First Production 1954 Corvette 

My grandmother won a 1956 model (First year of the 3 speed manual transmission) from a local dealership (Charleston, W.Va.), through a promotion. My grandmother never drove a single time in her life, and my grandfather had lost his left leg in an industrial accident, some years before. As a result, he couldn't drive the Corvette, so the dealership struck a deal with my grandmother to accept a 1956 Two Ten and a 1956 Belaire, instead of the Corvette. I always heard the story as a kid, but wasn't sure if it was true, until... grandma and grandpa passed back in the 80's, mom in 07' and dad in 2014. While going through papers in the family safe, I came across the original paperwork with all of the details of the contest and the transaction. The contest was a Columbus Day giveaway (Oct. of 1955, new models came out in Sept, back in the day), with the slogan, "Discover the U.S.A. in the all new, redesigned, 1956 Corvette" and the drawing was held at the dealership on... Columbus Day. BTW, my grandmother only put one entry for the contest in the drawing box. The Two Ten and the Belaire are long gone as are most of my family (I'm 66), but the memories are still cherished. I just thought that it was a nice story to share.

Only 1,117 Corvettes have achieved the NCRS Duntov Mark of Excellence Award. He’s restored five to that level. Thank you for your service to the classic car community as well.

I got to meet Jay this past weekend and all I can say as it was an amazing bucket list item that I never would have even considered putting on my bucket list because it would have been pure fantasy. He spent quite a bit of time working on my 1960 corvette, repairing the sunroof, getting her started, and offering great tips. He is an amazing person who listens when you speak, and after just ten minutes I felt like I had been friends with him my entire life. He even signed the car under the hood. I will cherish the car forever.

“My knees are getting old” Jay - “ok, let’s open up the trunk then”

Huge amount of respect to Mike when Jay said "We have a real hero here" and he shakes his head no. He like so many other great American Veteran's just believe they were doing what was needed to be done and don't ask any special attention for it. People like this are the best of us. Does nice work also.

"no one has driven it except me" - it's good to be Jay...

Nice to see 'the real deal" instead of a resto mod. These old timers are imho, national treasures.

I can appreciate watching these two getting in that beauty. At 71, they look like me getting in my 350Z. We're not old, we were just born before you :)

Mike: “My parents worked for the federal government when the war broke out.” Jay: “That was the civil war?” Always manages to sneak that quick wit, snarky humor in somewhere. A comic through & through👌🏻

A beautiful restoration, done by a man who truly cares about what he is doing, and how he does it. Bravo.

Great to see Mike on the show again! He really is the Corvette guru!

The definition of strategic! You just have to love a car restore to it original state

I tune in to Jay's Garage to see and experience various vehicles, but he spoils me w/ guests of such rare caliber. It is a true joy to watch these videos! Thank You Jay!

I love the sound of the engine. I miss the old straight six engines. They were so simple to work on, they started even if half the cylinders weren't firing, they needed only basic maintenance, and you could reach everything under the hood without moving other stuff around. I had a 1980 Ford Fairmont with a straight six. I loved that car. My wife totaled it. I still have her.

Wow! Restoring a Corvette to this level and flying a F4!

LOVE this segment...I can relate..two old guys trying to gracefully enter a car too low and small for them. ( I'm 83 and I might get in but it would take crane to get me out) These type of segments are hands down the best....I think

Can't believe he drives right where I live and haven't been able to catch him once. I'm going to have to call off work for a week and maybe catch him driving a car. We get to service his camera crew vehicle. Thanks again Mr. Leno on another great video.

I've never been a fan of the Corvette, but, there's no denying that this is one beautiful machine.

I'd like to say thank you for your service, Mr McCloskey, my Cousin James McCloskey was a Helicopter pilot in Vietnam, all the family are very proud of him too.

This is one channel I can close my eyes and choose a video and be thoroughly entertained every damn time

Men like Mike get my utmost respect every minute of every day. A true gentleman and the work he’s put into this beautiful car is mind blowing. Great video.

Thanks, Jay, for another great video. I worked as a Corvette tech at a Chevy dealer in late 60's early 70's and occasionally some 54-55's came in for repair. I also did transmissions, and recall the old style cast iron Powerglide, which was as heavy as Mike said. To rebuild them, there was a special fixture that allowed the case halves to slide apart and maintain alignment. I recall a small wedding ring looking sleeve that could not be damaged. They also had a rear pump in the extension housing that enabled the car to be kick started at a certain speed, something the later automatics couldn't do. I wish I still had any of the early Vettes I owned back then. In the early 1970's nobody wanted them.

Thanks Mr. Mike McCluskey for your service to our great country & for restoring my favorite american car, the Corvette.

I love Corvettes!!!! I have a restored 1967 L79 Coupe. It’s a 3-time NCRS top flight car. It’s my baby.

