1957 Chevrolet Corvette
In 1957, Chevrolet enlarged their V8 engine to 283 in³ engine that was rated at 220 bhp. Several options were available to increase power output including the ‘fuelie’ that increased power to 250 or 283 bhp and GM boasted “one horsepower for every cubic inch”.
Mid way thought the production year Chevrolet offered a manual transmission for the first time on the Corvette and this option would continue in following years. It cost $188.30 and was a modified Borg-Warner unit.
For serious customers Chevrolet offered Rochester carburetor division’s “Ramjet” fuel injection which was only ordered on 240 cars. The basic kit could produce 283 bhp or 250 bhp and cost $484.20.
With column-mounted tachometer, cold-air induction and heater delete the 579E racing version cost $726.30 Less than 50 were ordered this way and they were typically ordered with the Heavy Duty Racing Suspension that had new springs, front anti-roll bar, limited-slip differential, ceramic-metallic brake linings and a faster steering ratio. These two options together added $1500 to the base price of the car.
Colors for the 1957 model year included Onyx Black, Aztec Copper, Cascade Green, Arctic Blue, Venetian Red, Polo White, Inca Silver with beige or red interior. A matching Auxiliary Hardtop could be ordered for $215.20.
Often the 1957 Corvette raced alongside in SCCA races against the Jaguar XK120 and Mercedes 300SL. Active racer Andy Portofield said “You also had to drive very hard back then but the 1957 Corvette with fuel injection and the four speed transmission made us dominant from 1957 until the Cobra showed up in late 1962.”1 Roger Penske also raced a 1957 Corvette in 1958 as his foray into the world of motor sport.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Gallery
See full 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Image Gallery
Sources & Further Reading
1.Friedman Dave. Corvette Racing Thunder. Gullstrand Motor Productions: 2003.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette – sold for $126,500 Numbers matching, fuel-injected, NCRS Top Flight and Bloomington Gold Award winner. Beautifully restored. Top of the line fuel-injected motor. The ultimate 1950s American sportscar. Auction Source: The Amelia Island Auction 2015 by Bonhams
1957 Chevrolet Corvette E57S100774 – Rare 283ci V8 version. Superb restoration. The ultimate American sportscar of the 1950s. The current owner acquired the car in Germany when it had been completely restored. Indeed, the work has been a very thorough job, with the chassis exposed, complete painting and overhaul of the mechanicals, in short, an impressive work that can rarely be seen even in at the Rétromobile. It is a car that charms everyone at first glance, the kind of car that was the daily transport of stars like Eddy Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis and Bill Haley. Auction Source: Artcurial Motorcars à 2013 Rétromobile
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster E57S104521 – A one-owner car for the first 50-or-so years of its life, the Corvette was seldom used and had not been on the road since the early 1980s. In 2008 the ‘Vette was purchased by Daisy’s Car, Delaware where a full restoration was carried out to ‘100 point’ standard. Purchased by the current vendor in January 2012, it benefits from further works that have included a new bonnet and front wings, the existing ones being not quite right. A multi concours-winning car in the last two years, ‘on the button’ and ready to enjoy, this beautiful and rare Chevrolet Corvette is offered with current MoT certificate and Swansea V5C document. Auction Source: 2012 Goodwood Revival Sale by Bonhams
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 283/270 HP – Here is the kind of 1957 Corvette C1 enthusiasts dream about: a performance-equipped 1957 California car sold new in San Diego with owner history, freshly restored to NCRS Top Flight specifications with all the correct numbers and date codes. Powered by the 469C 283/270 HP dual 4-bbl engine, it also incorporates a T-10 4-speed with all NOS gears and X-code 4.56 rear end (a 3.36 open is included at no extra cost). Its Arctic Blue paint and Beige interior are complemented with a Beige soft top, all new and all exceptionally well done. Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Daytime Auction by Mecum
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 283 HP – did not sell for $75,000 The original owner was in the US military, he was transferred to Norway and brought the Corvette with him 1960-2001. Powerglide transmission. 283 HP fuel injected engine. Positraction. Wonderbar radio. Soft top and hardtop. Auction Source: 2011 Monterey Daytime Auction by Mecum
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel-Injected Roadster – Equipped with the impressive 283 ci/283 hp, fuel-injected V-8 engine, this superb 1957 Corvette has benefited from a four-year, frame-off restoration completed in February of this year. With work done at Rods by Dutch in Fountain Hills, Arizona, we are told this car is presented to NCRS standards. The Aztec Copper paint is in perfect condition and looks exceptional against the Corvette’s beige side coves and matching beige vinyl interior. The 283-cubic inch engine, which is reportedly original to the car, is mated to a four-speed gearbox. Auction Source: 2011 St. John’s Auction by RM
1957 Chevrolet Corvette – sold for $77,000 – This striking, two-owner 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible was purchased new by the original owner from Parkland Chevrolet of Asheville, North Carolina, and it has remained in the same area ever since. In 2006, the estate of the original owner sold the Corvette to the current owner, who commissioned a high quality, body-off restoration to NCCA show-quality standards that was completed over the next two years. Auction Source: 2011 Amelia Island Auction by RM Auctions
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel-Injected Roadster – sold for $77,000 – Fitted with the hot RPO 579 B/E 283 horsepower V8 engine with Rochester fuel injection, this 1957 Corvette was an original California black-plate car with a sound, rust-free chassis before receiving a complete, frame-off restoration at the hands of experienced Corvette experts. Finished in Venetian Red and complemented by a red vinyl interior, this very desirable example is also equipped with a four-speed manual transmission and a black convertible top, as well as a hard top, radio delete plate, black sidewall tires and a set of small, original-type hubcaps. The quality of the restoration was confirmed on the show field, with class wins at the 2007 Glenmoor Gathering as well as the 2005 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. While fuel injected examples are incredibly rare, the car offered here is also one of just 664 that were originally equipped with a four-speed manual transmission. Auction Source: 2009 Meadow Brook Concours
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster – sold for $63,250 – Finished in Onyx black with optional silver coves and a red interior, this 1957 Corvette Roadster was the recipient of a frame-off restoration by Corvette specialists Classic Restorations in Michigan during the mid-nineties. Covering only 816 miles since then, this example remains in excellent overall condition and features the highly desirable 270-hp dual quad, 283-cu. in. V8. Sporting the extremely rare four-speed manual transmission along with the optional 15″ wheels and chrome spinner hubcaps with BF Goodrich wide whitewall tires, this example also features an aftermarket vintage Corvette AM/FM radio and comes complete with an original Wonderbar Radio. Auction Source: RM Auctions’ 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey
Fuel-Injected Roadster – sold for $104,500 – This 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel-Injected Roadster is finished in white with silver coves and a red interior and features the extremely rare and desirable high-performance 283 bhp V8 engine that is equipped with Rochester fuel-injection. It currently comes equipped with a four-speed manual transmission for driving pleasure, however, the original three-speed used for NCRS judging still accompanies the car, as do all the restoration records and receipts from its body-off restoration in the early 1990s. In the same ownership for the past seven years, the current owner reports that he has replaced the top, interior, radiator, windshield rubber, tires, and trunk mats and that the car remains in excellent running and driving condition. Auction Source: RM Auctions’ 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey
