C1 56 & 57

 1956–1957

In 1955, the first V8 was offered in the Corvette. In 1956, it was slightly restyled and in 1957, a fuel injected engine was added. The Vette finally had the performance to match the looks.

There was no doubt Chevrolet was in the sports car business with the release of the 1956 model. It featured a new body, a much better convertible top with power assist optional, real glass roll up windows (also with optional power assist), and an optional hardtop. The 3-speed manual transmission was standard. The Powerglide automatic was optional. The six-cylinder engine was gone. The V8 remained at 265 cubic inches but power ranged from 210 hp to 240 hp. The volume was 3,167, a low number by any contemporary standard and still less than 1954's 3,640, meaning this was the third lowest-volume model in Corvette history.  Rare options: RPO 449 special camshaft with the 240 hp engine (111), power windows (547).
Visually the 1957 model was a near-twin to 1956. Engine displacement increased to 283 cu in (4.6 L), fuel injection became optional, and a 4-speed manual transmission was available after April 9, 1957.  Fuel injection first saw regular use on a gasoline engine two years prior on the Mercedes-Benz 300SL "gullwing" roadster. Although the Corvette's GM-Rochester injection used a constant flow system, as opposed to the diesel style nozzle metering system of the Mercedes', the Corvette's engine nevertheless produced about 290 hp (216 kW) (gross). This was underrated by Chevrolet's advertising agency for the 283 hp (211 kW) 283 small-block V8 one hp per in³ slogan, making it one of the first mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 hp/in³. Pushed toward high-performance and racing, principally by Zora Arkus-Duntov who had raced in Europe, 1957 Corvettes could be ordered ready-to-race with special options. Fuel injection was in short supply and 1,040 Corvettes with this option were sold. Rare options: RPO 579E 283 hp (211 kW) engine (1 hp per cubic inch!) with fresh air/tach package (43), RPO 684 heavy-duty racing suspension (51), 15" x 5.5" wheels (51), power windows (379), 4-speed transmission (664).

The 1956 Corvette not only Looked Better, it Worked Better too

The 1956 Corvette would represent the first time that the Corvette line received sweeping changes. Though these changes may not have been ground-breaking they were certainly evolutionary and helped to begin to shape the legend of the Corvette.

For the first time in the Corvette’s history, the 1956 Corvette was not offered with a six cylinder engine. However the V-8s for the 1956 model did pump out even more horsepower that the 1955 Corvette and saw an output of either 210 or 225 horsepower for more added speed. While there was little doubt that the power under the hood was a marked improvement yet again, there were absolutely no doubts that the outside of the 1956 Corvette was improved upon and improved upon big time. Some of the many changes to the outside of the 1956 Corvette included:

• Changed Face: While the earlier year Vettes had eyes that seemed to be almost veiled this was not really considered appropriate for a ‘man’s’ car. Therefore the 1956 Corvette saw its headlights moved up and out of their recesses and they were no longer to be covered. To compliment this new look the front end of the 1956 Corvette got a bigger emblem with the crossed flags that are still hanging out to this day.
• Changed Rear: For the 1956 Corvette Chevy decided to do away with the fin type fenders and gave the car a more French curved contour and this was complimented with the new taillights that were ‘frenched’ on each fender just above the bumperette. The license plate was moved from its previous location to just below the trunk opening and the old shadowbox was done away with. This resulted in a smoother and more curved tail that saw the fenders sticking out ever so slightly.
• Body Siding: The 1956 Corvette brought the birth of what would be known as the ‘bodyside coves.’ This gave the Vette a distinct look and did away with the ‘bathtub’ look of the previous years.
• New Top: Taken directly from the prototype that was displayed at the Motorama in New York just few years prior in early 1953, the 1956 Corvette not only came with a rag top but it could also be purchased with a removable hard top as well.

 

The 1956 Corvette was a success in many ways. While it definitely looked better than its predecessor it also worked better as well. It was a much more functional version of the Corvette and saw away with such nuisances as the side curtains and made way for actual roll up windows that could even be powered at an additional cost. Also added were outside handles which was one of the chief complaints of the previous versions as they were lacking them.
It seemed that finally the engineers at Chevy got what they wanted with the 1956 Corvette and the public agreed. The sales for the 1956 jumped up to an amazing 3,467 which crushed the 1955 Corvette’s dismal numbers. The new look of the Corvette was here and as time went on, it would only get better.

The 1957 Corvette Continued to Improve in Both Speed and Handling Departments

The 1957 Corvette saw little changes to the outside and really it didn’t need any changes as the 1956 improvements were working just fine. What did change for the super car in 1957 however was yet again more speed and better handling. The biggest gain however came with the introduction of a new technology called fuel injection.

The 283 V-8 that Chevy was using at the time was fast becoming a very revered engine and while many of GM’s competitors were fast making new and improved engines, the Chevy boys just kept figuring out new ways to pump more ponies out of what they had. This came by the way of what was to be known as fuel injection.

Back in the 50s there was little known or done with the technology of fuel injection, but as other name plates began to use the technology Chevy was forced to throw together a team of engineers to work on the new project. The results were trying at times but when Chevy got it right, they got it right in a big way.

The 1957 Corvette already had improved upon its horsepower output with a four barrel carburetor helping the 283 belch out 220 horsepower and this was improved upon even more with twin four barrel carburetors that saw the car get between 245 to 270 horsepower. But the biggest development for the year was that of the ‘Ramjet’ fuel injection system which gave the 283 cubic inch engine 283 horsepower. This ‘fuelie’ helped Chevy hit the coveted mark of one horsepower per cubic inch and they did not miss the opportunity to let everyone know about their achievement.
Also new to the 1967 Corvette was the new four-speed transmission which had been sought by enthusiasts since the car had first been brought to production. This new transmission was basically just the typical three-speed of the past with the reverse gear being moved to the tail shaft housing thus allowing the fourth forward gear to be added. This was complimented by Chevy’s optional Positraction which helped drivers get the most out of their engines and gearboxes.

To combat the complaints of the poor handling and break deficiencies of the past models, Chevy answered the call by offering the RPO 684 package. This package included a heavy duty racing suspension, Positraction, a thicker anti-sway bar, a faster steering ratio, and ceramic-metallic brake linings that featured finned ventilated brake drums. Add this package to the Ramjet 283 fuelie and you had a car that was darn near ready to be driven off of the showroom floor and right on to the racetrack.
Finally it all seemed to be coming together at a rather rapid pace for Chevy. The 1957 Corvette proved that the car maker could not only be tops at the sports car game but also let the car maker flex its muscles just a bit in the technology game as well. Sales for the 1957 Corvette stayed steady and the car gained much acclaim from the critics and the enthusiast that seemed to be multiplying by the year.