I remember seeing a 54 corvette at the 1976 Long beach Grand Prix parking lot and I could not believe that the straight six was running! It was absolutely still, but the fan spinning gave away that it was truly running. Maazingly smooth engine.

Wow, a 99 point car. Great work on preserving history

2 great old guys and a great old car.

This is the baby Corvette. It quickly matured from this beautiful beginning into a competitive sports car. It's the longest- running car model on earth; the 70th anniversary is this year!

I love this because my good friend Chris. His grandfather worked for GM in those days. His truck broke down on the way to work. Walking to the plant he was picked up by a boss. During the drive he was asked if he wanted to go to a new plant. It was going to be called corvette. I believe he was 20 years old. By the time he retired he was part of the design teem.

Thank you for you're service Mike. Amazing work you do.

An old boss of mine had one of these cars, I had the privilege of rebuilding the three carbs while on his time. I grew up in the valley and worked near the Burbank airport for many years and recognize everywhere that you are driving. I rode the Metrolink train up San Fernando Road for awhile and used to see Mr. Leno enjoying his cars. Thanks for a great nostalgia trip.

In its best color and most suiting wheels, just what a beautiful and superb car.

That's just a beautiful shape, a car that will make any bystander smile just as much as the driver when it cruises down the road. Can't even imagine how much effort and knowledge went into such an exacting restoration. Mike is right, Jay should be the one who gets it!

I'd never heard one of these C1 Corvettes before. They definitely have a vintage car sound whenever Jay's not flooring it.

my mom drove a 1955, 240 chevy,,6 cylinder, 2 speed slush box..She could just make that car scream around every corner and get it up to 60 mph in a city block..in the city..scared me to death , late to a dentist appt some 40 miles away..lol That corvette blue flame must have about the same feel..I love it !

LENO RULES!

THOSE EARLY CORVETTES ARE ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF DRIVING AND EXPERIENCING THE EVOLUTION OF THE CORVETTE . GREAT EPISODE JAY .👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Gotta love this guy. Went the full distance with his corvette and respectfully shares this with the rest of us regular folk. Thank you sir very much.

Jay, thank you for sharing a national treasure with us. The car was cool too. Mike, thank you for your service!

A vintage car with a 99% score is a perfect car. 👍

15:56 Once a Pilot, always a Pilot- Hats off Sir. F4 will always be a favorite!

I bought a book in the early 60's on Fiberglass Auto Body construction and it shows the actual tooling for the wet lay up method and showed the weak point on the body and methods to repair splits caused by minor impact.

I'm so glad I met Zora Duntov at Bloomington Gold Illinois

No surprise that we absolutely love this video! Thank you Mike and Jay!

Thanks a lot Mr. Leno! I don’t miss an episode, greetings from spain.

On a serious note,the car is beautiful and the owner obviously is talented and ANY veteran is a hero to me.

A couple of good old souls. Thanks.

Thanks you for your service, and Welcome home Michael McCloskey.

I've never really liked this model, I appreciated it as the first but it didn't do much for me until now! To see it in motion and hear it and to see Jay enjoying it made a difference to me. It truly would be an honor to own and show this beautiful example! Thanks guys It was pleasure to see and hear!

Stunning automobile. Such pure clean lines. Truly amazing!

From your home state of Rhode Island-Jay-where we always love the comedy & cars-this '54 is way more fun & interesting than some exotic super car.

Love the straight six revving! A young-ish neighbor daily drives the most clapped out 67 K-20, and runs up the huge curvy hill by our house- I hear the 250 I6 revving hard every weekday morning!

Beautiful car. Thank you Sir. Not only for your service to our Nation. But to our hobby. A wonderful Corvette for sure. A real treasure.

Appreciate mention of Special Interest Autos mag - the much better predecessor to Hemmings Classic Car. When I discovered it, I went on a hunt and eventually bought all 201 issues. Collectively, the most enjoyable addition to my car lit collection bar none.

Great car and video. There's something about these that grab me. I'm blessed to own my dream; a '96 Collectors Edition Corvette Convertible, yet if I ever became rich, I'd want a Pennant Blue '54 or '55. The design is simply beautiful.

Thanks for taking time to explain details about the car.

Cheers! So much fun!

I remember a scene in "The Right Stuff" where one of the original Astronauts goes out and buys a Corvette and within the week they all had them. The one thing about the F-4 Phantom was proof that with enough thrust you could get a manhole to fly. They had a squadron over in Clark. Loved them.

Navy Jet Pilot with a beautiful classic Corvette. Respect.

Thank you Mike, from a Marine NCO from the DaNang area. Jay, your questions are spot on.

Thanks Jay. Greatly appreciate your love and dedication to automobiles. Our neighbor had a '55. Vette for a couple of years. (this was the mid-50's).The young kids in the neighborhood (Woburn, MA ) checked odometers in our dad's cars after work (not sure why). The 150mph speedo gave the Vette owner's kid, top bragging rights. Thanks again.

