1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 Roadster

This 315-horsepower Corvette was delivered new and race-ready from the factory to Bob Mouat in Baltimore, Maryland, who competed successfully against such drivers as Don Yenko and Dr. Dick Thompson. It raced almost continuously until 1965 on east coast tracks, including Watkins Glen, VIR, Bridgehampton, and Marlboro Raceway.

It is one of 28 known '57 Corvettes equipped with the RPO684 'big brake package' as well as RP0579D 'airbox' options. It is one of six with factory-upgraded traction bars, an electric fuel pump, and a competition exhaust. Power is supplied by a 283 cubic-inch V8.

The car was restored in 2007.

For 1957, the 283 cubic-inch lightweight and durable small block engine were complimented with competition options such as a Racing Suspension package with high-performance sintered metallic brake linings. Wide wheels, Positraction rear axles in three ratios, and a four-speed transmission option allowed Corvette buyers to create a competitive car that could do battle with Europe's best.

The engine shocked the world in 1957 with its Rochester mechanical fuel injection system. Combined with the 'Duntov' solid lifter camshaft, the engine had a maximum output of 283 horsepower, meaning there was one horsepower per cubic inch of engine displacement.

In April of 1957, the performance packages were released and consisted of two options, RPO 684 (heavy-duty suspension and brakes) and the one-year-only RPO 579E (solid lifter camshaft fuel injection engine with cold airbox). Cars that were equipped with this option became known as 'Airbox' cars. These cars had the upgraded, heavy-duty components and a heater and radio delete, a new four-speed transmission and the Rochester fuel injection with Duntov cam, an 'Airbox' that funneled cold air (the first Ram Air unit) from behind the grille to the fuel injection unit. The cars had heavy-duty shocks, roll bars and springs and a quicker steering ratio, finned brake drums, sintered metallic heat-resistant brake linings, vented backing plates, wide rim wheels, rear brake cooling duct system consisting of front vents connected to special tunnels through the rocker panels to the rear brakes, large scoops (known as 'elephant ears') and a mechanical 8000 RPM tachometer mounted on the steering column in front of the driver.

There were only 43 Corvettes equipped with the airbox equipped solid lifter 283 fuel injection engine created. Only 23 are known to exist. Zora added extra equipment to six of the cars for six special Corvette customers. One of them was Bob Mouat, a friend of Zora's group at the Marlboro race track, which included Dick Thompson and Bark Henry. Mouat received one of the six specially prepared COPO cars as a replacement for his 1956 Corvette. Part of the extra equipment included electric fuel pumps and traction control bars. Mouat's car was given hood and trunk straps and had the generator moved from the left side of the engine to the right. The engine builder and mechanic for this car was Bill Huffman.

Mouat took delivery of the car in early June from Anderson Chevrolet in Baltimore, Maryland. He raced it continuously from delivery until early 1965, with over 83 races during that time. It finished 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in 55 of those events in the B/Production category against drivers such as Dick Thompson, Don Yenko, Roger Penske, and Jim Jeffords. It is regarded as the most raced and winning first-generation Corvette ever.

Over the years, the Mouat's 1957 Corvette was continually modified, developed, and improved. This included porting the fuel injection system, modifications to the cooling system, and altered roll bar mounting points.

The odometer shows an original 38,000 miles, most were accumulated during racing. The second owner of the car, Vince Cox, took ownership of the car in 1969. The current owner purchased it from Cox after it had sat for nearly three decades. A restoration soon began, which was featured on eight episodes of the televisions Dream Car Garage program. It is finished in its 1963-64 racing livery.

The car has been shown at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance where it won an Amelia Award (Blue Ribbon). It was selected as one of the Bloomington Special Collection in 2007 and invited to the Quail Motorsport Gathering in 2008. It was featured on the cover of the Norton Products calendar and has been featured in articles in multiple magazines, including Corvette and Corvette Fever.

In 2009, this Chevrolet Corvette 'Airbox' Fuel Injection COPO Race Car was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction in Seabrook, Texas, presented by Worldwide Auctioneers. It was estimated to sell for $700,000 - $900,000. Bidding began at $300,000 and would rise to $540,000. Sadly, this was not enough to satisfy the car's reserve, and the lot was left unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2019