Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

[David C.]

Hello All,

I recently joined this forum in hopes on discovery the full history of a 1957 FI Corvette that was recently purchased on the east coast. The car had been in a garage since 1969. I have tons of information on the car but will start with the basics. We were able to speak with the owner of the car from 1966-1969. Here is what he remembers about when he purchased the car in 1969:

Howard S Coley Jr Howard is very friendly and has a good memory of the 57 Corvette.

Howard Is sure that he sold the car in 1969 because that is when he moved to California from the Arlington VA area. Howard has been in computers all his life. Howard believes that the car was raced in 1959 by Don Yenko although he has no direct proof.He said at one time he was shown a photo of Don Yenko with the car. The car had 59 Corvette suspension and a 65 Corvette fuel injected drive train with a 62 Corvette fuel unit. The transmission was a close ratio(I assume an M20) with 4.56 gears. The car had a welded tow bar and every other grill tooth was removed.

In addition, we know that the car was original white, then painted red, then daytona blue, and then finally black.

As I said, I have tons of information on the car and tons. So if you are looking for anything specific or want to see a picture of anything please let me know.

[David C.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

Here is a picture of the engine as well as a mystery extra foot pedal on the floor.

[David C.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

Correction, should read: Here is what he remembers about when he purchased the car in 1965:

[David C.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

There was also at one time a roll bar support that went from the regular bar down to the passenger side of the transmission tunnel. Here are pictures of where it connected.

[Ed S.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

David, you said, "I have tons of information on the car". That's great! Suggest you start writing an article for the Restorer now. You need to share the info on this very interesting car with the entire NCRS community.

[Chris S.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

the extra "pedal" appears to be a window washer foot pump.

[David C.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

I have heard from others that this particular pedal does not match the factory window washer pedal that was available on early 57's.

[David C.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

Here is some more data

VIN: #1455 built around Dec. 20, 1956.

The car is an original early 7014360 fuel injection Corvette [ still has round throttle rod and 889 distributor.] and was a 3 speed new. Now with added 1959 RPO 684 suspension and brakes [ small screen backing plates per photos]. Original RPO 276 wheels

Car had a 1959 engine and Model 4300 FI unit Serial 1632 installed years ago.

That engine was replaced with a new 3782870 short block Chevrolet 375hp with 30-30 solid lifter cam. The former original 1959 # 3755550 heads received 2.02 valves. 9 fin original valve covers are still being used.

The original 1957 vintage 1110891 fuel injection distributor has 1962 parts installed.

[Edward B.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

Why the display of quarters in the third picture? Are there any markings on the "knock-off" hubcaps that might point to their manufacturer?

[David C.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

The quarters are there to show the location of the holes where a racing windshield was mounted at one time. The factory windshield was removed and a race window was installed in front of the drivers seat. You can see where the holes were filled in on the dash also in the earlier picture.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

The early 1957 washer pump had a hanging pedal not a boot on the floor over "something".

So, what is under the boot?

[David C.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

Here is a better picture of the pedal and one picture of the pedal taken apart. On the top of the rubber it says "Anco Surge Meter, Patent Pending, Trade Marks"

[Dan A.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

A neat old find for sure. Congratulations.

Your first post above describes the fuel injection unit as a '62 unit. Based on the photo in a later post I think you will find that it is earlier than that. Could you post the numbers on the tag on the left forward side of the plenum?

You state that the "driveline" is '65 FI. Could also you also post a clear picture of the stampings on the engine stamp pad?

[Bruce B.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

Based on the "ribbed" top of the plenum the fuel injection could be from 57 to 60ish.

[Darryl D.]

Re: Pittsburgh area 57 Corvette race car discovered

Based on the "ribbed" top of the plenum the fuel injection could be from 57 to 60ish.

Yes, I had a very early V.I.N. 57 that at the time I owned it according to Mike Hunt was the earliest known non-prodotype car built with FI and it was said to have had a flat top unit originally. The car was a factory sponsored "air box" car with race history back to Nassau.