1957 Corvette Fact Sheet

The Corvette Gets
Fuel Injection!

 

The big news was the availability of a 283 horsepower 283 cubic Inch fuel-injected V-8. Second in the news department, but just as significant, was the new 4-speed all synchromesh manual transmission.

 

Return to the Chevrolet Archive

General Year Information

The V-8 had a new displacement – 283 CID. But the big news was the availability of a 283 horsepower 283 cubic Inch fuel-injected V-8. Second in the news department was the availability of the 4-speed all synchromesh manual transmission. Like the “Competition” 240 HP ’56 Corvettes there was a special order package, RPO 579E for the “Fuelie”. Only 43 1957 Corvettes were equipped with that RPO 579E “Cold Air” fuel ­injected engine.

A 283 horsepower fuel injected 1957 Corvette could go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds. From 0 to 100 miles per hour in 16.8 seconds. It had a top speed of 132 miles per hour.

Models Offered

Click the Tab to See the Details

As in 1956, though Corvette marketing still called the car a “Roadster”even though it was now a full convertible. Occupants were sealed from the outside elements by roll up windows and a true fold away convertible top. Of Course, the big news was the new V-8’s 283 CID and the availability of the 283 horsepower fuel-injected V-8. Second in the big news department was the availability of the 4-speed all synchromesh manual transmission.

Among the standard features were dual exhaust, all-vinyl bucket seats, three-spoke competition style steering wheel, carpeting, outside rear view mirror, electric clock and tachometer. The Corvette was now available in seven colors: Onyx Black; Polo White; Aztec Copper; Artie Blue; Cascade Green; Venetian Red or Silver . White, silver, and beige were optional color choices for the cove.

It should be noted that Zora Duntov’s influence was fully felt with the ’57 model. Aggressive power plants, special “Cold Air” Intake, racing suspension and brakes, were all available to Corvette owners by checking the order blank. Engine choices went from three to five – and two “Competition” engines were offered, one with two 4-barrel carburetors and one with Fuel Injection. The Fuel Injection version reached the magical “One HP per Cubic Inch” that all auto manufacturers coveted.

Engines

Click the Tab to See the Details

Base V-8. (Code “EF” & “FH”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 220 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 300 @ 3000 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. Carburetor: Carter four-barrel Model (Early) 2366SA PN 3733246 (Late) 2655S PN 3744925.

Two 4-Barrel V-8. (Code “EH” & “FG”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 245 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 300 @ 3800 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. 4-barrel Carburetors: Front: (Early) Carter WCFB 2419S PN 3730599. Rear: (Early) Carter WCFB 2362S PN 32720953 Front: (Late) Carter WCFB 2626S PN 3744002. Rear (Late) Carter WCFB 2627S PN 3744004.

Fuel Injection V-8. (Code “EM” & “FK”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 305 @ 3800 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 250 degrees, Exhaust: 250 degrees, Lift: 0.3987″. Fuel Injection (Early) Unit Model: 701460 Air Meter: 7014361 Fuel Meter 7014362. (Mid) Unit Model: 701520 Air Meter: 7014521 Fuel Meter 7014522. (Late) Unit Model: 701800 Air Meter: 7014801 Fuel Meter 7014802.

Two 4-Barrel “Competition” V-8. (Code “EG”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.50:1. Horsepower: 270 @ 6000 RPM. Torque: 285 @ 4200 RPM Five main bearings. Solid lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. 4-barrel Carburetors: Front: Carter WCFB 2613S PN 3741089. Rear: Carter WCFB 2613S PN 3741090.

Fuel Injection “Competition” V-8. (Code “EL” & “EN”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.87 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 10.50:1. Horsepower: 283 @ 6200 RPM. Torque: 290 @ 4400 RPM Five main bearings. Solid lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Fuel Injection (Early) Unit Model: 701460 Air Meter: 7014361 Fuel Meter 7014362. (Mid) Unit Model: 701520 Air Meter: 7014521 Fuel Meter 7014522. (Late) Unit Model: 701800 Air Meter: 7014801 Fuel Meter 7014802.

Engine ID Suffixes were as follows:

  • “EF” – four-barrel with synchromesh
  • “EG” – dual four-barrel high-lift solid lifter camshaft and synchromesh
  • “EH” – dual four-barrel with synchromesh
  • “EL”  – “fuel-injection with high-lift solid lifter camshaft
  • “EN” – fuel-injection with high-lift solid lifter camshaft and Cold Air Package
  • “FG” – Powerglide with dual four-barrel carburetors
  • “FH” – Powerglide 4-barrel and
  • “FK” – Powerglide with fuel-injection.

