Listed on eBay, this 1957 Chevrolet Corvette convertible offers a blend of vintage American style and upgraded performance. According to the seller, it’s a Fuel Injection model that currently runs with a later 350 cubic-inch truck engine from around 1973 or 1974, paired to a 4-speed manual transmission. The car includes both a hardtop and a beige soft top, making it a complete package for anyone looking to own a piece of Corvette history that can still be enjoyed on the road.
The seller describes this Corvette as a driver-quality car, something you can start with and improve as you go. It runs and drives, but the ad notes that before taking it out on the open road, it should be checked over and gone through. For those who like to tinker or restore, this could be an appealing starting point.
While the current engine isn’t the original 283, the car comes with a period-correct 4520-series Fuel Injection unit, the same type used on 250- and 283-horsepower engines in 1957. The distributor is a series 905, and the setup reportedly produces around 300 horsepower thanks to the double-hump cylinder heads. Also included is a correct rear end and a new side molding to replace one that’s dented, giving the buyer a few key parts to continue refining the car.
Cosmetically, the seller rates the paint a 7 out of 10, describing it as nice but in need of a thorough detailing. The chrome trim is said to be in very good condition, and the frame underneath is clean—always an important consideration for a Corvette of this vintage. Inside, the tan interior presents well overall but would benefit from a good cleaning to bring it up to the car’s overall standard.
This Corvette is finished in green, a less common color for 1957 and one that gives it a distinctive presence compared to the more frequently seen red or white examples. For collectors, that originality and character might be part of the appeal.
The seller notes that overseas buyers are welcome, and the car comes with a clean title. With a mix of originality, performance upgrades, and included spare parts, it’s a solid candidate for someone who wants to own a mid-century icon without diving into a full restoration right away.
Would you restore this ’57 Corvette to factory specs or enjoy it as a vintage driver?
I find it interesting that the there are no comments before mine. Often there are 23 comments by now about a galaxy 500 or a nova or a cordoba. Seems like confirmation that the universe of interested buyers is no longer infinite. Many have already been celestially discharged
This car might be an okay buy if it’s priced right and you can drive it as-is. In my opinion, it’s maybe a $60,000 project at best. The ad is so poor I can’t really tell much about it.
The engine is relatively worthless. The seller doesn’t mention the VIN, much less show a clear photo of the tag. I see quite a few aftermarket and some homemade repair parts. Also, there are no good photos showing the soft top, FI-only firewall accelerator linkage, transmission, jacking tools, and full interior. The tires look ancient.
On the good side, the body looks straight with excellent panel gaps. However, I’m concerned about the misaligned “Fuel Injection” lettering on the passenger side. That usually means past collision damage. The chassis appears rust-free.
Once you buy the car, pay the taxes / fees, transport it, restore the FI, install a 283, and put it 100% stock, you’ll have spent enough to pay for an injected ’57 show car… and this one won’t be that nice. I’m gonna pass.
An-n-n-nd… here come the shill bidders!
I wish eBay could eliminate this practice. It seems that most of the car auctions these days have shills bid them up.
Why was the rear differential removed? With the cable operated tach distributor on the bench and a non-cable driven distributor installed non-operational tachometer? I can appreciate the removal of the FI unit, as many didn’t understand their operation and they could be finicky. But to me, this car screams, an owner who just wanted to drive it and did not car about originality. And my guess is the tires are way past safe use as the white walls have turned yellow. Good hot rod for cruising around. But no where near a Corvette Club show car.
Wayne, the factory tach was driven off the generator on 99% of injected ’57 Corvettes. The aftermarket tach in this car is probably triggered by the coil.
I actually like this car. I’m not going to compete against the shills, though. There are far too many unknowns that the ad doesn’t address. It may well have a factory VIN tag and be an injected, never-wrecked body that was originally Cascade Green, but I’m not traveling to Maryland to confirm it.
Not aware of the generator driven tach. Better not have belt slip!
My 1958 and ’57 Massey Fergusons have tach drive cables off their “up graded” alternators. And it makes sense the change over to the generator as space at the distributor with the FI unit in place would have been at a premium. Thanks for the info!
They got it exactly right on the ‘56-‘57’s. No geegaws , quad headlights, excess chrome. Just look how those fenders swoop over the wheels. The Italians do it like this.
I’m guessing the car was seriously drag raced at one time. The current rear end looks like a Pontiac or Olds with a 9.3″ ring gear. These were the most durable rear ends available in the fifties and sixties. Also, I can see where the front body mounts on the frame were cut out to clear side pipes or headers.
If that’s the original FI unit from this car, it was originally equipped with the 250hp FI engine.
Appreciate your knowledge and opinion. Grew up in that era and those 283 aspirated ‘57s were screamers!
My Dad’s ’58 with a .030 over 283 and a 4.10 rear gear was no slouch either. We lived in the far south suburbs of Chicago. The end of the Calumet Expressway ended at Saulk Trail with a traffic light. It continued for a few miles after that,but not as a limited access road. I remember riding with my Dad and sitting at the light in the right hand lane waiting for the light to change. The speed limit was 65 then. A VW Beelte was bearing down on the intersection and he knew that he would catch the green just as he got to the intersection. And so did my Dad. We caught and passed the VW before we left the intersection on the other side. To this day, I remember the expression on the passenger’s face. My Dad laughed so hard he was crying!
Have not experienced a F.I. 1957 first hand but had to be a screamer PLUS!
Ended at $50,600.
Reserve Not Met.
46 bids.