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

I.D. NUMBERS

The serial number was in the same location as the 1956 model
Serial numbers ranged from E57S100001 to E57S106339
All Corvettes were V-8 powered and used a "V" serial number prefix
Position Character Description
1 E Corvette
2 & 3 57 1957
4 S Assembled in St. Louis, MO
5 to 10 100001 to 106339 production sequence
Engine serial number
1 to 7 0001001 sequential production number
8 F or T Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 10 Carburetion and transmission
EF four-barrel, synchromesh
EG dual four-barrel, high-lift cam, synchromesh
EH dual four-barrel, synchromesh
EL fuel-injection, high-lift cam
EM fuel-injection, synchromesh
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 red 57 vet
2-dr. Roadster - 2 passenger
$3176 2730 lb 6339

ENGINE

FeatureStandard EngineOptional EngineOptional EngineOptional EngineOptional Engine
TypeV-8, Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement283 cid (4.626 liters)
Bore & Stroke3.87 x 3.00 (98.3 x 76.2mm)
Compression ratio9.50:110.5:1
Brake horsepower220 @ 4800 rpm245250270283
Main bearingfive
CarburetorCarter four-barrel Model 3744925four-barrel carbRochester fuel injectiontwo four-barrel carbsRochester 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

Wheelbase102 inches (2.591 m)
Overall length168 inches (4.267 m)
Overall height51.9 inches (1.318 m)
Front tread57 inches (1.448 m)
Rear tread59 inches (1.499 m)
Ground Clearance6 inches (15 cm)
Wheels15" steel bolt-on wheels
Tires6.70 x 15
Front suspensionIndependent; unequal-length A-arms; coil springs, tube shocks
Rear suspensionLive axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, anti-roll bar, tubular shock absorbers
SteeringSaginaw worm-and-ball, 16:1 ratio, 37 foot turning circle
Rear axle typeHypoid semi-floating
BrakesFour-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 ratio3.70:1
Powerglide 2-speed axle ratio3.55:1
Optional axle ratios3.27:1, 4:11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPO 101Heater$110
RPO 102Signal-seeking AM radio$185
RPO 107Parking brake alarm$5
RPO 108Courtesy lights$8
RPO 109Windshield washer$11
RPO 276Five 15 x 5.5-inch wheels$14
RPO 2906.70 x 15 White sidewall tires$30
RPO 313Powerglide automatic transmission$175
RPO 419Auxiliary hardtop$200
RPO 426Electric power windows$55
RPO 440Optional cove color$18
RPO 469A283-cid 245-hp dual four-barrel carburetor V-8 engine with Duntov competition camshaft$170
RPO 579AV-8 283-cid 250-hp fuel-injection engine$450
RPO 579BV-8 283-cid 283-hp fuel-injection engine with Duntov competition camshaft$450
RPO 579EV-8 283-cid 283-hp fuel-injection engine with cold-air induction system$675
RPO 473Power-operated folding top mechanism$130
RPO 677Positraction axle with 3.70:1 ratio$45
RPO 678Positraction axle with 4.11:1 ratio$45
RPO 679Positraction axle with 4.56:1 ratio$45
RPO 684Heavy-duty racing suspension$725
RPO 685Four-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 PHOTOS


1957 Corvette

1957 Corvette

1957 Corvette

1957 Corvette

1957 Corvette

1957 Corvette

1957 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




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