This week in La Gazette Drouot: Chevrolet C1 Corvette, a symbol of the American dream, up for auction in Troyes

Produced in 1959, this Chevrolet Corvette C1 is the quintessential example of the bowtiebrand . “The design of this car is iconic, both in its lines and its shape,” enthuses expert Ulysse James. “It’s very different from what was being produced in the United States at the time, as there’s a noticeable restraint in the use of chrome trim.” 

We owe this body style to General Motors’ chief designer, Harley J.Earl, whose design shook up the spacious and sedate sedans the American automaker had been producing up to that point. Eager to meet the expectations of young consumers seeking something new, he set out to create a small roadster suitable for mass production. The first series of the C1 was unveiled in 1953, and while there was initial excitement, the car sold poorly due to a body assembly issue and, above all, an excessively high price.
 

It was the second series, produced from 1956 to 1962, that truly brought success to the Corvette C1. This version featured side windows and exterior door handles, which had been missing until then. It took on its definitive lines, with the streamlined taillight on the rear fender and exhaust pipes integrated into the bumper. Its cockpit-style interior, illuminated by a distinctive panoramic windshield, evoked the spirit of the space race.

Above all, this C1 was equipped with the new V8 engine, which had previously been offered as an option on the first model. “This engine makes very little noise—almost like a purr,” the expert continues. “Paired with its two-speed automatic transmission, this car is ideal for cruising.”