CHEVY CORVETTE C1: 1956-62 ROADSTER

If Marcello Gandini (Lamborghini) and Battista “Pinin” Farina (Pininfarina/Ferrari) were the finest auto designers in Italy, then Harley Earl was their Detroit-based counterpart, and this fiberglass-bodied ’57 Corvette “Fuelie” is one of his greatest and most enduring masterworks.

For the 1956 model year, Earl created a new design for Corvette that was a considerable departure from earlier models. Along with a sportier identity, these models also offered new options that ensured that ’56 and ’57 Corvettes models would forever be among the general public’s favorite domestic sportscars.

Known among die-hard enthusiasts as one of the most desirable ‘Vettes for collecting, the ’57 “Fuelie” takes its nickname from the optional fuel-injection system available on its 283ci powerplant. That combination allowed for 283 hp, or one hp per cubic inch, which was a first for a mass-produced domestic, and more than adequate to power the ’57 to impressive 0-60 and top speeds for the time.

The ’57 also offered two carburetor configurations to choose from, adding further options for customers while creating plenty of opportunities for today’s investors.

The package of fuel-injected V8 in a black body with silver door coves and the catchy red interior (see page xx of this issue) is among the most desirable combinations of features, and can demand a pretty penny at auction.