If a car as desirable as a 1957 Corvette “Fuelie” loses its original engine, is that likely to dampen buyer interest? If the bidding history on this car is an accurate indication, the answer appears to be “no.” It is unlikely to reach the same level it could have if it were numbers-matching, but this Corvette has already attracted fifty-two bids since the seller listed it here on eBay. This classic is located in Groveland, Florida, and the intense activity has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $45,100.
After a stumbling start that nearly saw the badge consigned to history, the Corvette began to hit its stride by 1957. A sales record of 6,339 cars cemented its place in the Chevrolet product range, and the figures continued to grow. This ‘Vette wears Venetian Red paint with Beige coves and is 1-of-716 ordered in that combination. The seller states that the photos don’t do the car justice. They admit it has accumulated a few chips, but its presentation is equivalent to an excellent driver-quality classic. It is a two-owner vehicle, with its original owner retaining it for more than forty years. Both owners have garage-kept this Chevy, making its rust-free frame unsurprising. The fiberglass shows no evidence of crazing or stress cracks, but it is worth noting there is no soft-top or hardtop. That means that unless the new owner invests in one of those items, it will remain a fair-weather proposition, as it has done throughout its life. Rounding out the package are trim, chrome, and glass that looks spotless.
Lifting the hood reveals the aspect of this Corvette that significantly impacts its potential value. The engine bay originally housed a 283ci fuel-injected V8. It is unclear which version it was, so the power output could have been between 250hp and 283hp. The seller indicates the engine suffered a catastrophic failure in the early 2000s, with its place taken by a 350ci Crate Motor. Once again, its specifications are unknown, but it sends its power to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Since this is a two-owner classic, the seller may be able to shed some light on the whereabouts of the Fuelie V8, which could open the possibility of using some of its components to return the car to its original specifications. Otherwise, sourcing a date-correct 283 shouldn’t be difficult, and I had no trouble locating a rebuilt fuel injection system for $5,000. I acknowledge that it is a significant investment, but it could prove worthwhile to increase this Corvette’s potential value. The seller says the vehicle runs and drives extremely well, with no mechanical problems or issues.
The Corvette’s interior presentation is on par with its exterior, meaning there are no major problems. The shifter boot is missing, but replacements retail for around $75. The Red upholstered surfaces are from wear or other issues, with the same true of the carpet and wheel. The painted surfaces are as clean as you could hope to find, while the gauges are crystal clear. There are no aftermarket additions, and there’s little doubt that this aspect of the Corvette would receive favorable comments at a Cars & Coffee.
I initially raised the question of whether losing its original fuel-injected V8 had reduced this 1957 Corvette’s desirability, and I boldly said that it hadn’t. However, that statement deserves justification. Although the bidding has been intense, I doubt it will reach the price the owner may have achieved if the car were 100% original. Its overall condition and ownership history would have comfortably seen it top $80,000, although I wouldn’t have been surprised if it landed in six-figure territory. Do you agree?
Think I’d just get the suspension down to it’s original level and drive it. The 350 has to be a ball to be behind.
This ’57 lacks any evidence that it was factory injected.
The accelerator linkage arm at the firewall is the carburetor design, the cove emblems are incorrectly positioned, and the passenger side exhaust manifold is a much later casting.
I don’t know how anyone could come to the conclusion that this car had a fuel injected engine when new. Based on what proof?
Can a serial, or vin number confirm engine?
No, not on old Corvettes.
You can build a fake that will fool 99.9% of the people (certainly including me) from reproduction parts. However, the owner of this car didn’t bother. He just slapped some FI emblems on the side coves in the wrong places and called it good.
This car has some frame mods. Looks like some serious traction bar mounts were welded on in front of the mufflers. The frame was given additional holes for big exhaust pipes too.
The poor fits of the trunk and grill oval make me skeptical of the “no accidents” claim. And how the current owner could know that this car was always garaged and never driven in the rain/snow is a mystery.
The non-stock fonky clutch linkage implies this car originally had a Powerglide automatic. Based on the Hurst shifter ball, it now has a later four-speed transmission.
With such a BS description and without any top at all, I strongly advise a personal inspection before bidding. This thing has a whole bunch of later and aftermarket parts on it. If you’re happy with the way it is right now, that may be fine with you. But I think it’s a little overpriced already.
My knowledge of Corvette”s isn’t the greatest, but I like a lot of things about this car. If I were able to buy one ,I believe this one would check all the boxes I would want.
My dentist’s then new 57 started my love of Corvettes. I enjoy seeing them race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VxFYoGPpEQ
Was your dentist Dr.Dick Thompson from Washington, DC? AKA “The Flying Dentist”
Fuelie or not these early C1’s are always desirable. This one with a NOM I think will be a hard sell at the money involved, No roof of any kind but the lid shows signs of it once having a hardtop ? Funny that it has a antenna for a radio but also a block off plate for a car without a radio, A Corvette novice will wind up with this C1 at the current money only cause they can afford it and don’t worry about originality or correctness. PEACE OUT.
I see the latches for a soft top. Would love to know if it has one?
In 1958, talked a salesman into a test drive in a car like this. Read it would do 60 mph in first gear. It did!
Guys like you are the single reason NO ONE test drives my vehicles.. You can stress test it after you own it!
You’re right! 18 yr olds aren’t too smart.
Jerry is correct about the accelerator linkage and emblem placement. My 57 judging experience and my original 57 I have had since ’64 uphold this. Note the radio block off plate is not one used originally on 56 or 57 Corvettes.
My dad had a radio delete 58. He added a radio and then wired the spears on the trunk as his antenna. Have you ever seen that done?
The fuel injection emblems in the coves are not placed properly the flags are to far behind the fuel injection emblems. Can’t make out the face on the tach but that is a good place to look for the injected cars hah a higher red line.