Though the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette was a stylistic carryover from the 1956 model year, it had a host of new performance options. The first year of the potent 283 cubic-inch V8 could be had with a four-speed manual transmission, a dual four-barrel carb set-up, or the hot new Rochester fuel-injection system that could produce 283 ponies, for the magical one-horsepower-per-cubic-inch. In its day, it was a performance icon.
Compared to modern cars, first-generation, AKA “Solid Axle,” Corvettes do not ride well. Equipped with four-wheel drum brakes, they do not stop well. Despite the available performance upgrades, most of them were not particularly fast, at least compared to today’s standards. Poor ride, crummy brakes, and lukewarm performance are all reasons to convert a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette into a restomod.
Fresh modern power, brakes, suspension, and a luxurious new interior would breathe new life into a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette. Transforming classic iron into a modern car with vintage bodywork is quite popular right now, but it is costly. It is much akin to buying an exotic car, price-wise. In the appearance department, a classic Corvette will make an exotic car owner hate life.
This 1957 Chevrolet Corvette restomod from RK Motors Charlotte is resplendent in Organic Orange (not far from 1957 Corvette Venetian Red, which was kind of a tomato soup color) with Wimbledon White coves, and this Solid Axle has been given the full restomod treatment by way of a claimed 3,000-hour rotisserie build (that’s a year and a half of 40-hour weeks).
The bodywork has been widened to accommodate larger 17- and 18-inch staggered Budnik Muroc III wheels shod in sticky performance rubber. It has a modern 6.0L LS2 topped by a Magnuson Supercharger, cranking out “565 dyno-proven horsepower”, all assembled by the legendary Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.
That potent mill is backed by a beefed-up Tremec T56 six-speed transmission. A Dana 44 third member and Eaton Truetrac diff get the power to the wheels. Handling duties are courtesy of fourth-generation Corvette suspension hung from a Newman-modified original X-frame. Of course, every square inch has been polished and buffed to perfection.
The spartan original interior has been replaced by custom orange and ivory leather, plush carpet, and a modern stereo. It has modern climate control with A/C. It comes with both the hard and soft tops.
Here is the rub: the seller wants $349,900 for the Little Orange Corvette. Sweet Jesus Palomino. Most of the Restomod Corvettes one sees for sale are somewhere in the $150k-$250k price range. In many parts of the country, $350,000 is house money. In certain parts of the country, that is NICE house money. Despite the fantastic work quality and execution, $350k seems like a ton of jack for a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette, no matter how slick it is.
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Comments
wow, it’s beautiful man, it’s beautiful.
Beautiful for sure! Not for 350K…
There were only 6339 Corvettes built in 1957, and anyone who reveres Corvette heritage isn’t going to care for what has been done to this one.
smh……………………..
Fully agree. Have some respect for history. Drivability can be improved with bolt-ons. Not to the level of these customs but certainly improved. You’re never going to obtain the comfort of a new vehicle anyway. Always going to have wind noise from antiquated aerodynamics and you can only improve ergonomics so much. A lot of it is seating position. I remember back in the ’60s a friend’s dad sat in my brother’s Corvette and remarked “like sitting on a toboggan.” I’ve owned 15 Corvettes over the years including three C1’s. These cars are worth preserving.
it was done for one reason and one reason only to pray in the rarity and make the most money possible. there is nothing done in this that hasn’t been done to any car at this point. and the wheels look aweful.
a wise man once told me that u cant drive ur house but u can sleep in ur car
Nice Corvette but way too much asking price.
I owned one of these. Forget restoration and buy something new. Today is the day of real factory hotrods, not the past.
Very nice, way out of my price range, reckon I will stick with my 1990 ZR-1, a lot less money and a blast to drive.