Fantasy Junction

Description

1957 Corvette Fuel Injected Roadster
s/n E57S100398, Engine no. F924 EL
Venetian Red with White Coves and Red Interior

The decade of the 50s was an unprecedented time of American prosperity and innovation, especially in automobile design and manufacturing. Nowhere is this more evident than in the launch of the brand new Corvette in 1953. Conceived and assembled by sports car enthusiasts, the Corvette arrived with great fanfare, but initially met with lackluster sales. Undaunted, General Motors added more power and greater refinement to the Corvette with every passing year. By 1957, the writing was on the wall. The new 283 V8 with Fuel Injection boasted more than double the horsepower of the original offering four years earlier. Ticking the FI order box delivered 1hp per cubic inch with just a tap of your right foot. Performance was a staggering 0-60 in 5.9 seconds with a ¼ mile time of 14.3 seconds @ 100mph – commendable numbers even a half century later.

But the Corvette was more than just a performance car. It was a halo car for Chevrolet, offering customers a totally unique driving experience, clothed in a handsome Motorama-inspired design. The Corvette offered style and performance in an affordable package, capable of competing and besting nearly every European contender. This theme continues today sixty years later in one of the most technologically advanced cars of the century. But it all began in 1957 with Fuel Injected V8 engines tucked into a beautifully sculpted roadster, ready to change the sports car world forever.

This particular example is a matching numbers car including the engine, transmission, and fuel injection unit, as shown in the photo documentation completed during a comprehensive restoration. As this is an early series example, the manual transmission is the correct three-speed unit originally outfitted from the factory. The 1957 General Motors factory VIN shows this car to be the 398th car assembled in the total run of 6339 Corvettes produced. Of those cars, only 1040 were ordered with Fuel Injection and only 756 with the potent 283hp package. In addition to the rare Fuel Injection, this car is optioned with a removable hardtop, factory tachometer, and wide whitewall tires.

In 1994, the original owner sold the car back to the original selling dealer, who elected to restore the car. Over a two-year period, Harry Marx Chevrolet of Gilroy, CA restored this rare Corvette to a very high standard. The car was shown in their dealership showroom from 1996-2004 and then shipped to a Laredo, Texas collector where it was also shown for several years until 2009 when the current owner purchased the car. In 2014 the current owner commissioned renowned Corvette Fuel Injection specialist Chuck Smith to completely rebuild the FI unit at a cost of $3,000.00. Throughout the restoration process, all correct factory finishes, fasteners, and various details were researched and applied in order to complete the car to a high standard. A detailed notebook of photos documenting the restoration process, chassis components, engine assembly, and various sub-assemblies is included. In 1996 when the car was completely disassembled for restoration, the odometer reading was recorded at 80,515. Today the odometer reads 80,602, indicating fewer than 100 miles have been covered since the restoration began.

The following numbers appear on various components of the car:

Engine
Casting Number – 3731548
Pad Stamping – F924 EL (EL specific to 283hp FI motor)
Date Code – L146

Fuel Injection Unit
Serial Number – 1058
Part Number – 7014360

Intake Manifold
Casting Number - 3748947

Transmission
Early production 3-speed example
Casting number - 3743388

Today the car exhibits beautifully with excellent exterior finish overall - a tribute to the restoration done over twenty years ago. The paint remains very nice with excellent gloss and depth, showing just slight indications of age but otherwise very high quality throughout. The stylish white coves are beautifully finished, accented by stunning Fuel Injection script and Corvette competition crossed flags. Much of the exterior chrome is in excellent condition with only minor mellowing to an otherwise gleaming luster. Fit and finish of chrome trim is very good to excellent overall with a particularly nicely done grille and surrounding trim. Lighting and lenses are in excellent condition as are the front and rear emblems. All four intricate wheel covers are properly finished with correct two ear center knock offs, accented by Venetian Red painted rims nicely edging the wide whitewall tires. The matching Venetian Red factory hardtop fits nicely atop the car with excellent brightwork across the windshield header, delicately finished side trim, and beautifully clear curved rear and side glass. Overall the glass is excellent with the exception of a few tiny pits in the windshield.

The interior continues to delight any Corvette enthusiast with a sweeping two-tone dashboard, correct AM radio, assorted instruments, and juke box inspired 140mph speedometer. The matching red steering wheel with correctly polished three spoke and center hub are also nicely done and in excellent condition. Of particular note is the optional tachometer which features prominently in the center array of instruments. The seats, door panels, and various accent surfaces have been properly done in high quality materials with correct sheen and patterns. The embossed waffle pattern in the door panels and on the seats is correctly stamped as are the properly finished stamped aluminum trim panels and matching doorsill plates. There is slight wear to the driver’s side carpet foot well and slight material slack along the driver’s door panel armrest. The correct soft top accompanies the sale. The doors, hood, and trunk open and shut smoothly with excellent closures and gapping that excels beyond the original production quality.

During the restoration, all mechanical features were correctly restored and the owner has maintained both aesthetic and functional conditions throughout the car while it has been properly stored and occasionally shown. The engine compartment features correct finishes, proper factory hardware and fasteners, and shows little to no wear since the restoration was completed. The fit and finish of all components continues to the trunk compartment where the matching red trunk liner conceals a correct spare tire, factory jack and tools. The underside of the car is meticulously finished once again with correct factory finishes, proper fasteners and attention to detail that Corvette experts have worked diligently to preserve as part of the legacy of excellence maintaining the history of these exceptional cars. Viewing the various components, lines, and fittings, it is evident in the condition; this car has seen only minimal road use since restoration.

Road miles have been minimized recently but the car starts, runs, and drives as one might expect an essentially new Corvette to have driven in 1957. The car starts smoothly and settles into a nice idle. Once warmed up, first gear is easily engaged and smooth acceleration accompanies a growing growl as the revs climb. Steering and braking are consistent with expectations, though road miles have been mild, never pushing the limits of its performance capabilities. Purchase includes a notebook with reference information, documentation of the restoration, original CA black and yellow dealer license plate, 1957 Corvette operations manual, and assembly and instruction manual for 1956-1957 Corvette.

Superbly restored, rare in number, and highly desired by collectors and enthusiasts, this beautifully finished 1957 Fuel Injected Corvette is a stunning numbers matching example that honors the history and performance lineage of these great sports cars. Ready for show or go, this excellent example offers the next owner the opportunity to experience great American performance and style behind the wheel of the first truly great performance Corvette.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608