Ian Gabriele
Specialist
LOT 30
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster Chassis no. E57S105461
Sold for US$56,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster
Chassis no. E57S105461
Chassis no. E57S105461
283ci OHV V8 Engine
Edelbrock 4-Barrel Carburetor
283bhp at 6,200rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension - Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
* Top-of-the-line Corvette with factory 4-speed manual gearbox
* Striking Aztec Copper over Beige livery
* The ultimate 1950s American sportscar
THE CORVETTE
Back in 1953, Chevrolet's launch of a two-seater sports car was a radical departure for a marque hitherto associated almost exclusively with sensible family transport. Based on the 1952 EX-122 show car, the Corvette made use of existing GM running gear and a shortened chassis frame, around which was wrapped striking Harley Earl-styled fiberglass coachwork. Motive power came from Chevrolet's 235 cubic inch overhead-valve straight six and, unusually for a sports car, there was automatic transmission, a feature that attracted much adverse criticism at the time. Intended as competition for the T-Series MG, the Corvette cost way above the target figure, ending up in Jaguar XK120 territory but with an inferior performance. Sales were sluggish initially and the model came close to being axed, surviving thanks to Chevrolet's need to compete with Ford's Thunderbird. A V8 engine for 1955 and a radical restyle for '56 consolidated the 'Vette's position in the market.
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.
By this time, Corvettes had begun to establish an enviable competition record for the marque. Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov was a big fan of auto racing, and it was he that was responsible for unlocking the car's innate potential and development it into a genuine race-winner. These racing successes repaid Chevrolet's investment with interest: Corvette sales improved significantly, ensuring the car's survival and enabling it to go on to become the world's best-selling and longest-lived sports car. 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 CAR OFFERED
Offered here is a spectacular example of the classic 1957 Corvette. This 283 Chevy V8 is mated to the sports-oriented 4-speed manual transmission. While this Corvette wears Fuel Injection badges on its fenders, the car is currently equipped with an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor. The restoration on the car is of an indeterminate age but is presenting quite well. The convertible top is in wonderful shape and includes the "dealer do not remove" tag. The interior is redone but of factory type materials. Overall, this Corvette is a sharp and classic slice of americana and would be welcome at nearly any event, and fully capable of the "Ice Cream Run". The car has been sitting for a period of time but runs at the time of cataloging.
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