Featuring a mahogany cargo bed, this 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Pickup was designed and built by George Prentice, a GM Design and Styling staff member. A fascinating predecessor to the Corvette-inspired Chevrolet SSR, this transformer can change from a stock Corvette to a roadster pickup in less than two hours and vice versa. Power is delivered by a matching-numbers 235 CI Blue Flame Six engine, Powerglide transmission and rear end. Sporting a very rare color combination, it is one of 300 examples produced in Pennant Blue with a beige interior and soft top. This car was purchased by William Mullaly, a manager at the General Motors Design and Styling Center and subsequently sold to GM Design and Styling staff employee George Prentice, who owned, cherished and maintained this car from 1970 until 2023. Offered in highly original condition with the exception of one repaint applied in 1975, this Corvette was the subject of a recent comprehensive rebuild and detailing of the engine, rear end, carburetors and radio performed from 2019 to 2023. Features include side windows, a 3.55 rear end, Wonderbar radio, E-brake warning light, windshield washers, courtesy lights, a heater, hubcaps and 6.70x15 wide whitewall tires, plus a tonneau cover and trunk full of spare parts. It also retains most all factory-correct-type components including the spare, jack, jack tools, trunk mat, trunk liner, side windows, side window bag, rebound straps, washer system, shifter, shielding, air cleaners, hoses, hose clamps, hood alignment blocks, valve cover, hood pop-ups, side draft carburetors, 241 head, expansion tank, radiator and Guide Y-50 mirror. Multiple NCRS Flight awards include a National win as recently as 2020, and this compelling early Corvette has participated in numerous Detroit-area concours events and invitationals. Documents include the 1955 dealer invoice, conditional sales contract, second owner purchase invoice/receipt from 1970, extensive receipts from the 1970s to 2023, historic photos, news articles and features, NCRS certificates and judging sheets, all neatly organized in four large three-ring binders. Other accompanying items include an owner’s manual, shop manual, Chevrolet service news bulletins, an NCRS specification guide, NCRS judging manuals and a restoration and technical guide autographed by Corvette restoration authority Noland Adams, plus an autographed photo of legendary Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov.
