Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster
Pushed toward high-performance and racing, principally by its
designer, Zora Arkus-Duntov, who had raced in Europe, 1957
Corvettes could be ordered ready-to-race with special performance
options, such as an engine fresh air/tach package, heavy-duty
racing suspension, and 15 by 5.5 in wheels. Sales volume was 3,467,
a low number by any contemporary standard and less than 1954's
3,640, making it the third lowest in Corvette history.
Fuel-injected models were in short supply, yet 1,040 were sold.
For consignment, a nice version of the 57 Chevrolet Corvette. This
5th model year of the first generation has all the right stuff
right down to the awesome paint color scheme dripping with mid 50's
styling, new brakes, and a hardtop and convertible.
Exterior
Fiberglass makes up the body of this Cascade Green body painted car
with a white corvette cove on either side. Paint is showing some
chipping, and fiberglass some cracking especially in the seams of
the trunk lid, fenders, and near the gaps. There is evidence the
car may have been repaired on the passenger's side due to a light
sideswiping accident. Styling for this car is just beautiful with a
Ferrari inspired grille, single headlight on each quarter, and
wrap-around bumper-ettes on the front corners. In the center are
two vertical bars. The rounded hood moves to the wrap around glass
of the front windscreen and is trimmed with nice chrome. Just in
front of the windscreen are 2 vents on either side at the back of
the front quarter tops. The cove is trimmed, and the rear of the
car uses the undulating line with the curved down rear quarter tops
with vertical tail lighting almost looking up at the sky, but
closer inspection reveals they are inset and actually have rocket
nose coverings. The curved rear split bumper starts at the plate
holder and thins out until it gets to the round quarter panels. The
rounded interior ends of this bumper serve as the plate lighting.
On the edge of the rear rounded quarters are more chromed trim
pieces with a peek through exhaust on either side. Gaps for the top
as they meet the body on the rear deck are inconsistent. This holds
true for the tan canvas convertible top as it will not go flush
with the panel mostly on the passenger's side. Also a few faults
are noted by the photos in the top. The hardtop also has a nicely
curving wrap around rear glass. Black wall tires are on all 4
corners and these are capped with faux knockoff hubs with just a
hint of turquoise at the edges.
Interior
The styling continues with the door panels that have a cream padded
sill that rolls down to a smooth more white plastic panel which is
above square embossed dimples in a cream vinyl panel. Seen here are
the power window toggles and just above more white molded plastic
for the armrest which melts not a lined up brick pattern stainless
panel for the bottoms. Inside, reminiscent of the 55 Bel Air is the
dual fan dash which has the speedo in front of the driver, and then
a series of semicircular bottom edge cream covered metal makes room
for a series of gauges to float within these spaces. Above is a
lineup of knobs and pulls, as well as the centrally mounted radio.
On the passenger's side is another fan which also serves as the
speakers to the radio. The rest of the dash on either side curves
into the doors. Cream vinyl covered buckets in a bomber style fit
nicely inept the rear metal tones and have a metal storage vertical
space between them. The bombers have smooth bolsters and more
square embossed dimpling in their inserts. Noted the VIN plate has
been moved from the steering column and is now in the driver's door
panel on the front quarter. Gaps for the tonneau are just a bit
off, and below nice tan woven carpeting with no pile is noted and
very clean.
Drivetrain
A 265ci V8 which is not original to this car but of the era, sits
in a clean engine bay. It has cast ribbed valve coverings and an
orange block. On top are dual 4-barrel carburetors, and behind this
mill to spin the tires is a Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission
circa 1966/67. The rear axle is courtesy a 1955-56 Corvette,
(casting 3703906), and has a BB stamping code on the carrier
denoting it is a 3.55 ratio. Also, items to be noted the engine
block looks like it has 2 areas of welding that may be covering
some previous damage. Further investigation will be warranted to
make your own judgment.
Undercarriage
Black painted straight rust-free steel is seen throughout, with the
X frame and floor pans and rockers. Independent coil spring
suspension is noted in front and on back simple leaf springs. Drum
brakes are on all 4 corners. There is a dual Thrush exhaust snaking
its way rearward, ending up going right through the edges of the
rear quarter trimmings.
Drive-Ability
This is one of those cars you really want to drive, but feel like
you need to wrap yourself in plastic prior to entering. We got in
with our shoes off and started this beauty which fired immediately.
A great sound emanated from the exhaust, and we gently popped the
clutch, and began our test drive. It drove great, shifted smoothly,
steering was with ease, and handling was nicely...well...handled! A
nice experience.
A few frowns on this 57 car, but more positives than negatives for
sure. These include the color scheme, interior finishes and a
convertible and hardtop option. The consignor states that this car
also comes with a set of wide white wall Cooper tires. Bombs
away!
VIN DECODE
E57S100105
E-Corvette
57-1957
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
100105-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
