Corvette history 1957

	1957 CORVETTE

The 1957 Corvette looked the same as the 1956 model.
The thumb-screw-adjusted review mirror of 1956 was replaced with a lock-nut type that required a wrench to adjust.
The big news was the availability of a 283-cid 283-hp fuel-injected V-8.
Among the standard features were:
- outside rearview mirror
- dual exhaust
- all-vinyl bucket seats
- three-spoke competition-style steering wheel
- carpeting
- electric clock
- tachometer
Seven colors were available:
- Code 704 Onyx Black (Black, White, or Beige top)
- Code 718 Polo White (Black, White, or Beige top)
- Code 709 Aztec Copper (White or Beige top)
- Code 712 Cascade Green (Black, White, or Beige top)
- Code 713 Arctic Blue (Black, White, or Beige top)
- Code 714 Venetian Red (Black, White, or Beige top)
- Code 804 Inca Silver (Black or White top)
Three optional color choices for the side cove:
- White
- Silver
- Beige

I.D. NUMBERS

The serial number was in the same location as the 1956 model

Serial numbers ranged from E57S100001 to E57S106339

All Corvettes were V-8 powered and used a "V" serial number prefix

Position	Character	Description
1	E	Corvette
2 & 3	57	1957
4	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
5 to 10	100001 to 106339	production sequence

Engine serial number

1 to 7

0001001

sequential production number

F or T

Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY

9 to 10

Carburetion & transmission

EF	four-barrel, synchromesh
EG	dual four-barrel, high-lift cam, synchromesh
EH	dual four-barrel, synchromesh
EL	fuel-injection, high-lift cam
EM	fuel-injection, synchromesh
EN	fuel-injection, high-lift cam
FG	Powerglide, dual four-barrel
FH	Powerglide
FK	Powerglide, fuel-injection

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
2934	2934	2-dr. Roadster - 2 passenger	$3176	2730 lb	6339

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	283 cid
Bore & Stroke	3.87 x 3.00
Compression ratio	9.50:1				10.5:1
Brake horsepower	220 @ 4800 rpm	245	250	270	283
Main bearing	five
Carburetor	Carter four-barrel Model 3744925	four-barrel carb	Rochester fuel injection	two four-barrel carbs	Rochester fuel injection

All engines had hydraulic lifters except solid lifter camshaft used with EL and EG engines

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission: Close-ratio three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter
Optional Manual Transmission: Close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter (available after May, 1957)
Automatic Transmission: Two-speed Powerglide transmission (optional)

CHASSIS

Wheelbase 102 inches 2.591 m
Overall length 168 inches 4.267 m
Overall height 51.9 inches 1.318 m
Front tread 57 inches 1.448 m
Rear tread 59 inches 1.499 m
Ground Clearance 6 inches 15 cm
Wheels 15" steel bolt-on wheels
Tires 6.70x15
Front suspension Independent; unequal-length A-arms; coil springs, tube shocks
Rear suspension Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, anti-roll bar, tubular shock absorbers
Steering Saginaw worm-and-ball, 16:1 ratio, 37 foot turning circle
Rear axle type Hypoid semi-floating
Brakes Four-wheel hydraulic, internal-expanding, 11-inch diameter drums, 157 square inches effective lining area (121 square inches with optional sintered metallic linings)
Standard 3-speed axle ratio 3.70:1
Powerglide 2-speed axle ratio 3.55:1
Optional axle ratios 3.27:1, 4:11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

Wheelbase	102 inches	2.591 m
Overall length	168 inches	4.267 m
Overall height	51.9 inches	1.318 m
Front tread	57 inches	1.448 m
Rear tread	59 inches	1.499 m
Ground Clearance	6 inches	15 cm
Wheels	15" steel bolt-on wheels
Tires	6.70x15
Front suspension	Independent; unequal-length A-arms; coil springs, tube shocks
Rear suspension	Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, anti-roll bar, tubular shock absorbers
Steering	Saginaw worm-and-ball, 16:1 ratio, 37 foot turning circle
Rear axle type	Hypoid semi-floating
Brakes	Four-wheel hydraulic, internal-expanding, 11-inch diameter drums, 157 square inches effective lining area (121 square inches with optional sintered metallic linings)
Standard 3-speed axle ratio	3.70:1
Powerglide 2-speed axle ratio	3.55:1
Optional axle ratios	3.27:1, 4:11:1, 4.56:1

RPO 101 Heater ($110)
RPO 102 Signal-seeking AM radio ($185)
RPO 107 Parking brake alarm ($5)
RPO 108 Courtesy lights ($8)
RPO 109 Windshield washer ($11)
RPO 276 Five 15 x 5.5-inch wheels ($14)
RPO 290 6.70 x 15 White sidewall tires ($30)
RPO 313 Powerglide automatic transmission ($175)
RPO 419 Auxiliary hardtop ($200)
RPO 426 Electric power windows ($55)
RPO 440 Optional cove color ($18)
RPO 469A 283-cid 245-hp dual four-barrel carburetor V-8 engine with Duntov competition camshaft ($170)
RPO 579A V-8 283-cid 250-hp fuel-injection engine ($450)
RPO 579B V-8 283-cid 283-hp fuel-injection engine with Duntof competition camshaft ($450)
RPO 579E V-8 283-cid 283-hp fuel-injection engine with cold-air induction system ($675)
RPO 473 Power-operated folding top mechanism ($130)
RPO 677 Positraction axle with 3.70:1 ratio ($45)
RPO 678 Positraction axle with 4.11:1 ratio ($45)
RPO 679 Positraction axle with 4.56:1 ratio ($45)
RPO 684 Heavy-duty racing suspension ($725)
RPO 685 Four-speed manual transmission ($175)

HISTORICAL NOTES

Production of the 1957 Corvette began October 19, 1956.
The fuel-injected 1957 Corvette reached the magical one-horsepower-per-cubic-inch high-performance bracket
The Corvette's continuous-flow fuel-injection system was a joint effort of Zora Arkus-Duntov, John Dolza and General Motor's Rochester Division.
Only 1040 of the 1957 Corvettes were fuel-injected.
A 283-hp fuel-injection 1957 Corvette could go from 0-to-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and from 0-to-100 mph in 16.8 seconds.
It had a top speed of 132 mph.
Another important option was the competition suspension package RPO 684 which included heavey-duty springs, shocks, and roll bars, 16.3:1 quick-ratio steering; a Positraction differential; special brake cooling equipment; and Cerametallic brake linings.
Dick Thompson and Gaston Audrey won the 12-hour Sebring Race in Corvettes and Thompson took the SCCA B-production championship for the second year in a row

1957 CORVETTE

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June 18, 1999