1954 Chevrolet Corvette 'Bubble Top' Roadster

Following the end of World War II, American servicemen began returning home with a newfound appreciation for European sports cars, and General Motors styling director Harley Earl lobbied management for approval to build an American answer. The resulting Corvette debuted as a prototype at the 1953 GM Motorama at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, creating such a stir that GM rushed it into production. This 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Bubble Top Roadster is believed to be 1 of just 25 units originally fitted from the factory with a clear bubble top — manufactured by Model Builders of Chicago, Illinois and reportedly costing $500 when new, making it a pricey and rare option.

It is also 1 of an estimated 300 examples originally finished in Pennant Blue, the most eye-catching color available that year. The Grand Rapids Classics Auto Museum is believed to be just the third owner since new. Used in the era to help promote GM's growing dream car division, this largely original example presents as a rare and fascinating window into the dream-car era of the 1950s.