Power Top Project: 1957 Chevrolet Corvette

Sitting in this garage is a classic that suffered a sad fate. It is a 1957 Corvette that was a victim of a fender bender in the 1960s. It was disassembled for repairs that never eventuated and now needs a new home. It is a “what you see is what you get” proposition, meaning the winning bidder faces a long shopping list of parts to return it to its former glory. That hasn’t discouraged some people, with fourteen bids submitted since the seller listed it here on eBay in Columbia Cross Roads, Pennsylvania. The price sits below the reserve at $9,000, although there is a BIN of $25,000 for those wishing to throw caution to the wind.

This Corvette has plenty of unknowns, beginning with its original paint shade. Chevrolet only offered seven choices on the ’57 color palette, but there are so many different ones in various locations it is impossible to be sure which is the factory one. I think it may have worn Venetian Red, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it! That is a minor consideration because the 1960s accident significantly damaged the fiberglass. Addressing it won’t be for the faint-hearted, and I believe the winning bidder will require the services of a specialist to ensure a high-end repair. It is unclear whether the frame suffered any damage in the impact, but the seller doesn’t mention any issues in the listing. The deal includes a replacement original passenger-side door, but the shopping for body, glass, and trim items will be long. The seller supplies a complete power top mechanism, which the new owner will undoubtedly appreciate. The wheels aren’t original, but that is another minor consideration in a project of this magnitude.

The Corvette’s interior throws us more mysteries by being trimmed in Black. This wasn’t an option in 1957, with Chevrolet introducing it in 1959. It is another aspect requiring plenty of work, although the seller includes the original dash shell and a collection of dash components as a starting point for the winning bidder. However, the deeper we dig, the more challenges the new owner faces in their quest to return this ‘Vette to active duty. It is possible that a previous owner threw the project in the “too hard” basket because the original engine and transmission are a distant memory. The engine bay would have housed a 283ci V8, but its specifications and the transmission type are unclear. The new owner could probably source era-correct replacements if they can unravel that mystery, although many may tread the restomod path. It will be a matter of personal preference, and either approach would be valid.

This 1957 Chevrolet Corvette would have turned heads in its prime and would do so today but for the wrong reasons. It will take deep dedication to return it to its rightful place on our roads, but it is possible. The build will require equal helpings of commitment and cash, although the bidding history suggests a few people believe they are up for the challenge. Do you feel that way, or will you sit out this dance?