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Crispy Fuelie: 1957 Chevrolet Corvette

What a horrific sight! This Fuelie Corvette was a beautiful car not that long ago, but it was struck by tragedy. As a matter of fact, take a look at what it once looked like below and it will make you sick. Before you continue on though, you can find this Corvette for sale here on eBay out of Marshall, Michigan with a current bid of $5,200 and no reserve. So for those who can stomach it, read on to learn more about what happened and what’s salvageable…

Okay, kudos to you brave souls who are still with me here. We know that 1957 Corvettes were rather popular, if exclusive, as “America’s Sports Car” in the early days. Introduced to the market after much public interest in 1953, the 1957 offered fuel injection, four-speed transmission, and a 283-ci V8 for the first time. Visually very similar to the previous year, they were finally beginning to sell well. I may be preaching to the converted here when I assert that the C1 Corvettes really got the ball rolling for American sports cars. Just look at how fantastic this Corvette once looked!

So, what happened? The seller tells us that this ’57 and his ’58 were both heavily damaged when his garage caught fire. We can see the body and interior ruin, but we’re told that the drivetrain and some body-related components are not complete losses. We also see the mechanical fuel injection and four-speed transmission present, and we’re told that it actually does still roll, steer, turn over and shift through the gears.

So, knowing what we do about what happened and what’s left salvageable, and if you had the money, do you think it’s worth repairing, or should it be parted out?

Comments

  1. Avatar DayDreamBeliever

    Ouch!

    What a bummer for the owner. I am wondering why the insurance company doesn’t possess the car. This is the type of thing I’d expect to see in a COPART setting. Maybe the owner bought it back because he thought he could do better in an auction than what the residual insurance value was? Good grief I hope that it was not uninsured!

    I will be traveling through the area twice tomorrow (Saturday) on my way to and from N. Indiana. If someone seriously wants eyes on this car, I can give it a shot.

    Like 22
  2. Avatar David

    For a very small fee on top of your premium, my insurance company will simply return your classic vehicle to you if it is a total loss. This could be how they retained what’s left of the car.

    Like 8
  3. Avatar stillrunners

    Sometimes – as I have done – you can settle at a price that let’s you keep the car.

    Two of my total’s I still own and drive.

    Like 7
  4. Avatar jf85tr99

    So sad, especially considering it was a fuelie. Glad to hear no one was hurt. Hopefully some of it will be salvaged. A good hand, or a deep pocket could do a lot with this.

    J

    Like 3
  5. Avatar jf85tr99

    So sad, especially considering it was a fuelie, beautiful color combo to kick. Glad to hear no one was hurt in the fire. A good hand or a deep pocket could do wonders with this one.

    J

    Like 5
  6. Avatar Rodney - GSM

    Very sad when the Fuelie becomes the fuel…

    Like 13
  7. Avatar TimM

    So sad I really don’t have the words!! To me it’s not just a car it’s a work of art!!

    Like 5
  8. Avatar Mountainwoodie

    Throw two skeletons in there and park it outside a toll plaza with one of those : “Drunk driving kills” displays.

    Reminds me of a used car salesman whose polyester leisure suit caught fire in the heyday of bad taste on the loose.

    On a more serious note every night I close the garage door i gaze at my shelves of car cleaning products, brake fluid, oil etc. and hope nothing spontaneously combusts

    Like 10
  9. Avatar OhU8one2

    I believe it is totally impossible to get the smell of smoke out of any part. There will always be that lingering scent. I was always told, if it ever catches fire, let it burn. Even parts made from steel will be distorted, aluminum will melt, glass breaks,rubber turns to goo. Sorry, but it’s the truth in the car world.

    Like 7
  10. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    I saw at one point one of the major sellers (can’t remember which one at the moment) had complete replacement bodies available. Such a shame to see such a loss.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Mike

      Corvette Central sells a complete replacement body for $14,900.

      Like 2
  11. Avatar Superdessucke

    I can’t believe this crispy critter has brought almost $6,000. This was a $1,000 car at best five years ago!

    Like 2
  12. Avatar Coventrycat

    Most realistic flame job I’ve seen.

    Like 12
  13. Avatar Bruce Y Turk

    Show it in a Modern “Art” Gallery. Will sell in the high six figures…

    Like 1
  14. Avatar James Martin

    Fire, bet that sheet metal is warped lol.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Rob George

    I lost 4 classics in a garage fire. Fire started with my 58 Corvette and it burned everything in my and nearly my home. The burned cars: 1958 Corvette, 1966 Fairlane GT, 1955 Thunderbird, 1937 ChevyTruck 1/2 Ton. These cars all were perfect show cars. Gone.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Red Racer

      I realize the loss is devastating. but hopefully the cars were insured?(by one of the specialty companies)

      Like 2
  16. Avatar Ted

    I want to cry looking at this, not as much for the car, but for the owner. I know how’d I feel if my Mustang/Ducati 998/SV650 all went up in flames.

    Like 4
    • Avatar dweezilaz

      Same here, Ted, and I have cars that, with the exception of one, would bring zero tears to anyone’s eyes if they were turned into molten lumps.

      Like 2
  17. Avatar Davis

    Just a little spring molting, should brush right out….

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Johnmloghry

    How sad. At first I thought replacement fiberglass body (reproduction), but then I read the comments and realized everything was probably distorted. Maybe just part it out to help someone else that needs parts. If any are left that haven’t been damaged.

    Like 1
  19. Avatar Kevin McCabe

    As a previous poster has noted, reproduction bodies are available for these Corvettes, and this is the perfect candidate for one. Yes, all of the metal parts remaining will require complete disassembly, cleaning, repairing, refinishing and reassembly, but those are all things that would be done on a ground up restoration. No, the car will not be worth what it was prior to the fire, but it can still be made to look just as good and as long as the new owner is honest about the car having a replacement body, all will be good.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Terry R Melvin

      It will have a branded title. If a person wants to spend the time and money, fine, as long as he wants to keep it and not try to make a buck. It would have to be a lifetime owner, because the person would never “make his money back”.

      Like 1
  20. Avatar Brian L Weyeneth

    Tough for the owner but that is why we carry insurance Those wheels though? Yikes!

    In the future, showing pictures of BBQ should look like this

    Like 1
    • Avatar JOHN Member

      I’m sure those wheels are just rollers… based on the condition of the car the tires likely didn’t survive.

      Like 2
  21. Avatar Doug

    Current bid: $9800.00! 1 hour 21 minutes to go…

    Like 1
  22. Avatar Marcus T. Guy

    A great candidate for a vintage road racer project or maybe a “Scaglietti” bodied ital-corvette recreation. You know the one Shelby got as a gift and was inspired to create the Cobra by. Though I believe that was a ’58. Tough loss!

    Like 1
  23. Avatar Mike

    That’s ah,…some flame job. I’d part it out.

    Like 1

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