If you’re into the Chevrolet Corvette, you can learn about its history by reading books, watching videos, and talking to experts. At the Barrett-Jackson 2026 Las Vegas Auction, taking place September 10-12 in the West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center, you can see the history of “America’s Sports Car” up-close — and bid on it when it crosses the block. Corvettes from all eight generations will be there (including the 427-powered 1966 model above), but I’ve highlighted three particular models that cover half a century of Corvette history below.
LOT 492: 1954 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE
The 1953 Corvette started what would become a legendary automotive era that endures to this day, so changes for the following model year were largely minor. Key word: largely. For 1954, Chevy moved Corvette production from its Flint, Michigan factory to its facility in St. Louis. And colors other than Polo White were available, such as Pennant Blue and Sportsman Red. Beyond that, Chevy made slight alterations, such as redesigning the Blue Flame I-6’s valve cover and switching to different air inlets during the model year. A tweak to the camshaft resulted in a power boost, taking output from 150 to 155 horsepower.
The Polo White 1954 Corvette you see here comes in the classic combination of Polo White over a red interior, which is equipped with an aftermarket, Bluetooth-compatible radio that plays through four speakers. A major modification, something that Chevy started offering in the Corvette in 1969, is under the hood: a 350ci V-8 that sends its power to the road through a TH350 three-speed automatic.
LOT 819: 1969 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 350/300 CONVERTIBLE
The 1968-72 Corvettes are desirable machines because they have the C3’s signature curves and clean, classic chrome bumpers at both ends. This particular ’69 Stingray Convertible offers even more to love. For starters, it comes in the bright and cheery color known as Daytona Yellow and rides on turbine-style wheel covers and thin-whitewall tires. You can’t miss it, and once you look at it, you don’t want to turn away. Plus, it’s unrestored and original, down to its original soft top and glass. The listing states that it’s “powered by a matching-numbers 350/300hp V-8 engine paired with an M20 four-speed manual transmission and Positraction rear axle.” On top of all that, this Corvette is a bona fide winner, having received two National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) Top Flight awards, a Bloomington Gold Award, the Ultra Original Gold award at the 2017 National Corvette Homecoming, and other accolades.
LOT 343: 2003 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONVERTIBLE
The C5 generation (1997-2004) was a significant transition for the Corvette. It marked the end of pop-up headlights as well as the dawn of LS1 power and the return of the high-performance Z06. The penultimate year of the C5’s production run also happened to be 50 years after the Corvette first went into production. Chevrolet, who had a habit of making special-edition Corvettes, commemorated the occasion by making 50th Anniversary Edition coupes and convertibles. Each came finished in 50th Anniversary Red and accented with special badging and Champagne-colored wheels. The cockpit was furnished with Shale leather buckets seats, which flanked the controls for the new-for-2003 Magnetic Selective Ride Control system. Convertibles, such as the car you see here, were equipped with a Shale manual soft top with a heated glass rear window.
Back in ’03, the Corvette hitting the half-century mark was a big deal. Clearly, the people who owned this car since then never forgot that because they kept the miles nice and low. Nearly 25 years after it rolled off the line at the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant, this special Corvette drop-top has only 1,585 miles on it.
Want to get in on the action in Las Vegas? Click here to buy tickets to the auction. Seniors, military, and first responders get special pricing; student tickets are $10, and children 12 and under receive complimentary admission. If you want to take one of the Corvettes above home with you, you need to register as a bidder. Be sure to check out the available Barrett-Jackson VIP Experiences, which offer elevated views, access, and amenities. No matter which way you choose to go, the Barrett-Jackson mobile app will keep you up to date about what’s going on at the Las Vegas auction.
