The Corvette which celebrates 55 consecutive years of production as this review is being written is as iconic to the world’s view of America as John Wayne and the NFL. And today’s Corvette contains a number of elements in common with those legends; it’s brash, unapologetic and muscular.

Hard to believe then that the Corvette has it’s influences in the Jaguar, Triumph, MG and other runabouts. Johnny came marching home after WWII having experienced the two-seaters of Europe. Since Johnny had a pocketful of money, Harley Earl designed a car with all the flavor of those Euro roadsters and gave it American panache.

Modeled here by Auto art, this model also broke new ground for that company being its first 1950’s American model. The 1953 Corvette was only available in one color and the model captures that perfect shade of Polo White. The most remarkable but of coloring on the model however is the red interior. Red interiors, for whatever reason, have been a challenge for model companies to execute with the results of even the best makers resulting in highly plastic look. This model avoids that however with the colors softened, the plastic realistically textured and the white highlights perfectly matched. This even extends to the trunk mat which looks has an appropriate dull finish.

The essence of the car is wonderfully captured, especially the forward stance and the rocket rear fins, each with a pair of blade wings. The undulating curves of the highlight lines from front to rear might take a few sessions to appreciate. Doors hood and trunk all open, however the gas cap is a clumsy extrusion that reminds you this isn’t a $150 model.

The chrome is lustrous, but the metal bits that really catch the eye are the grilled “fencing mask” headlights and the frame of the shadowboxed rear license plate. The reverse opening front bonnet reveals an engine on par with models three times the asking price. Despite the braggadocio, Blue Flame Special was woefully underpowered and at the original 105 hp. Other GM lines were unwilling to share their V-8s, so the engineering staff modified it with three Carter-type YH side draft carburetors featuring "bullet" air cleaners and aluminum manifold resulting in boost of 50hp.

The 1953 Corvette was unusual by any standard of it’s day and looked different than anything else coming out of Detroit….and in fact it didn’t come out of Detroit at all; the first 15 were built by hand in Flint Michigan with the balance of the limited edition of 300 made in St. Louis. From such small beginnings was built the signature American sports car of the age. Let’s hope that from such a wonderful beginning, AUTO art is able to deliver other 1950’s models that are the equal of this replica.