Lot# 1311. S/N E53F001003. White/black vinyl/red vinyl. Odo: 330 miles. 235-ci I6, 3x1-bbl Carter Type YH, Powerglide auto. This is the oldest surviving production Corvette, the third built. Fit and finish are very much to factory spec, such as it was. Original GM documentation for delivery configuration to the public. Handlaid fiberglass, with expected flaws in the paint. Sold in 1987 at Rick Cole's, Monterey, for $35k, with several problems after unfortunate storage. The restoration aimed to replicate the original build process, and many Corvette theoreticians agree this car is correct. Well-known and documented. The seller wants it to go to a museum. Cond: 1-.

The seller's hope that it would end up in a museuem likely won't happen. This represents the highest price ever paid for a Corvette at auction. Bought by David Ressler, a North Dakota car dealer who outbid some notable Corvette aficionados to claim this one. Perhaps it will end up as a showroom display in Mandan and add some kick to the ND tourist trade.

Lot# S527. S/N E53F001005. Polo White/blk/red. Odo: 76,064 miles. 235 I6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Serial #005, the first Corvette sold to the public. Expertly restored, with great paint and chrome. Very nice glass and well-fitted top. Excellent interior. Bloomington Gold 2004, NCRS Top Flight 99.67%. Cond: 1.

This was the first production Corvette sold to the public, and it caused a bidding frenzy. Unsold under the hammer, it quickly sold afterward to anonymous bidder for an undisclosed sum. Which does nothing for the discriminating SCMer. As a reference, S/N 003 sold at Barrett-Jackson 2006 for $1.08m (SCM# 40401).

Lot# 27. S/N 20867S101261. Eng. # F0928RF. White & blue/white HT/red. 327/360, FI, 4-sp. Ordered from the factory with hard top, radio delete, positraction, and the RPO 687 performance option—big brakes and steering. Raced at Le Mans in 1962 by Tony Settember and Jack Turner. Quick-fill gas filler routed through the rear window. Panel fit is better than new. The entire car looks new, but not too new. Cond: 1-.

Sold on the telephone, though the underbidder was a woman in the tent. Before the auction, I couldn't stop talking about the condition of this car to anyone who would listen. There was no pre-auction estimate, so we had no idea if the hammer price would be enough to sell it. Great money for a nice racer with a fully-stocked past.

Lot# 229. S/N E53F001157. Polo White/black cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 98,431 miles. 235-ci 150-hp straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Nice presentation. Good and correct color to the paint, gaps are good but not excellent, which is correct for an early ’Vette. Clean underhood, but not overdone. Restored to as-expected quality. Cond: 1.

1953 was the first year of production for Corvettes, and these were the only models built in Flint, Michigan. The $125,000 to $175,000 estimates seemed a bit light with current prices in mind, but this price was over the top even considering this car's condition. No, Elvis didn't have a tryst with Marilyn in the front seat, it was just sold expensively.

Lot# 46. S/N E53F001103. Polo White/black cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 8 miles. 235-ci straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Faultless paint and body to exceptional better-than-new quality throughout. Chrome and brightwork flawless. Top and interior not only well-executed but correct to NCRS standards. Engine bay likewise does not disappoint. An example comparable or better than the 2007 restoration of a slightly later ’53 by GM Heritage. Cond: 1.

The car lost a few points with the NCRS due to overdoing some things... not missing details. Only three bids were cast in $100,000 increments, and the bidding closed with a sale at the low estimate. Maybe just under market today, but a few more years should see examples such as this appreciating at Gullwing speed. Well bought.

Lot# 55. S/N E53F001120. Eng. # LAY512502. Polo White/red vinyl. Odo: 86,446 miles. 235-ci straight-6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Original engine out of car, later engine installed. Restored to better than new condition, original assembly markings retained. Paint far better than when new, with no marks or fiberglass bonds evident. Number 120 of 300 manufactured. Striking, albeit over restored. Cond: 1-.

Sold at the May '06 Branson sale for $212,000 (SCM# 41422), with the comment that there was little left for the next guy. Clearly that wasn't the case, but it's still hard to believe that this car grew by $200k in just 13 months. Very well sold.

Lot# 856. S/N E53F001039. Polo White/black cloth/red vinyl. Odo: 36 miles. 235-ci straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Freshly restored and showing as well as when it left the factory. Panel fit excellent with the worst alignment issues nowhere near as bad as an original car. Correct black cloth top and red vinyl interior fitted, engine bay well-detailed but not over-restored. Offered as a package with a showroom-fresh 2003 Corvette Anniversary edition and GM-licensed pedal car both bearing chassis number 39. Cond: 1.

An interesting triumvirate of near-perfect cars, two of which the lucky winner can drive or just continue to preserve, and the third he can save for his favorite child or grandchild. Given the recent sales of 1953 Corvettes, this reflected a nice discount for a shop-fresh car as well as a free 2003 Corvette and GM Heritage pedal car. Very well bought.

Lot# S539. S/N E54S002027. Gypsy Red/beige/beige. Odo: 221 miles. 265/195, 4-bbl, auto. Close to perfect, though the passenger door appears to fit a bit wide at bottom. Bloomington Gold, NCRS Top Flight, Vettefest Triple Crown. A top car. Cond: 1.

Think this is huge money? Wait a few years and watch it again. If I wanted an early Corvette, the 1955 V8 would be the one for me. And this would be the exact car I'd choose.

Lot# 993. S/N J58S101858. Black/red. Odo: 54,068 miles. 283-ci V8, 4-sp. "Scotty," the car developed by Francis H. Scott, a GM stylist. Excellent paint and chrome, retractable top is well-fitted and unique to this car. Excellent interior, well and correctly done without visible flaws. Appears to have been recently extensively show-prepped. Cond: 1-.

Lots of hype around this car, and a pretty good price as well. Standing in the shadow of a "real" show car that brought in $3m (an Oldsmobile at that), a mere $340k sounds kind of weak, but keep in mind this was largely one man's project, even if it was done by a GM employee. Nice car, nice price.

Lot# S91. S/N E53F001107. Polo White/tan/red vinyl. Odo: 121 miles. 235-ci straight 6, 3x1-bbl, auto. Rough edges and paint chips at tonneau lid corners, chip visible on gas door. Engine compartment sterile, interior clean and well fitted. Bloomington Gold certified. Number 107 of 300. Cond: 1-.

Between this and lot S53, we have some real money talking. First-year cars will always bring a healthy sum, but we may be on the verge of seeing the market for these cars expand even further. Well sold.