The Corvette legend was powered by V8 engines, but it was an inline six-cylinder that started it all. Chevrolet’s 235-cu.in. six-cylinder was the only engine available in the Corvette for 1953 and ’54. In ’55, the 265 V8 was offered as an option and most of the 700 Corvettes built were equipped with a small-block, leading to the disappearance of the inline engine in ’56. More than 60 years (and still) later, every Corvette has a V8 under the hood, despite persistent rumors for decades that a V6 might be coming. The Blue Flame Six was not the most fiery engine ever to power Chevrolet’s long-running sports car, but it was made hotter than its passenger car counterparts thanks to adjustments and special details applied by the engineering team that developed the first Corvette.1. A special valve cover for the ’53 Corvette six-cylinder had rounded ends, cutouts for the fastening nuts, and the oil filler opening was moved to the rear. This is now a rare Chevrolet engine cover piece.
2. A mechanical camshaft with .405/.414 lift, a compression increase from 7.5:1 to 8:1, and dual exhausts coming from a two-channel exhaust manifold helped boost power from 115 to 150 hp.
3. To keep the engine profile low, three Carter YH-2066-S side single-barrel carburetors were mounted on an aluminum intake manifold. Fuel was fed by a mechanical double-acting pump.
4. The Corvette engine was based on the six-cylinder combined with Powerglides in passenger cars, so it had full pressure lubrication and aluminum pistons. However, the passenger car engine used a hydraulic camshaft and a fiber gear. The ’Vette engine had solid lifters and an aluminum gear.
5. Due to the lack of shielding from the fiberglass body, radio interference from ignition was a problem, so the Corvette engine had a stamped shield covering the distributor, coil, and wires.
6. The radiator was low-profile, so the expansion tank was mounted next to the valve cover. The Corvette water pump and fan were also special, designed for high performance in a compact size.
SPECIFICATIONS
1953 Chevrolet Corvette Blue Flame Six
Type: Inline six-cylinder; cast iron block and head
Displacement: 235.5 cu.in.
Bore and stroke: 3-9/16 X 3-15/16 inch
Compression: 8:1
Power: 150 hp @ 4,200 rpm
Torque: 223 lb-ft @ 2,400 rpm
Pistons: Cast aluminum with steel supports
Connecting rods: Forged steel
Camshaft: Mechanical with aluminum gear
Carburation: Three side single-barrel carburetors
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15% down payment · APR 6.50% · 60 months · To finance: 72,250.00 € · Total payable: 97,569.25 €
Note, borrowing money also costs money.
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The Corvette legend was powered by V8 engines, but it was an inline six-cylinder that started it all. Chevrolet’s 235-cu.in. six-cylinder was the only engine available in the Corvette for 1953 and ’54. In ’55, the 265 V8 was offered as an option and most of the 700 Corvettes built were equipped with a small-block, leading to the disappearance of the inline engine in ’56. More than 60 years (and still) later, every Corvette has a V8 under the hood, despite persistent rumors for decades that a V6 might be coming. The Blue Flame Six was not the most fiery engine ever to power Chevrolet’s long-running sports car, but it was made hotter than its passenger car counterparts thanks to adjustments and special details applied by the engineering team that developed the first Corvette.1. A special valve cover for the ’53 Corvette six-cylinder had rounded ends, cutouts for the fastening nuts, and the oil filler opening was moved to the rear. This is now a rare Chevrolet engine cover piece.
2. A mechanical camshaft with .405/.414 lift, a compression increase from 7.5:1 to 8:1, and dual exhausts coming from a two-channel exhaust manifold helped boost power from 115 to 150 hp.
3. To keep the engine profile low, three Carter YH-2066-S side single-barrel carburetors were mounted on an aluminum intake manifold. Fuel was fed by a mechanical double-acting pump.
4. The Corvette engine was based on the six-cylinder combined with Powerglides in passenger cars, so it had full pressure lubrication and aluminum pistons. However, the passenger car engine used a hydraulic camshaft and a fiber gear. The ’Vette engine had solid lifters and an aluminum gear.
5. Due to the lack of shielding from the fiberglass body, radio interference from ignition was a problem, so the Corvette engine had a stamped shield covering the distributor, coil, and wires.
6. The radiator was low-profile, so the expansion tank was mounted next to the valve cover. The Corvette water pump and fan were also special, designed for high performance in a compact size.
SPECIFICATIONS
1953 Chevrolet Corvette Blue Flame Six
Type: Inline six-cylinder; cast iron block and head
Displacement: 235.5 cu.in.
Bore and stroke: 3-9/16 X 3-15/16 inch
Compression: 8:1
Power: 150 hp @ 4,200 rpm
Torque: 223 lb-ft @ 2,400 rpm
Pistons: Cast aluminum with steel supports
Connecting rods: Forged steel
Camshaft: Mechanical with aluminum gear
Carburation: Three side single-barrel carburetors
Auto Mobile Invest is not responsible for any errors in this advertisement
Simulate financing
15% down payment · APR 6.50% · 60 months · To finance: 72,250.00 € · Total payable: 97,569.25 €
Note, borrowing money also costs money.
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