Vehicle Description
- 1957 283 engine casting #FI02FC
- 2-4 barrel carter carburetors
- Rated at 245hp
- Original winters factory intake manifold
- 4 speed manual equipped
- Only 664 made out of 3,467 total
- 1 respray oforiginal black paint
- Believed to be original red interior
- Manual brakes and steering
This Corvette is an all original, unrestored, garage find time
capsule! 1957 was the first year for the 283 SBC engine, 4 speed
manualand was the 2nd year Chevrolet started to focus on
performance. The 283 engine currently in the car was originally
mated with a 1957 powerglide transmission and single 4 barrel
carter carburetor.This leads us to believe the original engine was
changed out at some point in time most likely in the 1960s.
Everything under the hood is era correct and looks like it has been
in the car a long time. Original factorywinters dual 4 barrel
intake manifold, Carter carburetors, valve covers and heads are all
there! The technology on this car is just fascinating to inspect.
The tach is driven by a cable on the generator and there is a fresh
air system that works off of a pipe that catches air when the car
is moving. It then passes air along into the cab. A full set of
factory gauges include; speedometer, tach, water temp, oil
pressure, fuel, amps and a clock.Manual brakes and steering really
help you become one with the car and the road. If you are looking
for an all original 1957 corvette look no further!
History;
Visually the 1957 model was a near-twin to 1956. Engine
displacement increased to 283 cu in (4.6 L), fuel injection became
optional, and a 4-speed manual transmission was available after
April 9, 1957. Fuel injection first saw regular use on a gasoline
engine two years prior on the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing'.
Although the Corvette's GM-Rochester mechanical fuel injection used
a constant flow system, as opposed to the diesel style nozzle
metering system of the Mercedes', the Corvette's engine
nevertheless produced about 290 bhp. This was underrated by
Chevrolet's advertising agency for the 283 bhp at 6200 rpm and 290
lbft of torque at 4400 rpm 283 small-block V8 'One HP per cubic
inch' 1 hp per 1cislogan, making it one of the first mass-produced
engines in history to reach 1 hp/in. Pushed toward high-performance
and racing, principally by Zora Arkus-Duntov who had raced in
Europe, 1957 Corvettes could be ordered ready-to-race with special
options. Fuel injection was in short supply and 1,040 Corvettes
with this option were sold. Rare options: RPO 579E 283 hp engine
with fresh air/tach package, RPO 684 heavy-duty racing suspension,
RPO 276 15 by 5.5 in wheels, RPO 426 power windows, RPO 685 4-speed
transmission.
