1957 Corvette Specifications: A Brief Overview of Its Options, Production Numbers, Costs, etc.
A car’s specifications can be a great way to learn about its history. The 1957 Chevrolet Corvette is no exception. As we look at the 1957 Corvette Specifications, we learn that this is the year that Fuel injection and 4-speed manual transmission were first introduced to Corvette. This information might not seem important at first glance, but when you know what options were available for this model, you will get a better idea about what made it so special. The production numbers for this model are also important because they tell us how many of these cars have been built over the years.
As we look at the 1957 Corvette specifications, we remember that Corvette was now in its 5th year of first-generation Corvette’s production and has come a long way.
Only a few years earlier, it was threatened with extinction. The 1956 Corvette sports car saw immense structural, physical, and mechanical facelifts, which were carried over into 1957.
The base Corvette sold for $3,176, which was only $56 more than the previous year. But to put this into perspective, the average yearly income was $4,494, and the average car at that time sold for $2,749.
The big news for 57 was the fuel-injected engines and the 4-speed manual transmission in the first year in the Corvette.
Weight, Length, and Wheel Base of the 57 Vette
- Curb Weight: 2849 lbs.
- Vehicle Length: 168 in.
- Wheel Base: 102 in.
Optional Equipment
- 4-Speed Manual Transmission (You could get the 4-speed manual transmission option after April 9, 1957)
- AM
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Hard Top
- Heater
- Power Top
- Power Windows
- Seat Belts
- White Sidewall Tires
C1 1957 Corvette Specifications: RPO#, Description, Quantity and Cost
| RPO# | DESCRIPTION | QUANTITY | COST ($) |
| 2934 | Base Corvette Convertible | 6,339 | 3,176.32 |
| 101 | Heater | 5,373 | 118.40 |
| 102 | AM Radio, Signal Seeking | 3,365 | 199.10 |
| 107 | Parking Brake Alarm | 1,873 | 5.40 |
| 108 | Courtesy Lights | 2,489 | 8.65 |
| 109 | Windshield Washers | 2,555 | 11.85 |
| 276 | Wheels, 15×5.5 | 51 | 15.10 |
| 290 | 6.70×15 Whitewall Tires | 5,019 | 31.60 |
| 303 | 3-Speed Manual Transmission, Close Ratio | 2,886 | 0.00 |
| 313 | Powerglide Automatic Transmission | 1,393 | 188.30 |
| 419 | Auxillary Hardtop | 4,055 | 215.20 |
| 426 | Power Windows | 379 | 59.20 |
| 440 | Two-Tone Exterior Paint | 2,797 | 19.40 |
| 469A | 283ci, 245hp Engine (2×4 carburetor) | 2,045 | 150.65 |
| 469C | 283ci, 270hp Engine (2×4 carburetor) | 1,621 | 182.95 |
| 473 | Power Operated Folding Top | 1,336 | 139.90 |
| 579A | 283ci, 250hp Engine (fuel injection) | 182 | 484.20 |
| 579B | 283ci, 283hp Engine (fuel injection) | 713 | 484.20 |
| 579C | 283ci, 250hp Engine (fuel injection) | 102 | 484.20 |
| 579E | 283ci, 283hp Engine (fuel injection) | 43 | 726.30 |
| 677 | Positraction Rear Axle, 3.70:1 | 327 | 48.45 |
| 678 | Positraction Rear Axle, 4.11:1 | 1,772 | 48.45 |
| 679 | Positraction Rear Axle, 4.56:1 | n/a | 48.45 |
| 684 | Heavy Duty Racing Suspension | 51 | 780.10 |
| 685 | 4-Speed Manual Transmission | 664 | 188.30 |
1957 Corvette Exterior Color Options
In studying the 1957 Corvette Specifications, we learn that the interior and exterior colors were not coded to individual cars.
The colors that were offered were Onyx Black (the number one choice), Polo White, Venetian Red, Arctic Blue, Aztec Copper, Cascade Green, and Inca Silver. The six choices could also be paired with the two-tone paint option (#440 with a cost of $19.40 – 2,794 chose this). There was only one new color for 1957, the Inca Silver.
CODE EXTERIOR QUANTITY – Onyx Black 2,189 – Polo White 1,273 – Venetian Red 1,320 – Arctic Blue 487 – Aztec Copper 452 – Cascade Green 550 – Inca Silver 65
1957 Corvette Interior Color Choices
| CODE | COLOR |
| – | Beige Vinyl (1,315 Built) |
| – | Red Vinyl (5,021 Built) |
Here is a short video of when General Motors unveiled the ’57 Corvette Super Sport at the 72nd New York Auto Show.
Here are some other articles you might enjoy:
C1 CORVETTE – THE HISTORY OF BODY KITS & DRESS-UP PARTS
CORVETTE NEWS MAGAZINE HISTORY – FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1957
1957 SCCA CORVETTE FI HISTORIC RACECAR
1957 CORVETTE SUPER SPORT – THE FORGOTTEN SHOW CAR – FLIPBOOK
How The C1 Corvette Was Made: See The Car’s Evolution
1957 Corvette Super Sport – The Forgotten Show Car
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