1957 Corvette

Description

The Chevrolet Corvette was introduced in 1953 as Chevy's first two-seater sports car. The original generation of the Corvette, which lasted from 1953 to 1962, is now referred to as the C1.

The 1956-57 Corvettes were a major styling change over the 1953-55 Corvettes. This included different front fenders with protruding headlights, a recessed side cove which was optionally painted a different color, and tapered rear fenders with recessed tail lights.

While the 56 and 57 Corvettes were virtually identical on the exterior, 1957 saw some significant changes, performance wise.

Displacement of the small block Chevy V-8 engine was enlarged from 265 to 283 cubic inches. It was also the first year that a 4-speed manual transmission was available. But most significantly, 1957 saw the introduction of the now famous fuel-injected engine. With 283 cubic inches, it was rated at 283 horsepower with solid lifters and 250 hp with hydraulic lifters.

1957 was also the last year of single headlights.

1957 Corvette Key Differences

Front fenders with protruding single headlights (not covered with a grill), and tapered rear fenders with recessed tail lights set the '56 and '57 Corvette apart from other years.

Key differences of the 1957 Corvette include the 283 cu in engine, available fuel injection, and the optional four-speed manual.

Similar Years

The 1956 and 1957 Corvettes are virtually the same on the exterior.

How to Identify a 1957 Corvette

Overview

• C1 Corvette body style (1953 - 1962)

1957 Corvette Grill

• Front grill is set between the front bumpers and had 13 vertical bars (1953 - 1957)
• Single headlights (1953 - 1957)

1957 Corvette Headlight

• Front fenders extend past the front grill to house a single headlight on each side (1956 - 1957)

1957 Corvette Tail Light

• Tail lights are recessed into the leading edge of the rear fenders (1956 - 1957)

1957 Corvette Rear Fenders

• Rear fenders are tapered and do not have fins like the '53 - '55 Corvettes (1956 - 1960)
• Exhaust tips exit through the rear bumpers (1953 - 1960)

1957 Corvette Side Cove

• Recessed side cove could be optionally painted a different color (1956 - 1961)

1957 Corvette Fuel Injection

• Optional fuel injection debuted for 1957 (1957 - 1966)

1957 Corvette Fuel Injection Emblem

• 1957 Fuel Injected Corvettes (fuelies) had a special side insignia (1957 - 1966)

1957 Corvette Front Emblem

• The front emblem was the same as last year (1956 - 1962)

1957 Corvette Trunk Emblem

• The trunk emblem was also the same as the previous year (1956 - 1962)

1957 Corvette Dash

• The dash remained unchanged (1953 - 1957)

1957 Corvette Wheel

• Most '57 Vettes came with full-wheel hubcaps rather than these center caps

More 1957 Corvette Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1957 Corvettes, visit the C1 Corvette Image Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

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