Corvette

#346 of only 700 produced in 1955

Welcome to Street Dreams Texas as we cruise into our 27th year of “Putting Dreams in Driveways.” Over the years, we've had the privilege of handling some of the rarest and most beautiful Corvettes ever built, but this stunning 1955 Chevrolet Corvette marks a first for us. We have never had another 1955 Corvette in our inventory, and with only 700 produced for the entire model year, opportunities to acquire examples of this caliber are becoming increasingly rare.

Finished in the highly desirable Gypsy Red, this Corvette is #346 of just 700 built in 1955 and is one of only 180 factory Gypsy Red examples. That makes the 1955 Corvette the second-rarest C1 model year, surpassed only by the inaugural 1953 production.

But rarity is only the beginning of this Corvette's story.

This remarkable car was originally delivered to Thomas Parent, a respected World War II veteran and retired supervisor at General Motors' Tech Center. Mr. Parent cherished the Corvette for more than 50 years, preserving it through decades of automotive history. Long-term ownership of an early Corvette is special in itself, but documented stewardship spanning more than half a century adds significant provenance to this already important automobile.

Following Mr. Parent's ownership, the Corvette was acquired by Metropolitan Motorsports in Brighton, Michigan, where it received a complete rotisserie restoration in 2008. Approximately $70,000 was invested in the restoration, with the work carried out with an emphasis on accuracy, craftsmanship, and preserving the character of this historically significant Corvette. In today's dollars, a restoration of this scope would represent an investment well in excess of $100,000.

Following the restoration, this Corvette became part of the renowned Lingenfelter Collection, one of America's most respected private automotive collections. Its inclusion in such a prestigious collection speaks volumes about the quality, presentation, and historical significance of this particular car.

The 1955 model year represents a pivotal moment in Corvette history. Chevrolet introduced the new 265 cubic-inch small-block V8 for 1955, fundamentally changing the character of America's young sports car. With the development of the small-block V8 and the continued influence of Zora Arkus-Duntov, the Corvette was beginning its transformation from a stylish American roadster into a serious performance automobile.

Today, early Corvettes of this caliber are increasingly finding permanent homes in private collections and museums. A 1955 Corvette is rare enough on its own; a Gypsy Red example with a documented 50-plus-year original ownership history, a professionally executed $70,000 restoration, and provenance from the Lingenfelter Collection is something altogether more significant.

This is more than a beautiful classic Corvette. It is a foundational chapter in the history of America's sports car, carefully restored, documented, and preserved for the next generation of enthusiasts.

Street Dreams Texas has been helping collectors and enthusiasts turn automotive dreams into reality since 1999. Financing, worldwide shipping, and trade-ins are available. Give us a call at (830) 997-1950 for more information.