks for coming by, you're always welcome.
The Toyrebel
I wish I was ANT-MAN so I could make myself small enough to hot wire it and take it for a joy ride!!! Just kidding I think!!!
Not a bad idea, it would be a blast.
That one is really great. I am a big vette fan. What sort of engine is that supposed to be? Does not quite look like a 427.
Thanks Apache. The engine is the Blue Flame Six cylinder. 235 cid, 150 hp with three single barrel Carter side draft carbs. It's the second generation of the Chevy sixes that started with the "stove bolt" series. I had 2 Novas that had a 230 and 250. They used them from 53-55. For their time they were adequate and responsive, but not a serious powerhouse. The 55 T bird had the 292 and 312 V8's which made the 6 cylinder Vettes look anemic. Chevy responded with the new model style Vette with the 283 V8 which made the Vette a true sports car contender. The Blue Flame was done in a pretty blue with "Blue Flame" script on the valve cover. They look cool with the side drafts, they just weren't street sweepers. I'd love to find a blue flame decal for it when I restore it. I saw a '67 Vette with a 427(rare) in Birmingham about 2 years ago, that's what a Vette should be like.
Thanks, Thomas. I've seen pictures of the museum, I'd love to go there, I'd go nuts over those rides.
That’s a blue flame six cylinder engine. The corvette became a true sports car when the small block V8 was introduced along with disk brakes on all 4 corners. It has evolved over the years and in 2020 will be a mid engine sports car. The final dream of Zora Duntov. The father of Corvette.
Thanks Coke, I commented to Ftapache about the Blue Flame. I posted this Vette after I restored it, I tried to match the colors of the Blue Flame with what U could find on line. The stovebolt sixes were reliable(I had 2 Novas with them '64-230, '69-250) but they were NOT performers even with the three carbs.