1957 Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette is the first generation of the Corvette sports car produced by Chevrolet. It was introduced late in the 1953 model year, and produced through 1962. This generation is commonly referred to as the “solid-axle” generation, as the independent rear suspension did not appear until the 1963 Stingray.
The Corvette was rushed into production for its debut model year to capitalize on the enthusiastic public reaction to the concept vehicle, but expectations for the new model were largely unfulfilled. Reviews were mixed and sales fell far short of expectations through the car’s early years. The program was nearly canceled, but Chevrolet decided to make necessary improvements.
This 1957 Chevrolet Corvette is a fuel-injected, four-speed-manual example, and it is powered by an EL-code 283ci V8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Additional equipment includes a black soft top, a removable hardtop, a Positraction rear end, and a Wonderbar AM radio. The car received a national Top Flight award from the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) in 1992, and additional recognition in the same year included a chapter Top Flight as well as a Golden Vette award from the Corvette Club of America.
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.
The interior features seats upholstered in red vinyl with waffle-pattern inserts as well as a color-keyed dashboard pad, carpeting, and door panels. A factory Wonder Bar AM radio is fitted in the metal dashboard. Factory instrumentation includes a sweeping 140-mph speedometer along with a centrally oriented 6k-rpm tachometer flanked by gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, battery charge, and oil pressure.
The Chevrolet Corvette has always been iconic. From where it started to where it now is whole different kind of beast, but that does not mean that it has any lower level of clout. It has always been in high demand and with the new C8 Corvette Z06 recently being announced, demand for this performance vehicle has gone through the roof. But even with high demand, the Corvette has always been the poor man’s Ferrari. This is not because anything about this car feels cheap, but rather because Chevrolet has always made the Corvette a major value proposition since it the power to price ratio has always been great.
