1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

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1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Sold for US$ 126,500 Including Commission
Bonhams Auction
Amelia Island, Florida 2015
Numbers matching, fuel-injected, NCRS Top Flight and Bloomington Gold Award winner
1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Chassis no. E57S101560
Engine no. F1116EL
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
*NCRS Top Flight and Bloomington Gold Award winner
*Beautifully restored
*Numbers matching
*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
An early production 1957 finished on December 21st, 1956, the Corvette offered here was one of the final 3-speed equipped Fuelies ordered. In addition to the 579B fuel injected motor, other options fitted included RPO 101 (heater), 102 (Wonder-Bar AM radio), 107 (parking brake alarm), and 419 (auxiliary hardtop). Interestingly, it was one of only 931 cars ordered with the hardtop but without the softtop. Finished in Onyx Black with Inca Silver coves and red leather, it is truly an elegant and sporting machine.
This numbers matching Fuelie was restored by noted Corvette enthusiast and restorer Roy Ester of Wichita, Kansas in 2000. The comprehensive restoration produced a stunning car that earned its chops with a NCRS Top Flight award in 2000 and a Bloomington Gold Certification in 2001—two of the most prestigious awards a Corvette can win. On those lofty merits, the car was selected to be displayed in the 'Special Collection XVIII—Corvette Evolution 1953-1967' display at Bloomington in 2002.
In the care of the present owner since 2007, this has been carefully maintained and sparingly driven. The now 15 year old restoration has proven its mettle by remaining in top shape. The famously finicky fuel injected motor is nicely detailed and well-tuned. Complete with its original owner's manual, NCRS judging sheets documenting just how good it is, and a listing dating the production of every major part of the car as compiled by Roy Ester, it is a machine that has truly been put under the microscope and passed its tests with flying colors.
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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