SOLD AT HEMMINGS AUCTIONS
This 1957 Chevrolet Corvette is powered by a factory optional (RPO 469C) 283ci 270hp V8, mated to a three-speed manual transmission and was acquired by the current owner in late 2016 as an addition to his extensive collection of classic American vehicles. This “frame-off” restored C1 Corvette is now offered by the selling dealer with a clean California title.
The car is finished in Arctic Blue with Beige coves and a Beige interior. The car is fitted with a white soft top that can be seen in the gallery of photos. Exterior details include a driver-side mirror, dual exhaust pipes exiting through the rear bumpers, and restored yellow & black period front & rear license plates carrying December 2022 expiration dates. The car underwent a complete frame/body/interior restoration in 2008/2009 followed by a mechanical restoration of engine/driveline and interior gauge restoration in 2016.
15” steel wheels wear full wheel covers with faux-knock-off spinners and are mounted with 205/75 American Classic whitewall tires with 2010 date codes. The extensive mechanical restoration was completed in late 2016. Documented by receipts, the work included a complete engine rebuild, overhaul of both 4bbl carburetors, rebuilt starter and generator, rebuilt transmission, new clutch and related components, new heater box and restoration of heater system, wheel restoration, fresh cooling system, and rebuilt speedometer set to 0 and now reflecting 225 miles travelled since the 2016 mechanical restoration.
The entire interior was overhauled in 2008 including new seating, foam padding, springs, crème colored vinyl upholstery door panels, carpeting, and trim per file documentation. A replacement dash pad was also installed, with upgrades including a later model “Corvette” cassette radio. Chrome and stainless-steel accents and the dash-mounted rearview mirror were re-chromed/replated and all new rubber and felt trim were added.
A three-spoke, Chevrolet Corvette logo steering wheel fronts a white-painted dash housing a 140-mph speedometer and a centrally oriented 6k-rpm tachometer that is flanked by an ammeter, an analog clock, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 225 miles, reportedly the miles recorded since the complete engine rebuild in October 2016, though total mileage is unknown.
The numbers matching 283ci V8 features dual Carter carburetors and was rated at 270 horsepower when new. The numbers matching 3-speed transmission received an overhaul in 2016 along with several additional factory correct components. The photo gallery shows many casting and other numbers including engine casting, carburetor tags, transmission, driveshaft, bell housing, rear axle & case #’s along with a document decoding date codes. A photo of the engine block stamping of F504EG (5/4/1957 production) is also shown.
The three-speed manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels and file documentation supports a complete rebuild of the braking system, axle seals, wheel cylinders, front & rear brakes, and related components. Additional underside images are presented in the gallery and reflect the detailed frame-off undercarriage restoration.