Dear V-8 Buick car guys, Admittedly off-topic but too cool not to share. Hagerty's has the amazing story of 1953 Corvette restoration that really has driver's side of the car see-through so that you can see the internal components: https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/Articles/2017/06/21/cutaway-corvette Even with all the see through plastic, the cars still works! While not street-legal, it can be driven on and off the transporter and moved to its display location under its own power! The story of how this got created is also quite a tale. If you don't get the Hagerty's electronic newsletter you'll definitely enjoy this one! Cheers, Edouard P.S. So it is a Chevy and not a Buick. Look at it on the bright side, no Buicks were harmed in the making this oddity!
Why isn't it street legal? There were no crash standards in 1953 (or '54). This isn't a production car so it wouldn't be subject to present emission or crash standards. Are they afraid of liability?
Dear John and V-8 Buick "legal eagles," The article doesn't explain why. It only states that the car isn't street legal. I would expect given the amount of time and money spent to create this car, they would know if it could have been make street legal. Either it was too much effort or just plain impossible. As it stands it is already a unique accomplishment, so why bother to make it street legal? Cheers, Edouard
I may be one of the few who feel this way, but if it can't be driven, it isn't a car - it's an art object. I have driven by the Louvre in Paris and didn't stop in. I'm not seriously into art objects. If I owned a near-perfect fully-restored Bugatti, I'd drive it.
Kevin Mackay is a good friend. It was built by his shop Corvette Repair, in Valley Stream, NY, at the request of his good customer Ed Foss, who also owns a "cut away" 65 Vette which Kevin also did for him. It took 3,500 hours to build the "53. It is for display only. It's really neat to see in person. Tony Saggese
