This 1957 Chevrolet Corvette isn’t perfect, but it ticks many of the boxes that help it appeal to enthusiasts. However, lifting its presentation from excellent to stunning could be achieved in a home workshop, while the rebuilt V8 only requires minor tuning to perform at its best. Those are tasks facing a new owner, with the Corvette listed here on eBay in Wichita, Kansas. Bidding sits below the reserve at $65,300, although it reached that point following some intense auction action.

After early production and sales hitches that placed a question mark over the viability of the entire program, the Corvette was beginning to cement its place in the market by the time our feature car rolled off the line in 1957. Sales had almost doubled from the previous year, with Chevrolet offering new drivetrain options that provided impressive performance gains. The owner confirms this ‘Vette spent most of its life in California, receiving a frame-off restoration at an undisclosed time. They supply several shots of the frame once refreshed, and the recent underside images show no evidence of deterioration since work ended. We receive no information from the Trim Tag, but if the restoration was faithful, it makes this car 1-of-909 ordered in Onyx Black with Silver coves. Magnifying the supplied photos confirms the vehicle might benefit from a wet sand and polish to present at its best, but there are no significant flaws or imperfections that might prompt a repaint. The fiberglass is excellent, with the seller stating the car has never suffered any hits or repairs. They include both a hard and soft-top that are in good order. The trim and glass look acceptable for a driver-grade classic, and the wide whitewalls add a classy finishing touch.

Purists will be pleased to learn this Corvette is a numbers-matching classic. Those with an eye on performance will approve of the drivetrain configuration. Tilting the hood reveals the 283ci Dual-Quad V8, which sends 270hp and 285 ft/lbs of torque to a Posi rear end via a four-speed manual transmission. The Dual-Quad option wasn’t quite as potent as the range-topping Fuelie, but it represented excellent value for money since it was only 25% of the price. It allowed the Corvette to cover the ¼-mile in 15.4 seconds on its way to 134mph, both numbers considered impressive at that time. The seller indicates the engine was recently rebuilt and that this classic runs and drives. They say it requires a tune-up to perform at its best, but that shouldn’t pose many challenges or cost a fortune. Once the work is complete, this gem should attract attention and respect every time the winning bidder lifts the hood.

One aspect of this Corvette requiring little attention is its interior. The new owner needs to install the supplied headliner into the hardtop, but that is their only task. While the seller doesn’t mention it specifically, I believe the interior received a retrim during the restoration. There is no wear or physical damage on the carpet or upholstered surface, the paint is spotless, and the wheel is free from wear. There are no aftermarket additions, with this classic retaining its original radio and heater.

I believe the supplied photos and information would make classifying this 1957 Corvette as an unfinished restoration project fair. The spotless frame indicates it has seen little active service since the body was bolted back into place. The list of required tasks isn’t extensive, and a competent new owner could tackle many. Do people like what they see? I think the answer is a resounding yes. The auction opened at $10,000 and took under two days and twenty-five bids to reach its current level. There is plenty of time for both to climb, but are you tempted to contribute to the action? We’d love to know the outcome if you do.