Back in high school my friend's mom had a 1960 Corvair with the two speed Powerglide and with the two mufflers it had it sounded pretty similar to that 54 Vette.

One night when I was around 7 my dad came home with an ‘84 Corvette and I fell in love. It was black and it looked like the Batmobile to me. Been in love with all Corvettes ever since

As a teen I was sweet on a girl who's Uncle was a GM exec back in the 50's. I never saw the car but she told me he had a Corvette prototype in his garage. I had no reason to doubt her as our community was full of auto execs and things like that were no surprise.

Really nice! Love the Blue Flame 6. I agree with Jay's analogy regarding driving older cars. It's not just about high horsepower and technical advances. Beautiful car!

Jay has excellent taste. He loves Corvettes, McLarens, and denim.

I had a cellmate in county jail back in the 90s. He worked for A classic car dealership in Denver and was sent to pick-up a 62 impala in Grand Junction,CO. After arriving Stopping for a breakfast, he Read a local newspaper classifieds. A lady on a ranch Listed her father's 54 chevy for Sale 500 dollars! Sitting in a shed was a 54 corvette all good. Just needed cleaned up and new rubber, belts, hoses, Tires it had been in storage for 37 years ! The 62 impala was Picked up later.😮

Who is up for more of Jay selling cars? I think its an awesome idea and hope this Corvette goes to a home of a driver.

Fantastic video. I learned a lot on the fabled early corvette. The restoration is incredible one talented man! Thanks!

It's so beautiful from behind, wow.. thanks Jay & Mike!

Modern cars can’t even compete with how beautiful this car is

Incredible restoration work.

This is a very impressive restoration and a real piece of Americona, well done.

I find it so interesting in the world before computers we had cars that we're only made for a few years. The C1 and C2 runs lasted less than the c3 run. I was watching a show where they were working on a 58 Continental. Several cars made in the 50s and 60s were only made for one year. We don't see that today with all the technology we have today

“That was the Civil War?” Jay is a genius

Thanks Jay and we are all getting old. Born in 51.

Such a beautiful car! One of the best convertibles out there.

what a gorgeous automobile!

Mike looks and sounds as proud of his car as he would be his first born son or daughter. Really touched my heart when he said to Jay that he should have it. Kinda like when a father gives away his only daughter on her wedding day. He must really trust and respect Jay, which is lovely to see. What a guy, and what a car. Absolutely gorgeous.

The cars they made back then were just so beautiful to look at, you would never get tired of looking at this car. Cars these days don't even come close. The rounded wings, rear space age brake lights, chrome grills, bumpers etc, any angle looks well. No Electronics or sensors or computers so much simpler to fix. So much less to go wrong. I'm Irish and you would never see an American car here, the road tax, because of engine size, insurance, even if we had would be too expensive and the cost of petrol ahh well. However they are now selling Ford Mustangs and Ford Ranger Raptors here... But Jay c'mon buy that car!

Jay, You need this car... no one would ever be a better person to have this...if you pass on this one I will forever look at you differently... it's the American automotive dream.. please for the love of God buy this one.....PLEASE..

Perfect early timing for an episode on a great car. Awesome 😎

Jay is the best. So much knowledge and what a memory!

Glad the old format is back, ❤this show Jay!!🎉

It's gotta be a great car to get Jay's attention! Great video!

Outstanding Corvette - thank you both for sharing this with us. And thank you for your service sir!

That the paint protected the fiberglass is awesome!

Outstanding restoration on a beautiful car

what a beautiful car, the Corvette sure has come a long way. also makes me wonder what the Ford Thunderbird could have became if Ford kept it as a 2 seater sports car to compete with the Corvette....

Wow, simply stunning. What a beauty!

This guy IS the master. Wow.. So much respect for you, sir. Your work is unquestionable. That is so rare these days.

Had a friend who had one in High School in early 60s. Rode in it 1 time, and never forgot it. Wonderful.

Great episode. I've always loved these very first generation Corvettes. To my eye the front end looks very Italian.

I remember that car, when it came out. I went to Lustine Chevrolet to see it, in person. Next to Washinton,D.C., that made me about 11 years old. I almost bought one in a basket, in 1959, but decided not to do that much work. I still think it was most desired car. At 78, I would have preferred it over my DeLorean, to this day.

Cool car. Even cooler guy. Leno’s not bad either.

Jay - this car deserves to be bought and cared for by you. Please, please buy and preserve this car for us.

I spent a day with an identical '54 almost two decades ago. I was just a high school kid. Drove it in a parade. They kind of drive like crap, but it's still impossible not to smile when you're in it. The early c1s are rolling art Americana, and there's nothing wrong with that.

The owner is sweating bullets at each maneuver.

Thanks Jay! I have always loved the first Corvettes.

Thank you for continuing to make a great car channel. Top notch production everytime.