Chassis Features

    • Wheelbase: 102.00″
    • Overall length: 168.00″
    • Front tread: 57.00″
    • Rear tread: 59.00″
    • Tires: 6.70 x 15

1957 Corvette Production Figures

    •  Corvette Series Number: VE-2934-8
    • Corvette Body Number: 2934
    • Body Style: 2-Door Convertible – 2 Passenger
    • Factory Base Price: $3,465.00
    • Shipping Weight : 2,730 lbs.
    • Total Production: 6,339

Body Paint Color Codes

Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:

1957 Corvette

  Aztec Copper
  Inca Silver
  Onyx Black
  712 Cascade Green
  713 Arctic Blue
  714 Venetian Red
  718 Polo White

1957 Chevrolet
Corvette –
Current Market
Values

 

Significant Options

    • Power top ($100).
    • Power windows ($60).
    • Windshield washer ($11).
    • Detachable hardtop ($200).
    • Signal seeking AM radio ($185).
    • Heater ($115)

Power Train Options

    • Three-speed manual floor shift transmission was standard.
    • Automatic transmission ($175.00).
    • Four Speed manual floor shift transmission ($188.00).
    • V-8 283 cubic inch 245 horsepower dual four-barrel carburetor engine ($140.00).
    • V-8 283 cubic inch 270 horsepower dual four-barrel carburetor engine with “Competition” camshaft ($170.00).
    • V-8 283 cubic inch 250 horsepower fuel-injection engine ($450.00)
    • V-8 283 cubic inch 283 horsepower fuel-injection engine with “Competition” camshaft ($450.00).
    • RPO 579E “Cold Air “V-8 283 cubic inch 283 horsepower fuel-injection engine with “Competition” camshaft ($675.00).
    • Positive traction rear axle ($45.00).
    • Heavy-duty racing suspension ($725.00).
    • Available rear axle gear ratios 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.

TRANSMISSION:

  • Three-Speed Manual Transmission Standard. First: 2.2:1, Second: 1.32:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 2.2:1
  • Four-Speed Manual Transmission – Optional. First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.66:1, Third 1.31:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.25:1
  • Two-Speed Powerglide Transmission – Optional. Low: 3.82:1-1.82:1, Direct 1.82:1- 1:1. Reverse: 1.82:1.

REAR AXLE:

  • Manual Transmission. 3.70:1 (10-37)
  • Powerglide Transmission: 3.55:1 (11-39)

Related Document
Downloads

Files directly related to the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette will appear below. Click to Download:

1957 Corvette Prestige Brochure

1957 Corvette 8.5 x 11.0 Print Advertisements

1957 Corvette AMA Specifications Sheets

1957 Corvette Road Test – Sports Cars Illustrated Magazine

1957 Corvette Road Test – Road & Track Magazine

1957 Corvette Racer Test – Sports Cars Illustrated Magazine

 

Related Images

Related Images to the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Line will appear below

1957 Corvette

The 1957 Corvette was unchanged visually, however the V8 was increased to 283 CID. Fuel-injection, offered for the first time, was a very expensive option, and a 4-speed manual transmission became available after April 9, 1957. Fuel-injected models were in short supply, yet 1,040 were sold.

1956 vs 1957 Corvete Emblem placement

The only visible change to the trim versus 1956 and 1957 was the placement of the Corvette’s “crossed flags” from the model’s logo in the cove (left). The famous “Fuel Injection” logo would appear alongside if so equipped. The crossed flags would denote Chevrolet performance engines in all Chevrolet models going forward.

1957 Air Box V-8

The RPO 579E “Cold Air “V-8 option added fresh outside air (ribbed hose above) to the fuel mixture, increasing power, While rated at the same 283 HP as the standard “competition” Fuelie, most said the HP was about 290 or more. The large hose at the top of the image brings cold air to the rear brakes.

1957 Fuelie V8 Cutaway Side 3qtr 1XA

The “Competition” version of the 1957 Corvette Fuel Injected V-8 made the magical one horsepower per cubic inch – 283 HP! The engine was made available in full-size Chevrolets as well

1957 Fuelie V8 Cutaway Front View

Note there was both ram tuning and “straight shot” path to the intake valves designed into the fuel Injection manifold. These features, in addition to the port-based fuel delivery, built HP at medium to high RPM – 283 @ 6200 RPM in the competition version.

1957 Corvette Interior

The Corvette interior was unchanged from 1956. However, one could add a 4-speed transmission and “H” patterned shifter to the floor shift.

%d bloggers like this: