I bought this 1954 Corvette and DIDN'T EXPECT THIS! 

I don't see any vacuum gauge set up! Gotta sinc the carbs

Back in 1955, my aunt bought a white 1954 Corvette.I was only 7. I loved that car. She would bring it to my house so I could wash it, then she would take me for a ride, the highlight of my childhood. When I was able to drive she would let me take out for rides. Well some 65 or so years later and some 40 Corvettes later I still have the addiction. I now own a 2011 Grand Sport with 28k on the clock. Could probably be my last one. Vettes for ever!

In 31 years of owning E54S002026, I found that the right plug heat range and correct float level made all the difference. Get it running on the center carb only, then introduce the front and rear using a manometer to adjust the airflow, then the mixture.

Seeing Matt out of his comfort zone and getting help is cool!❤

I gotta say, I've had absolutely zero interest in the '53-'54 Corvettes. The styling never really appealed to me and the 6 cylinder and 2 speed Powerglide just wasn't anything to get excited about. But then, I'd never really been inside one or really been near one before - until I saw your video. More than anything, I think it must be the unique color, but that car is gorgeous! The windshield and windshield frame, the gauges, the cool inner door panel detail with the knob for a door latch release, and that stunning rear license plate housing with plexiglass cover. Just watching you cruise in the mountains in the last few seconds of the video and it started to click: gorgeous styling and bodywork, stunning color, top-down convertible, and those seats look so comfortable and inviting. Suddenly I didn't care that it didn't have a 4 or 5 speed and a small block Chevy. What a beautiful cruiser. Well bought!

Leaning over the fender with little to no protection made me shudder. Then holding parts over the fender with a screwdriver in hand left me speechless. You guys are truly risk averse. Great looking Vette.

Its amazing how hotter plugs can make that much of a difference. Great job Ken!

If the car sat for any extended period of time the fuel may be a little issue also,drain and completely new fuel would rule that out!

I've rebuilt over 1,000 carburetors one of my most favorite things to do. My next favorite is making distributor run like brand new. With a very good set of points, condenser and I love getting those valves adjusted perfectly.

Matt, nice find. My daughter bought one at BJ Scottsdale in 2018. She loves it. We work on it together not far from you in NC. It’s a challenge! I have experienced much of what you are going through and learned a lot. I’ll leave my number at the museum and we can talk.

any machine you put your hands on = IS ALWAYS BETTER ! = thank you master cycle mechanic .

In 1956-57, my dad bought a wrecked '54 Vette. He had worked with fiberglass in the Army in 1950 and loved it. He took measurements from the right rear quarter panel, to rebuild the left, which had been trashed. He used plaster over chicken wire to build a foundation and then kept adding and shaping, to build up the panel. Then he laid up fiberglass over it, to create a mold. That was then used to lay up the new panel inside. It was a beautiful job. He loved that car and the Blue Flame 6 with the 3 deuces. I was 5 yo, when he and Mom took me on vacation in that car. I rode the console from Bedford Pa. to Jamestown Va....and back. I hated that car with a passion and once home, I made sure they knew I was never going on vacation again. Dad had sold a '32 Ford to buy chrome for the Vette and then sold the Vette to pay off tools in his shop. He always said he'd give his left nut, to have that car back. The guy he sold it to, totaled it a short time after buying it. I now appreciate how beautiful it was and all the work he put into it. But at the time, my a$$ hated it. Some of my fondest memories though, are walking into his garage to the smell of fresh resin. He made quite a few things over the years....some for others and some for himself. If it was something for himself (like an overhead console for his '86 Dodge pickup), he'd bust up the mold after, because he wanted to have the only one. But, I still have that mold for the Corvette up in the eaves of my garage. I like to look at it once in a while. Even after 23 years, I'll see something I know he'd like and immediately think that I have to remember to tell him. Miss you Pop.

This car is as old as I am . Nice to see it going down the road, l know I still do . Love it !!!!

Bikes are awesome, but cars can be contagious once your behind the wheel. And that car is easy too fall in Love with. 😊 Thx for sharing!

Congratulations Matt!!! I know the feeling you had while driving the Corvette!! I have a 1970 triumph spitfire and a Saab 9-3 Viggen convertible! I’m still a motorcycle guy but those convertibles are so fun to drive!!!

Wow my favorite Vet. So awesome. 1953-54 vets were the best IMHO. Thanks for this episode⭐

Wow 69 years old and have never seen this model style Corvette…. Thanks for sharing

My neighbor has a '64 Corvette. He replaced the 235 with a 261 and built it up. So far it runs good and no problems. Using side draft Weber carb's too.

I am a car guy and this is a classic of classics !

New plug wires , new distributor cap and I think a distributor out of an early 192 or 194 inline 6 will work to get rid of the slop in that bushing if you can't find a bushing but it's definitely a Beautiful car

At 4:27 you mentioned that the straight 6 engine was only available for 2 years, which is incorrect. In 1955, the straight 6 was standard, and the new V8 was available as an option. Almost everyone realized that the V8 was worth the $135 extra. That is about$1,500 today. Only seven 1955 Corvettes came with the straight 6. Weirdly, the AM only radio cost more than the engine upgrade ($145.15).

Awesome to see the video! I was at the museum when you guys were working on it!

Seems like the perfect classic car for you...and it runs on Harley plugs! You are doing a great job taking over from your Dad. It is amazing how much alike you two are in abilities and personalities.. Good Job.. Dale must be proud!

What a vehicle! But more important, what a friend! :)

Back in the 60's I learned "spark plug reading" and just hearing it run and diagnosing... as part working on an car. Could hear the plugs missing in video (because to cold. No electronics or codes back then. And yes, need to set up carbs as others described. VERY cool Vette. Keep it for ever !

Nothing wrong with being a car guy! Shoot, I'm a car guy that has never had a motorcycle, subscribed to a motorcycle channel! Great content as always.

Something I would like to see you do is have a series where you talk about old time mechanic tips and tricks. Talk about what old timer mechanics would do for fixing things and diagnosing things and quirks of different engines. Such as talcum powder when you're putting inner tubes in tires, using Vaseline as assembly lube for engines and such, talking about how certain older Indian motors would need different temperature plugs for each cylinder because of how their cooling was, heck even how motors from way back when didn't have the same tolerances as modern engines and even certain tractor engines were made to be able to be fixed by a couple of farmers in a field with simple hand tools and whatever they could get their hands on. I'm fairly certain if any place would be able to get this info gathered and talked about, it would be here with this channel.

This is what classics are about. I really enjoyed this video 👍

'53 and '54 were the best Corvettes ever. My old boss had a '53 and I got to rebuild the carbs on company time!

Exciting video. I love watching you guys living the dream.

Great video! The end was perfect. Even bike guys can be car guys.

With those carbs you really need a Vacuum gauge gage and there are books that will show you the timing and plug type. I love the old ones but they like to have everything set correctly.

Totally awesome, thank you for sharing!! I've got just one simple suggestion, that is, when working under hood please place a protection mat on the fender you are leaning on.

WOW! Beautiful car. I have 3 open Corvettes and love them. You are so lucky - that car should have cost a lot of money.

You guy's weren't too far from my neck of the wood's. Great find. Beautiful ride.

Lots of us bike guys are car guys as well. No shame in that, especially if you're rockin' a '54 'Vette.

Local corvette mechanic pulled out in front of me one day driving one of those. I was impressed how much those six cylinders had for acceleration. Was also equally impressed with the amount of carbon blowing out the back end.

Great addition Matt enjoy your new ride

What a beautiful car!! I did the opposite!! Sold all my collector cars and bought a new C-8!! LOVE THAT CAR!!

Beautiful Corvette Matt. Congratulations

That car fits in just right for the museum in my opinion.

"Back in the day" at real service stations, swapping plugs for different heat ratings were common Saturday morning jobs. Customers coming in and requesting a new set of plugs "With little more Heat" I think many of the real problems were things like what you found in the distributor bearings. Old vintage car and vintage bike, living the dream...s You'll need to do a follow-up on your "Car Guy" transformation

Nice. Too many wheels or not, ya can't go wrong with that beauty

Wow that Corvette is really cool! I am glad you got it running better.

Score Matt. Nice to know you and your Pops are Big C- series enthusiast's. Just sold a C-3 last month. Went through it from radiator core support to new muffler tips and taillights. And everything in between. Next to my HD Ridged EVO Trike. Inspired by Dale's. There's nothing else I would rather work on than my formula designed C-4. Hand crafted machine's all the way. No cookie cutters. Bar and shield And Bowties all the way 🇺🇸🗽🥧

Matt, I don't think we need to worry about you becoming a car guy although that 54 is really cool. You have too much motorcycle in your blood but ain't nuttin' wrong with having a coo ride if you don't want to take a bike. Keep the good stuff coming buddy and get back to work on one of your really cool bikes.

