1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Roadster

This 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible was offered for sale at the 2007 Christies auction of 'Exceptional Motor Cars at the Monterey Jet Center.' It is red with a red interior and a white soft top. The engine is a 265 cubic-inch V8 capable of producing 270 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual gearbox, and drum brakes can be found in the front and rear.

The US market was eager for sports cars in the post-war era, however, the Corvette did not enjoy overwhelming success during its first few years. When Ford introduced their Thunderbird, sales outpaced the Covertte by 24 to 1. Corvette production for the first three years was around 4,000 units; that was roughly the number of pre-orders Ford had accumulated before the Thunderbird was even produced. Some argued that its popularity was attributed to the Thunderbird's styling, while others proclaimed it was the potent V8 power. Thunderbirds sold well, while the 1955 Corvettes sat in showrooms.

Chevrolet decided a restyling was in order. In 1956 the Corvette had more prominent headlights, stylish coves on the body sides, and the loss of fins in the rear. The interior was new, with roll-up windows that made the car more enjoyable and likable. These redesigns were courtesy of Harley Earl, GM's Design Director, and many agreed that it was exactly what the car needed; a true appearance of a serious sport car.

The new Corvette encompassed more than just styling improvements; Zora Arkus-Duntov reworked the chassis, tightened up the steering, and improved the vehicle's response and handling. A 265 cubic-inch V8, designed by Henry Barr and Edward N. Cole, was placed in the engine bay. To prove the vehicle's worth, it was entered in competition. At the 12 Hours of Sebring, a Corvette finished in ninth place, proving its speed and endurance.

For 1957, little changed. Chevrolet included dual exhausts, all vinyl bucket seats, and a three-spoke 'competition' steering wheel as standard equipment. The 283 horsepower V8 engine was offered as optional equipment.

This Venetian Red example has a radio, heater, defroster, and air conditioning. It has a dual-carburetted engine with high lift cams and a synchromesh gearbox. It has been treated to a restoration since new, though that was a number of years ago. It has been a part of a vast collection and has been a static display since the 1980s or very early 1990s. At auction, it was offered without reserve and estimated to sell for $55,000 - $125,000. This beautiful piece of American history did find a new owner and was sold for $60,500, including the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2007