1957 Chevrolet Fuel Injected Corvette Roadster

The Tupelo Automobile Museum Auction|27 April 2019, 10:00 CDT|The Tupelo Automobile Museum

1957 Chevrolet Fuel Injected Corvette Roadster
Chassis no. E57S105526

283ci OHV V8 Engine
Rochester Mechanical Fuel Injection
283bhp at 6,200rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front and Semi-Elliptic Leaf Spring Rear Suspension with Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Classic color scheme
*Numerous options present
*Top of the line fuel-injected motor
*The ultimate 1950s American sportscar

THE CORVETTE "FUELIE"

Chevrolet's introduction of the option of fuel-injection for the 1957 season was inspired for it provided the now bored out 283 cubic inch V8 with a matched number of horses under the hood. It was first tested as a solution to gas 'sloshing' of carburetor aspirated cars turning into bends under race conditions at Sebring in 1956, and then rolled out as an option for the next production season. Retrospectively it is amazing to think that Chevrolet was able to offer this contemporaneously with Mercedes-Benz's 300SL, while on other high end machinery it would be more than a decade before this would be the commonplace. And all at once, the term 'fuelie' was born.

In 1957, 6,339 Corvettes were produced, but only 714 were ordered with the RPO (Regular Production Order) 579B option box ticked for the $484.20 Ramjet fuel injected V8 that delivered one horsepower for every cubic inch of engine capacity. It's little wonder so few were ordered given that a base Corvette retailed for $3,176.32.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

The Corvette offered here joined the collection from Scottsdale in January 1994. A nicely optioned example, it presented today with its fuel-injected motor mated to the rare and desirable 4-speed manual that was fitted to just over 10% of the Corvettes hailing from '57. Other options fitted to the car today include RPO 440 (two-tone paint), 102 (AM radio), and 426 (power windows—one of a mere 379 '57 Vettes to have them). Finished in Venetian Red with Polo White coves and beige leather, it is truly an elegant and sporting machine.

Between the clean design of the 1956 and '57 Corvette with its elegant lines, dual headlights, and scalloped front quarters combined with the power of the most spirited engine available, this Corvette offers phenomenal value.

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