Nice ride Matt,not a 54 Panhead,but a very important car in American history.Enjoy it Matt,once the bugs are gone,that Corvette will be a joy to drive.

Wow, mán, what a nice looking car!

So now you are a "car guy" 😅😂. Good for you 😊. I'm thrilled to see more of this. I like the old Corvettes as well. I guess you haven't synced too many carbs in your life 😂

Congratulations on your purchase Matt. You’ll get it straightened out

Back in the '70's i had a red, '59 283cu powered with a pair of quadrajet Strombergs and a 4 speed rock crusher...The nicest car i had to date!!!

The Chevrolet inline 6 is one of the true wonders of the automotive world. It is overshadowed by the V8 in some circles, but it’s reliable, has tons of torque, and is easy to work on. Various displacements were in production for over 70 years, testifying to what a great engine it is. It fell out of favor only because it was too long to fit under the stubby hoods of smaller cars.

Nice looking vette. I seen it in person this past Saturday when I come to visit.

Hey, I have and idea. Why don't you try installing the correct spark plugs rather than just something that you found lying around your bike ship? If that doesn't do it, my next move with be some new plug wires. By the way, here is how the colors went in 1954: the split in terms of production was Polo White (3,230), Sportsman Red (100), Pennant Blue (300) and Black (4).

Nice, enjoy it with the family .

Hilarious! Could not take my eyes off that flapping beard. You guys use no equipment to set dwell, timing, throttle plate syncronization, etc. I laughed thru the whole thing. Love it. You guys are great! Won't let you touch my cars though.

l worked for a collector/broker that had 20-30 cars at any time. He has a 62' 327 4speed convertible. l loved that car. So much fun to drive. l remember how tiny it felt. The wheel is in your lap.

Loved this episode..... Love that car, I love bikes too. Old and cool is what I like... and that was definitely cool. Enjoy your toy, love it.

wow that red is beautiful. kept out of the sun 👍

Marvel mystery oil helps keeping everything from sticking and premium fuel And drive it just needs exercise 😊 thanks for sharing

There is no "Going Backwards". There is only Moving Forward in a Different Direction! 😉 Sweet ride! Beautiful! All the very best! #SemperFi

I don't think yer a car guy. You just appreciate one of the best classic cars ever made.

Such a cool ride!!

That was great THANKS!

Haha I love Ken. I'd love to work at wheels through time. You are all amazing and this has to be the coolest place on God's green earth

I love this show. These classic cars and bikes are the most beautiful ever built, like my flh Shovelhead. There is nothing like riding a shovel 4 speed 100mph all day, woo hoo in the wind. 😎🕊

Hey guys where's your fender cover. Remember there's always a good machinist someplace that can make bushings, we used to have lot of brass boat shafts so we would make custom valve guides out of the shafts.

When I was working as a mechanic, we would get a car in that was flooding so bad. Once you see the black spark plugs you know that once you get it running good you would have to drive the soot out of the cylinders. 20 to 50 miles. Then it would run "normal". Good find Dale!

Like the car. Glad you made progress.

Congratulations 👏

Harleys and vetts go hand and hand together!l! Nice buy!!!

Saw a 53 when I was 18 what a car

Sweet find. I'm glad this gem fell in your lap, it'll be taken care of. A lot of us old bikers out here on the peninsula NW WA are starting to collect some rods and vintage classics. My partner and I just went and traded a flatside shove in a duoglide chassis for a 1925 Dodge Brothers Doctors Coupe. And I'm half way through a 29 chevy one ton dually. (Cab swapped 1 ton toyota motorhome chassis with custom bed) just a toy to build to have something different. You can be a true biker and still find the love and appreciation of some cool four wheel contraptions too. Be well and have fun.

No doubt about it , that is one beautiful car.

Great job. and VID! Even bike guys go there!

What a beautiful car. I own 2 Corvettes and they can turn you into a car guy so be careful!! They are fun just like motorcycles! I agree with most of the posts. Grab a new distributor and put in the proper automotive plugs. It sounded like you were not firing on all cylinders with the old fouled plus for sure. Enjoy!!! You did not make a bad decision! Just need a bit more time is all

Harleys and Corvettes! Works for me!!!!!!!!

