1957 restoration

[Garry Barnes]

I have agreed to help a friend with a barn fresh "project '57" that once finished will be a very interesting car. There will be many requests for information and NOS parts from this board in the future, but for now I have a few key questions. This is a very early #903 November 20, 1956 car so there may be several overlaps and contiuations on some parts from 1956 model. It is also as we understand it "possibly" the earliest reported 270hp found to exist. Can someone shed any light on this? So that I am not seeing "what I want to see" if you know what I mean, here are the numbers: VIN #0903 (November 20, 1956 according to Birthday book) casting date J316 (October 31, 1956 halloween), block casting 3731548 stamp/broach looks correct and original FII09EG (Flint, November 9th, 270hp) To me, it all lines up correctly, but It is like looking at a lottery ticket that might be one number off. What do you guys think? TIA.
Garry #18531

[John P.]

Re: 1957 restoration

Gary, It sounds like you will be working on a great car. We will look forward to seeing it! I do not definitively know the answer to your question about the first 270hp '57 but I can give you a little information. Vin#903 is the first EG motor in Nolan Adams short list. Mke Hunt of Madison Wisconsin did some research and a survey of '57 Corvetes starting in 1982 which also includes Vin #903 which indicates that Vin #569 and 762 reported EG stamped blocks. I have looked at a lot of '57's and have started to keep some data on them in the last few years. Of the ones I have written down I do not have record of seeing the cars I mentioned previously or any other '57 earlier than yours with an EG stamped block. Some of the real long time experts such as #14 might be able to shed more light on this. Have fun with the restoration.

[John P.]

Re: 1957 restoration

The above post should read Mike Hunt and the car word should obviously be Corvette, posted in haste sorry!

[Roy B.]

Re: 1957 restoration

Don't be hard on your seft! I have trouble with Corvette and Corvair

[Rob M.]

Re: 1957 restoration

Garry,

There is a '57 number 31 in the C1 Registry which might be able to help you out with some early '57 questions... The telephone nr. of the current seller is mentioned.

greetings and a lot of fun with the resto job,
Rob.




The Corvette C1 Registry

[Garry Barnes]

Re: 1957 restoration

John, I hadn't thought of looking at the short list to see if this one was listed, just figured what would be the odds. What a find, thank you. It definitely puts the bow on whether to move forward and more importantly, at what level of restoration to take on. I will have a lot more questions in the days and week ahead. Thanks.