1957 Corvette Original Survivor base engine four speed

  • Location: Victorville, California, United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Chevrolet
  • Model: Corvette
  • Year: 1957
  • Mileage: 129000
  • VIN: E57S106179
  • Vehicle Title: Clear

1957 Chevrolet Corvette Description

1957 Corvette Original Survivor. This car is in excellent unrestored condition. It retains 100% of its original numbers matching drivetrain, Original base engine car with the rare four speed transmission offered only in late production for 1957. This car has never been out of Southern California I have paperwork and photos on the car since it was new, which of course will be included with the car. The last few photos are of the car when it was new pictured with the original owners. I'm the fourth owner of the car, The original owners kept the car from new until 1990 when it was then purchased by a former NCRS national team leader who was the second owner until 2011. Then it sold to a friend of mine in the Los Angeles area who had it for about three years, and lastly to myself. Since new this car has been owned and well cared for by people deeply interested in the vintage Corvette hobby. This car has been judged at a NCRS meet and received a second flight award which is actually pretty amazing considering that this car is unrestored and their system is set up to judge primarily restored cars. That would be one statement to show just how original the car is. The car has never ever been hit or damaged in any way, It has had only one lacquer repaint in its life. The frame is rock solid and the car still retains it California black plates put on all these years ago. This car is truly is something special, If you want a restored car they are out there dime a dozen but to find a unmolested original 1957 Corvette that has never been wrecked or pieced together as so many have is a task not many can achieve. I'll break down the rest of the description into categories. If you would like more information and/or photos just let me know, i'm happy to help.

Drivetrain:The engine and trans are completely original to the car. They have never been swapped, decked or stamped. The engine is the correct 548 block with original stamping and broach marks. The heads are the rare and correct 997 castings, all of the parts on the engine are also correct including the correct hard to find 1957 single quad air cleaner, correct carb, intake exhaust manifolds, oil pan, distributor and all the other parts are all correct. This car still has the Original 1957 only four speed installed, impossible part to find if it were needed, this car has it. The T10 four speed has all the correctly dated 1957 castings with the correct case tail and smooth side cover unique to this model year. The engine runs strong, gets great oil pressure, never overheats, it does not smoke, sputter, knock or do anything it shouldn't. It's actually very dependable, I wouldn't be afraid to drive this anywhere. The transmission shifts through all the gears nicely, clutch works great and feels as new, rear end is quiet. All of the mechanicals are in order on the car. It needs nothing, ready to drive and enjoy.
Body & FrameThis car has never been in any type of accident nor has it been modified at any point ever. It still retains 100% of it's original GM body panels and bonding strips. The car was originally black when new and has had one lacquer repaint. The white paint looks almost as if it was original however it is not. I believe the lower dash, trunk and the rest or the interior to be the original red paint as far as I can tell. All the gaps fit nice everything is as factory standards would be. The frame is in great shape with no rust or pitting anywhere, this car has lived its whole life in Southern California away from the snow and rain. The frame and all of the chassis parts look great as a result of being well cared for and out of the elements its whole life. It still retains its CA black plates which goes to show how long it's been here. This car is one of the very few which have survived all the years and came out without being wrecked and/or taken apart as so many have.
Interior/TopThe soft top frame is original to the car and it has been reupholstered by the late John Kennedy who in Southern California was renowned at one time for doing the absolute best Corvette upholstery work. The top looks great, no tears or problems anywhere it also folds up and down easily. The interior is correct I believe the door panels to be original and the seats and carpet may be but I can't tell to the best of my knowledge. The carpet however is the correct Daytona weave and the seats are of the correct waffle pattern.
Work doneThis car has had the front end fully rebuilt with all new bushings and bearings it has also had a pair of mono leaf rear springs installed which improve the ride, I have the original leaf springs which will also come with the car. This car has also had a brand new gas tank and lines installed as well as a rebuild to the original fuel pump. It has had all of the electrical checked over for safety and has had all of the door inner parts lubricated and checked so they will function as they should. It has had new tie rod ends and third arm steering bearings installed as well as a new set of rebound straps. The sway bar bushings have been replaced also. This car has had a set of four Bilstien shocks installed which greatly improve the ride, I will also include the original shocks that where taken off. Lastly this car has had a double master cylinder installed for safety, it is of a very sleek and unnoticeable design unlike some of the ones on the market today. I will also include to original master cylinder. This car has also had a bunch of small areas of overall maintenance done which I can't remember off the top of my head. It was the goal of the third owner to make this a fully functional and drivable car that he wouldn't have to hesitate in wanting to drive it and we have achieved that goal. I have the receipt for the all of the work done on the car which totals out to about $10k I will include it with the car. The only parts on the car that are not correct are the master cylinder, leaf springs, shocks, voltage regulator, and shifter (it has a 59-62 style shifter on it with reverse lockout for safety). All of these where done purposely for safety and drivability. I will include all of the original parts as well if someone wished to re install them.

Please let me know if you would like any more information or any more photos of the car. I welcome anyone interested to come inspect the car if they wish, or if you prefer feel free to send your trusted Corvette expert. We have a shop and a lift available if you would like to have a look underneath. We restore Early Corvettes for a living and we are very familiar with them. I bought this car for myself, i've had it for a few years now and feel it's time to put it out there for someone else to enjoy. It truly needs nothing but to be driven and enjoyed as it is.