Description
The year 1954 saw a significant increase in Corvette production, with some 3, 640 cars produced. General Motors also extends the Corvette’s color range (Sportsman Red, Black and Pennant Blue) and increases engine power to 155 hp.
In 1955, the Corvette received perhaps the most important update in its history, an improvement that would serve as a model for all future Corvettes. It was in this year that GM placed a 4. 3-liter Chevrolet small-block V8 under the hood of the Corvette, significantly increasing the power of the six-cylinder engine to 195 hp. GM equips the Corvette with a three-speed manual gearbox, the first time the car has been fitted with a gearbox other than an automatic. These improvements were well received and helped reinforce the Corvette’s reputation as a sports car. Chevrolet built 700 Corvettes for the 1955 model year.
Further improvements in 1956 included a removable hardtop, exposed headlights, redesigned bodywork now featuring the famous “coves” or sculpted side scoops, and manual rolling windows. Power is again increased – the small-block V8 now reaches 240 hp – and the in-line six-cylinder engine from the Corvette’s first year of production is completely eliminated. Duntov, who has consistently pressured GM to improve the Corvette’s performance, tried to convince GM to officially launch a racing program with the car, but to no avail. He’ll have to wait a little longer for that to happen.
1957: New technologies
1957 Corvettes benefit from even more advanced technology, including optional fuel injection and a limited-slip differential. At the time, any Corvette equipped with a fuel injection system was nicknamed a “fuelie”. The car’s V8 engine is increased to 4. 5 liters and develops around 290 hp, bringing the car’s top speed to 132 mph. A new four-speed manual gearbox was also introduced in 1957.
Another notable achievement of this year’s Corvette is that it became one of the very first mass-produced engines to achieve one horsepower per cubic inch, which Chevrolet capitalized on with its “One HP per cubic inch” marketing slogan. Vette ’57s could also be fitted with reinforced racing suspension and other high-end racing-derived components. Chevrolet also offered a tachometer that could be mounted on the steering column on models equipped with the “fuelie” option. This was also the last year GM used “Polo White” on the Vette.
The model presented here is in very good condition, imported from the USA and restored a few years ago.
Recent work :
Carburetor overhaul
Maintenance with ignition adjustment
