1957 Super Sport Motorama Corvette

[Dale S.]

Does anyone have any of the engine block serial numbers, casting number and dates etc. Plus the cylinder casting numbers, dates, etc. The generator and distribuor numbers, dates etc. Stamp pad serial number for this one of a kind Corvette. Thank you Dale

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Super Sport Motorama Corvette

Dale, Being a styling car built in Dec of '56 for the January '57 show circuit it must have been a 548 block. Not sure if any of the other numbers were ever recorded.

BTW, technically, there was no actual Motorama show in 1957. The show was a GM show at the NYC Waldorf Astoria.

http://corvette-concepts.tripod.com/id32.html

Rich

[John H.]

Re: 1957 Super Sport Motorama Corvette

Dale -

As I understand it, the car has been under restoration for some time, but I don't know who's doing it.

[Alexander C.]

Re: 1957 Super Sport Motorama Corvette

The pictures I saw of the damage from the wreck that were pretty bad. Entire front left was messed up real bad, damage went all the way to the engine block if I remember right, or farther. It's tough to say what had to be replaced and what was repaired, of course dependent on the owners finances.

[Loren L.]

Re: 1957 Super Sport Motorama Corvette

Old information is that the car is part of a lawsuit that I believe is ongoing.
The reality is that it was a 1956 that was on display in the General
Motors building - #1589.
SCCA National Convention was in Detroit in January 1957 and it took quick action to make the mods necessary for an appearance at the convention. Its VIN was changed to "E57S"; the next digit in normal 57s
was a "1", but on this car it is a "0", thus avoiding a duplication with the actual 57 #1589.
There is apparently some question as to whether or not the car actually had fuel injection and a 4 speed....the shifter had the 4 spd diagram and it had FI emblems but no one has ever seen a picture with the hood open. Those who saw the car wrecked in New Mexico seem to
agree that it did not have FI then.....

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Super Sport Motorama Corvette

Here is a picture from a article in the Albuquerque newspaper back in 1958(?). It's when Larry Pool, son of the dealer that bought it, drove it back from Detroit after purchase. Article said it had fuel injection. The photo is not clear, but it sure looks like a fuelie. Story goes that Larry wore a helmet because it was a long ride, bad weather, and lots of bugs. You can see the helmet on the seat.

Rich

[Loren L.]

Re: 1957 Super Sport Motorama Corvette

1st time I've seen an open hood shot.....and I must admit, I still don't know what is shown........

[Richard M.]

Re: 1957 Super Sport Motorama Corvette

Loren, Yes this is the only early photograph of the Super Sport with the hood open. I think there are only 6 or 8 total photos of the car in all of history.......before the accident that is. I have seen photos of it after the accident in New Mexico, and definitely not a pretty sight. I have recently seen the car, fully restored, up close and personal, and it is breathtakingly beautiful.

So the article says 283 hp and FI, so it was likely that. The photo is bad but it doesn't look like it had air cleaner(s) on carbs. I can somewhat make out that there's a fuelie air cleaner and what appears to be a doghouse.

edit......almost forgot this tidbit of info. Allegedly, the guy who bought the wrecked Super Sport back in NM, took the FI unit off the car and stored it in his shed. He said someone stole it. He also said it was chrome plated.

Rich