Special 57

[Joseph T.]

This 57 wears a complete set of original knockoff halibrands. The owner purchased these halibrands from the editor of Corvette News 50 years ago.

Keep looking..still lots of great stuff out there!

Joe

[Bruce B.]

Re: Special 57

Joe,
I saw a set of 5 original Corvette Halibrand wheels with axles and spindles sell at one McDorman auction last year for around $27,000 which I thought was a good deal but to rich for me as I do not need them. Currently advertised at around $85,000.
There was also a set (4 or 5 ??) with hardware for sale in the Driveline recently for around $50,000 ???
The recent Bill King auction in Trenton ,Ohio had some interesting parts. A nice 908 distributor, and a 56-57 NOS heavy duty brake drum along with lots of other neat stuff.

[Steven B.]

Re: Special 57

Thanks Joe! Bruce, ebay currently has a set with axles for $55,000. They would look good on an Almond '62 with Hilborns.

Steve

[Joseph T.]

Re: Special 57

Thanks Joe! Bruce, ebay currently has a set with axles for $55,000. They would look good on an Almond '62 with Hilborns.

Steve

The story as told to me by the owner of the car:

These wheels were on Joe Pikes car! ( editor of Corvette News ) ( a 1960 I think ). Since the Halibrand wheels were not available by GM Joe Pike was instructed by the brass to remove them from his car as not to promote what was not available from GM.

Joe Pike removed them from his Corvette and after having the Halibrand wheels, axles, spinners etc..taking up space in his garage..the total package was sold to the current owner 50 years ago.

There is a complete set of 5 and the car itself is pretty neat with a special SR2 type gauge cluster.

The owner was a member of the first Corvette Club in Detroit back in the early days.

Joe

[George C.]

Re: Special 57

Nice to have that Special piece of Corvette History. The Corvette looks really cool. Lucky to own it. Save the Wave.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Special 57

Thanks Joe! Bruce, ebay currently has a set with axles for $55,000. They would look good on an Almond '62 with Hilborns.

Steve

Steve,
How about a set of Halibrands (original kidney beans of course) on my 57 and then I could put the Hilborn on the 57, I have an extra 57 hood with a hole in it already.
My wife would shoot me or possibly do something worse. She understands the value of old Corvettes and was ready to do bad things when I started on the 62. But we agreed, no holes or modifications to teh car, PERIOD.
It was quite a challenge but I did not put any holes in the car. Even with the tach on the upper windshield molding, no holes were drilled.
Lots of fun. I am now building (planning stages) a 11 to 1 327 for the Almond 62.
Bruce B

[George J.]

Re: Special 57

The story as told to me by the owner of the car:

These wheels were on Joe Pikes car! ( editor of Corvette News ) ( a 1960 I think ). Since the Halibrand wheels were not available by GM Joe Pike was instructed by the brass to remove them from his car as not to promote what was not available from GM.

Joe Pike removed them from his Corvette and after having the Halibrand wheels, axles, spinners etc..taking up space in his garage..the total package was sold to the current owner 50 years ago.

There is a complete set of 5 and the car itself is pretty neat with a special SR2 type gauge cluster.

The owner was a member of the first Corvette Club in Detroit back in the early days.

Joe

Joe,
a few questions:
Can you find out what years the owner was a member of the Detroit Club? I am looking for information on my '65. If he was still a member, then, I'd like to speak with him.
Two, is he an NCRS member? If not please encourage him to join.
Three, please post some more pictures of that car. It would interest us all.
Thanks.

George

[Steven B.]

Re: Special 57

Steve,
How about a set of Halibrands (original kidney beans of course) on my 57 and then I could put the Hilborn on the 57, I have an extra 57 hood with a hole in it already. YES!!!! And put an AC 8000 RPM tach in it ,too! My wife would shoot me or possibly do something worse. She understands the value of old Corvettes and was ready to do bad things when I started on the 62. But we agreed, no holes or modifications to teh car, PERIOD.
It was quite a challenge but I did not put any holes in the car. Even with the tach on the upper windshield molding, no holes were drilled.
Lots of fun. I am now building (planning stages) a 11 to 1 327 for the Almond 62.
Bruce B

Bruce, I may be that way before Christmas. If I am I would like to see the collection!

Steve

[Steven B.]

Re: Special 57

The story as told to me by the owner of the car:

These wheels were on Joe Pikes car! ( editor of Corvette News ) ( a 1960 I think ). Since the Halibrand wheels were not available by GM Joe Pike was instructed by the brass to remove them from his car as not to promote what was not available from GM.

Joe Pike removed them from his Corvette and after having the Halibrand wheels, axles, spinners etc..taking up space in his garage..the total package was sold to the current owner 50 years ago.

There is a complete set of 5 and the car itself is pretty neat with a special SR2 type gauge cluster.

The owner was a member of the first Corvette Club in Detroit back in the early days.

Joe

Interesting story, Joe. Was the club the Michigan Corvette Club, the one in the first issue of Corvette News?

Steve

[Bruce B.]

Re: Special 57

Steve,
Check your email.
Bruce

[Joseph T.]

Re: Special 57

Interesting story, Joe. Was the club the Michigan Corvette Club, the one in the first issue of Corvette News?

Steve

Owner said 1st corvette club. However I think that honor goes to the corvette club in DC.

He did say Detroit. He worked for a steel company there and later owned his own steel company.

[Calvin M.]

Re: Special 57

That's correct - the first Corvette club was the Corvette Club of America.

http://www.corvetteclubofamerica.org/

Cal

[Joseph T.]

Re: Special 57

Original Firestone Super Sport mounted on original Halibrand

[John N.]

Re: Special 57

Owner said 1st corvette club. However I think that honor goes to the corvette club in DC.

He did say Detroit. He worked for a steel company there and later owned his own steel company.

They met at Rosenthal Chevrolet. Bob Rosenthal, Bark Henry, Dick Thompson and Fred Windridge were charter members. Bob wrote the bylaws. They were the host chapter in the formation of NCCC at the Mayflower in DC. Great car!!! Also Happy Birthday.
Regards

[Rick G.]

Re: Special 57

Joe,

How about some more photos of this neat car and more on it's history? Thanks in advance.

Rick Gower