Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
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 inch 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
convertible showing 53,242 non-verifiable miles on the odometer.
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, the correct drivetrain and beautiful convertible top.
Exterior
Fiberglass makes up the body of this Onyx Black body painted car
with a Silver Metallic Corvette cove on either side. The paint is
showing some chipping, bubbling and cracking in a few areas, but
nothing to detract from the overall flowing beauty. Styling for
this car is just beautiful with a Ferrari inspired grille, single
headlight on each quarter, and wrap-around bumperettes on the front
corners. In the center are two vertical bars dressing up thesmiling
toothy chrome grille. The rounded hood moves to the wraparound
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 in nicestainless
steel 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 soft top remain true and the black
canvas cover is very clean with only a few smudges. Wide whitewall
tires are on all 4 corners and these are capped with faux knockoff
hubs with just a hint of red at the edges.
Interior
The styling continues with the door panels that have a red padded
sill that rolls down to a smooth red plastic panel which is above
square embossed dimples in a red vinyl panel. Seen here are the
window cranks and just above more red 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 circular chrome trimmed gauges float in the center of the
what dash. Above is a lineup of knobs and pulls, as well as the
centrally mounted opening where the radio once lived and a bright
red padded topper finishes things off. 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. Red vinyl
covered buckets in a bomber style fit nicely into the rear tonneau
and have a small storage vertical space between them. The bombers
have smooth bolsters and more square embossed dimpling in their
inserts. Gaps for the tonneau are very nice and below, a nice red
woven carpeting with no pile is noted and very clean.
Drivetrain
A 283ci V8 which specs out as original to this car sits in a clean
engine bay. It has cast ribbed valve coverings and an orange block.
On top is a single 4-barrel carburetor, atop a cast iron intake
manifold. Behind this mill to spin the tires is a correct Saginaw
3-speed manual transmission. The rear axle is carrying a AE
stamping code on the carrier denoting it is a 3.55 ratio. A nicely
preserved and lightly patinaed engine bay with supple hoses and
clean concisewiringmakes up the area under the hood.
Undercarriage
Black painted straight rust free steel is seen throughout, with the
X-frame and fiberglass floor pans and rockers. Independent coil
spring suspension is noted in front and on the back are simple leaf
springs. Drum brakes are on all 4 corners. There is a dual stock
style 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, and 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 nicely but we did note a
miss in the engine as well as random stalling. That aside it
shifted smoothly, steering was with ease, and handling was
nicely...well...handled! A nice experience with the only non
functional item being the driver's window that would not fully roll
down. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were
working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these
functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Very few frowns on this 57 car and frankly in my opinion it doesn't
get much better than this. These include the color scheme, interior
finishes and a convertible soft top. A turn key car from the
infancy era of the Corvette, ready for you to show and enjoy. Bombs
away!
E57S102724
E-Corvette
57-1957
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
102724-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
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