Barn-Fresh 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Project

The copy is, you might say, terse. “1957 Chevrolet Corvette Project car. Will need a full restoration.” That’s it. Fortunately, the many photos tell most of the story. The car is here on eBay in Walker, Louisiana, and bidding has topped $12,000 with—as you might expect—the reserve not met.

Corvette owners, or aspiring owners, are fanatics, so the availability of a probably unknown, hidden-away 1957 example is likely to set off a feeding frenzy, regardless of how much information is present. Fifteen people have bid so far. So what do we know?

The ‘Vette was mostly stripped down for a paint job that never came. That could have happened a long time ago. Many photos show buckets of parts, but the buyer isn’t going to know ahead of time if it’s all there. The (red) seats are in place, but we don’t get a close look at them. Most other parts are off the car, including the windshield. There’s an engine, or at least most of one, but it’s impossible to know if it’s original. The instruments are in a bucket.

If this was a Concours ’57 Vette it would be worth $135,000, Hagerty says. This one has the potential to be in that stellar realm, though you’ll need a lot of imagination and an open checkbook. There’s no obvious body damage, so that’s a plus.

The big changes to Corvette were in 1956, when it gained a new body, roll-up windows and a better top. The original “Blue Flame” six also exited, and the sole engine choice that year was the 265-cubic-inch V-8 with 210 to 240 horsepower. That was hooked to a three-speed manual or a Powerglide automatic.

For 1957, the engine grew to a 283 (4.6 liters), and both a four-speed manual and fuel injection became options. A range of power options was available, from bigger wheels to race suspension, but it’s not likely this one has any of that. The ad does specify that the engine is a 283.

GM only sold 3,647 Corvettes in 1957, which makes this car relatively rare. And desirable? You betcha. My guess is that aficionados are going to bid first and look closely second.