The year 1957 was one of firsts for Corvette. It may have been a virtual twin to the 1956 model, but there were surprises lurking under some of those Vettes’ fiberglass skin. There could be a 4-speed manual transmission, Rochester Ramjet fuel injection and a 283-cu.in. engine. One of the first mass-produced engines to make that magic formula of one horsepower per cubic inch. The horsepower was actually underrated by Madison Ave. to make for a catchier headline. Power was closer to 290.
Reliability issues showed up early on the fuel injection, and coupled with the high price tag of $500 for the option made this a rare addition to the build sheet. Only 713 out of 6,339 Corvettes built in 1957 were “Fuelies.” Once the system was learned and the problems overcome, owners were rewarded with superb drivability, economy and performance.
One way or the other, in almost any form, the ’57 Vette put down some pretty impressive numbers. Motor Trend got a 250-bhp Fuelie to 60 in 7.2 seconds. Road & Track got a 283-bhp version with a 4-speed to 60 in 5.7 seconds doing the quarter mile in 14.3 seconds and topping out at 132 mph. Motor Trend again tested another 283 with dual exhaust, special cam and solid lifters, and got it up to 134 mph. These numbers showed that the Vette was one of the fastest production cars around at the time.
General Motors sent two modified Fuelies to Sebring in 1957, entered by racer John Fitch to get around the ban on manufacturer-backed racing. They would run with the other secret GM entries, the Corvette SS and SR-2. With Dick Thompson and Gaston Andrey at the wheel of car #4, and John A. Kilborn, Jim Jeffords, and Dale Duncan behind the wheel of the #3 car they took 1st and 2nd in class.
Sometimes there is the perfect storm and all the right boxes are checked on the build sheet: 4-speed manual, check; 283-cu.in., 283 hp fuel-injected engine, check; 4.11:1 Positraction rear axle, check; radio and heater delete, check. That’s what’s wrapped in this Venetian red and beige beauty. The next step would have been an air-box race car, but the original owner of this Vette wanted a really fast street car, and that is definitely what he got. Now, it’s a very rare street machine.
Sitting, running my hands over the large steering wheel while waiting a moment as the Vette warms up, I listen to the quiet burble of the V8 out of the twin pipes. The feel of the interior is tight, but comfortable and not at all claustrophobic, as the wraparound windscreen gives you a perfect view out over the hood. The attention to detail in the restoration shows why this particular Corvette is a two-time Bloomington Gold winner, and has also been awarded the NCRS Top Flight award. It is as correct as it was when it left the production line back in 1957.
Heading out onto the street, I put my foot down and damed if it doesn’t break its rear tires free, it still has the guts it had 57 years ago when it was built. Run through the gears and it pushes you back into your seat, so the magazines of the time weren’t making things up. This is a potent ride.
With a little seat time you start feeing more comfortable and see that this is truly an American sports car. The steering isn’t all that heavy and the car is fairly nimble, but what the Corvette does best is hard charge down a straight road. It’s a true stop-light dragster. Looking back you can say it was very basic, even crude in its construction, but it was taking on some very impressive competition and winning. You don’t have to be a child of the ’50s to think this car is cool. it’s cool no matter what age you are. On a warm day with the top down you would be hard pressed to find other ways to have more fun.
It’s also a crowd pleaser, while driving around looking for a location to take some pictures there were lots of waves and thumbs up. Even on the quiet back road where the car was shot, people stopped to look and talk, and it put big smiles on their faces. Those smiles, including the one on my face,
behind the wheel, as I drove it back to its owner.
Thanks to Nick Soprano and Motor Classic and Competition for putting that smile on my face. —Sean Smith
Driven Classics at a Glance:
SPECIFICATIONS
1957 Corvette Fuelie
Wheelbase: 102.0-inches
Track F/R: 57.0/59.0-inches
Length: 168.0-inches
Width: 70.5-inches
Height : 51.9-inches
Curb Weight: 2849 pounds
Bore: 3.875-inches
Stroke: 3.000-inches
Displacement: 283-cu.in.
Compression : 10.5:1
Cylinders: 8
Horsepower: 283 bhp @6200 rpm (closer to 290)
Torque: 290 lb-ft @ 4400rpm
Fuel delivery: Fuel injection
PERFORMANCE
Top Speed: 132 mph
0-60 mph: 5.7 seconds
Average Fuel Consumption: 20 mpg
VALUATION
Price at Launch: US$3,917
Excellent: US$170,000
Good: US$133,000
Average: US$72,600
Poor: US$46,500
