1957 Corvette

The 1957 Corvette looked the same as the 1956 model

The thumb-screw-adjusted review mirror of 1956 was replaced with a lock-nut type that required a wrench to adjust.
The big news was the availability of a 283-cid 283-hp fuel-injected V-8.
Among the standard features were:
- outside rearview mirror
- dual exhaust
- all-vinyl bucket seats
- three-spoke competition-style steering wheel
- carpeting
- electric clock
- tachometer
Seven colors were available:
- Code 704 Onyx Black (Black, White, or Beige top)
- Code 718 Polo White (Black, White, or Beige top)
- Code 709 Aztec Copper (White or Beige top)
- Code 712 Cascade Green (Black, White, or Beige top)
- Code 713 Arctic Blue (Black, White, or Beige top)
- Code 714 Venetian Red (Black, White, or Beige top)
- Code 804 Inca Silver (Black or White top)
Three optional color choices for the side cove:
- White
- Silver
- Beige

V.I.N. NUMBERS

1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 10	EF	four-barrel, synchromesh transmission
	EG	dual four-barrel, high-lift cam, synchromesh transmission
	EH	dual four-barrel, synchromesh transmission
	EL	fuel-injection, high-lift cam
	EM	fuel-injection, synchromesh transmission
	EN	fuel-injection, high-lift cam
	FG	Powerglide, dual four-barrel
	FH	Powerglide
	FK	Powerglide, fuel-injection

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
2934	2934	1957 Corvette 2-dr. Roadster 2 passenger	$3176	2730 lb	6339

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	283 cid (4.626 liters)
Bore & Stroke	3.87 x 3.00 (98.3 x 76.2mm)
Compression ratio	9.50:1				10.5:1
Brake horsepower	220 @ 4800 rpm	245	250	270	283
Main bearing	five
Carburetor	Carter four-barrel Model 3744925	four-barrel carb	Rochester fuel injection	two four-barrel carbs	Rochester fuel injection

All engines had hydraulic lifters except solid lifter camshaft used with EL and EG engines

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission	Optional Manual Transmission	Automatic Transmission
Close-ratio three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter (available after May, 1957)	Two-speed Powerglide transmission (optional)

CHASSIS

Wheelbase	102 inches (2.591 m)
Overall length	168 inches (4.267 m)
Overall height	51.9 inches (1.318 m)
Front tread	57 inches (1.448 m)
Rear tread	59 inches (1.499 m)
Ground Clearance	6 inches (15 cm)
Wheels	15" steel bolt-on wheels
Tires	6.70 x 15
Front suspension	Independent; unequal-length A-arms; coil springs, tube shocks
Rear suspension	Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, anti-roll bar, tubular shock absorbers
Steering	Saginaw worm-and-ball, 16:1 ratio, 37 foot turning circle
Rear axle type	Hypoid semi-floating
Brakes	Four-wheel hydraulic, internal-expanding, 11-inch diameter drums, 157 square inches effective lining area (121 square inches with optional sintered metallic linings)
Standard 3-speed axle ratio	3.70:1
Powerglide 2-speed axle ratio	3.55:1
Optional axle ratios	3.27:1, 4:11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPO 101	Heater	$110
RPO 102	Signal-seeking AM radio	$185
RPO 107	Parking brake alarm	$5
RPO 108	Courtesy lights	$8
RPO 109	Windshield washer	$11
RPO 276	Five 15 x 5.5-inch wheels	$14
RPO 290	6.70 x 15 White sidewall tires	$30
RPO 313	Powerglide automatic transmission	$175
RPO 419	Auxiliary hardtop	$200
RPO 426	Electric power windows	$55
RPO 440	Optional cove color	$18
RPO 469A	283-cid 245-hp dual four-barrel carburetor V-8 engine with Duntov competition camshaft	$170
RPO 579A	V-8 283-cid 250-hp fuel-injection engine	$450
RPO 579B	V-8 283-cid 283-hp fuel-injection engine with Duntov competition camshaft	$450
RPO 579E	V-8 283-cid 283-hp fuel-injection engine with cold-air induction system	$675
RPO 473	Power-operated folding top mechanism	$130
RPO 677	Positraction axle with 3.70:1 ratio	$45
RPO 678	Positraction axle with 4.11:1 ratio	$45
RPO 679	Positraction axle with 4.56:1 ratio	$45
RPO 684	Heavy-duty racing suspension	$725
RPO 685	Four-speed manual transmission	$175

HISTORICAL NOTES

Production of the 1957 Corvette began October 19, 1956.
The fuel-injected 1957 Corvette reached the magical one-horsepower-per-cubic-inch high-performance bracket
The Corvette's continuous-flow fuel-injection system was a joint effort of Zora Arkus-Duntov, John Dolza and General Motor's Rochester Division.
Only 1040 of the 1957 Corvettes were fuel-injected.
A 283-hp fuel-injection 1957 Corvette could go from 0-to-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and from 0-to-100 mph in 16.8 seconds.
It had a top speed of 132 mph.
Another important option was the competition suspension package RPO 684 which included heavy-duty springs, shocks, and roll bars, 16.3:1 quick-ratio steering; a Positraction differential; special brake cooling equipment; and Cerametallic brake linings.
Dick Thompson and Gaston Audrey won the 12-hour Sebring Race in Corvettes and Thompson took the SCCA B-production championship for the second year in a row

1957 CORVETTE