1953 was the first year the Corvette was produced, it is the original "Classic Corvette". It debuted at the 1953 GM Motorama at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. It was outfitted with a 6 cylinder "Blue-Flame" engine that produced 150 hp mated to a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. All 300 Corvettes that were produced in 1953 came with the same options and they were all painted "Polo White" with a red interior. Also included on all 1953's were whitewall tires and two-spinner hub caps. They also did not have outside door handles. To get in the car you must reach inside to open the door. 301 1953 Corvettes were built in Flint, Michigan at a temporary facility in the rear of Chevrolet's customer delivery garage on Van Slyke Ave. The first production 1953 Corvette was built on June 30, 1953. Because of the short production run the 1953 model it is the rarest of all Corvettes. After the first 301 were assembled, production moved to the new St. Loius factory. Zora Arus-Duntov joined Chevrolet this year, he would eventually become the Chief Engineer for Corvette.