AAT CE53 Corvette

People seldom ask “what is it?” when they see this car. Even those with only a casual interest in such matters instinctively know it is a Chevrolet Corvette. Some, including more knowledgeable enthusiasts, are, however, uncertain about which Corvette it might be. Yes, it does have many of the styling cues of a distinct early-1950s kind, including rounded front fenders flanking an egg-crate grille, rocket-exhaust rear lamps on their swept-back pods, and other detail delights typical of early jet-age car design. But the overall stance and shape are clearly those of the latest Corvette.

Think of the Advanced Automotive Technologies “1953–2003 Commemorative Edition” Corvette as being the best of two worlds. All the safety, comfort, and performance features of today’s car are there to be enjoyed, spiced up by unique styling that captures the essential flavor of the very first version without being a slavish copy.

When Harley Earl designed the Corvette back in 1952, he almost certainly did not envision its eventual elevation to icon status. In fact, within two years, Earl, head of General Motors’ styling department, must have wondered whether it would survive at all, as demand for the early 6-cylinder Corvettes was tepid, to say the least. The story of the two-seater’s evolution from crude underperformer to world-beating supercar with a fanatical following is long and complex; suffice it to say that the efforts of enthusiasts within the company paid off, and “America’s Sports Car” has now passed its 50th anniversary, solidly entrenched in automotive history. (Click image to enlarge)

Earl’s Corvette design lasted a mere three model years (1953–55). Subsequent Corvettes were largely shaped by Bill Mitchell, Earl’s successor, and others who followed him. With each change, the car’s appearance moved further from its roots, though each new model has been an unmistakable member of the family tree. And yet there is magic in the original, and the Commemorative Edition takes full advantage of that. One can imagine Earl himself, given a modern Corvette platform to work with, sketching a car that looks very much like this one; he surely would have appreciated this tribute to his genius. (Click image to enlarge)
One thing the Commemorative Edition is not is a body kit. You don’t order a big box of pieces and spend time in the garage unbolting the old and filing, fitting, and adjusting the new. Instead, you ship a C5 Corvette convertible (or, if you choose, a C5 hardtop) to AAT in Michigan and it does the work, ensuring first-class fit and finish. Despite the extensive visual overhaul, only one small cut—to the inner trunk panel—is required. Otherwise, the new pieces attach to standard mounting points. (Click image to enlarge)

Interior changes are minimal, confined primarily to painting the dashboard, center console, A-pillars, and windshield header red, as they were on all ’53s. The steering wheel gets a white rim, and a white “cue ball” knob is attached to the shift lever. Custom doorsill panels are installed, as is a plaque bearing the car’s serial number and the owner’s name. When combined with the standard Commemorative Edition pearl white exterior color (other hues are available on request), this represents a modern-day version of the ’53’s Polo White/Red color scheme.

The list of new parts is extensive, yet they are so well integrated with factory-issue pieces that it is difficult to tell which ones came from General Motors and which are supplied by AAT. Much of the credit for this goes to Steve Pasteiner, AAT’s founder and CEO, who directed the final design and surface development work on the project. Before striking out on his own, Pasteiner spent 22 years at GM Design, eventually becoming assistant chief designer for Buick and Chevrolet. The Commemorative Edition is not a joint venture of AAT and Chevrolet, even though Pasteiner’s GM connections might suggest otherwise. The original manufacturer has nothing to do with the project other than supplying the basic car.
AAT has committed to building at least 60 Commemorative Edition Corvettes, and has completed more than 50 to date. With a final/total price of $29,995—excluding the price of the basic car, of course—the AAT Corvette represents excellent value for the money. It is too early to assess its ultimate collector value, of course, but chances are good that demand will always exceed supply. The AAT Commemorative Edition Corvette’s true worth lies in the way it blends the earliest and latest Corvettes into a single unit, adding the charm and style of the former to the all-around competence of the latter. 

AAT

248.852.2900

www.aatcars.com

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