I test drove a black '54 Corvette in Iowa last summer. It was restored, and quite a looker. No paint codes on Vettes in the early years, no telling what color they were when made. Anyhow, after the test drive, squeezing every last HP out of that Blue Flame 6, that 2-speed transmission let you know you were livin' life in the slow lane. In '56 Corvettes finally got an 8 cylinder, and this year the 2-speed transmission was still the main available gearbox. I didn't buy the car, as I felt it belonged in a museum. I drive a '67 Vette now, and like my antique Indians and Harleys, it is a blast to drive.

Beautiful, everything is magnificent

153426 firing order is everything. I was taught 50 years ago to remember this way. 15 is to young, 34 is to old (but don't tell my wife, ha ha) and 26 is just right.

My first Corvette was a 1954 POS that I pulled out of a Corvette junkyard. I put it all back together as a hot rod and drove that thing for 20 summers up in New York. Light n Fast! That thing was such a death trap. I often wonder why I am still here. Smitty

I own the 54 in the poster , Marshall Goodman , Cleveland , runs beautiful , drives awesome

A nice change of pace and who doesn't like a Corvette

I'm glad you got it

We were there Yesterday and saw the New Toy.👍👍

Beautiful car. Congrats

The 6 cylinder Corvette is an absolute milestone - it might turn you into a car guy🤣

You can be both. Car on Sunday for church, bike when ya gotta be free. Not my first (or 2nd, 3rd or 10th) choice, but a nice set of wheels. I hope you get it dialed in and spinning freely.

Right on!

Living in the hometown (Indy) of the Stutz Bearcat I might would take exception to the Corvette 1st American designation .!

Looks well sorted.

You should join the NCRS. National Corvette Restorers Society. Suggestion how about using a fender cover when you are working on the vehicle engine compartment!!!

It's so cool seeing my home in a yourube video.

First, I got to get this off my chest. I know you're a motorcycle guy so, you probably don't have fender covers. GET SOME! I know you're careful but, accidents happen (ask me how, I know!) Second (you better get some popcorn) Back in '81 I worked at a Corvette restoration shop and a kid about my age came in and wanted a job in the body shop so he could learn body work. The owner declined. Then the guy asked if he would be interested in a '54 Corvette that was "taken apart". The owner listened to him a little bit then, took me aside and said, "That car doesn't even exist. He's making it up." Just then, a customer came in and he was drawn away. I kept talking with the guy and asked him if I could see it, if I could have the address. He didn't give me the address but told me which road to get on and then it got fuzzy. Three times he explained but, it always got muddy at the end. After work that day, I drove up and down that dead end road twice but didn't see where that looked like an Old Corvette may be. I gave up. In 2001, by chance, I bought a house on the same road. In 2011, I was at a flea market about 20 miles away and I met an older fella (we both reach for a Corvette book at the same time) and we started talking about Corvettes. He says, "I know where there's a beautiful restored'54 red Corvette not to far from here." He also told me about his road racing days in a Corvette. He won 27 races in a row at the local track! About 5 months later I meet another older gentleman at a swap meet in the pit area at the same racetrack. He showed me a picture album of his car racing at the track and I asked him if he knew The fella from the flea market. He says, "Yes, I taught him how to race right here back in '61!" Too cool! The next time I saw the guy from the flea market, I told him that I'd met his racing teacher and he replies, "He owns that '54 Corvette I told you about.'' Then he tells me that the teacher lives right across the freeway from where I grew up. About 2013, I get a new neighbor up the street with a '64 coupe and a couple months later, I'm mowing the front lawn and car stops right next to me. I look over and it's my friend from the flea market. He asks if I met my knew neighbor and said yes. He tells me that the neighbor was his go-fer at the races back when. Then, he looks past me at my place and says, "You know that '54 Corvette I told you about? This is the house where My friend bought it!" Oh well, I missed that one. I'll just have to put up with my '67 big block roadster. I TOLD you get popcorn!

Correct heat range with your spark plugs , spark gap and quality plug wires are super important on vintage engines.

They used the Blue Flame six for three years: 1953, 54, and 55. The V8 was introduced in 1955 but you could still get the six.

Probably never had new plugs put in it from day one lol!😎👍

I found out with my older Mercedes Benz that the cheapest and most basic spark plugs were a huge improvement. Fresh gasoline, new sensors and ignition system makes everything great again.

I drive an 05/C6 Corvette, and I can tell ya THATS A BEAUTIE. ENJOY !

Have you ever been to the mall in Laurel, Maine? If not, I would strongly suggest you make the trip. You will not be disappointed.