Beschreibung:

1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE FUEL INJECTED ROADSTER Chassis No. E57S105742 Venetian red with Shoreline beige and red interior Engine: V-8, 283ci., 250hp at 4,800rpm; Gearbox: four-speed manual; Suspension: Positraction, independent front, rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel drum. Left hand drive. America was sadly without a true sports car until Chevrolet introduced the Corvette at the 1953 Motorama Show and started production that year. The Corvette was popular upon introduction, although not many were sold. The early Corvettes were lower and sportier than any other car on the market, but they still lacked the innovative technology necessary to break open the market. Starting in 1955, Corvettes carried a V-8 engine which improved their performance, but their styling badly needed updating. Ford was producing the Thunderbird and it both out-styled and out-performed the Corvette. In order for Chevy to combat the T-bird and beat Ford in the sales wars, they needed to transform the Corvette into a serious sports car. In 1956 designer Harley Earl made a full-scale clay model of the new Corvette that was immediately approved by GM management. It was the car of the American dream. The distinctive coves were taken from a 1955 Motorama exercise called the La Salle II and became the trademark of the Vette through the fifties. Many greatly needed improvements were made, such as a better fitting and optionally motorized convertible top. The rear fenders were brought forward, thus exposing the lights. Chevy used real glass windows and even offered a power option. Every part of this car showed classic beauty, as it was styled more creatively than its predecessors, yet not as crazily as the Corvettes to come. Believing that great looks are not everything, Chevrolet made vast improvements under the hood as well. For 1957, the engine became the hottest of all. It was bored out to 283 cubic inches with three options. The base engine had 220 horsepower and with fuel injection it produced 250bhp, while with dual 4-barrels it generated 283hp. In May of that year the fuel injection option was increased to a 1:1 horsepower to cubic inch ratio. The 1:1 was just what Chevrolet needed to beat the competition, both in the market and on the track. Fuel-injected cars could also be ordered with a new four-speed manual transmission like the car offered here, giving the 1957 models an unprecedented level of straight line performance. While the very attractive Corvette styling was essentially carried over from the completely redesigned 1956 models, the words Fuel Injection and a crossed flag badge prominently displayed along the fender cove gave the cars immediate celebrity status. Additionally, Corvette won the SCCA B Sports national title and Class B production sports title for 1957. This example appears to be very original in all respects; it is unrestored and almost all of the paintwork looks to be original. It has all correct numbers for a Fuel Injection model and has the four speed manual transmission. The engine bay is dry and clean and a new radiator has been fitted recently. The interior has a lovely period feel to it with original Wonderbar radio and power windows fitted. The driver's seat squab is torn, but this should be a straightforward repair or replacement. Apart from a few scratches in places and one or two incorrect-type screws, the car has an instant, original feel and flavor. The recorded mileage shows 25,795. It comes with original spare wheel, tools and trunk mat. The hard top fitted is a later accessory to this car. Overall it seems too nice to restore this Corvette as it would be a fine contender in any 'survivor' field of entries.