The 57 Chevy ‘Vette almost didn’t make it to 1957 and nearly died a death a few years earlier.  Why did this car, which has won the hearts of many the world over, come within a hair’s breath of being canceled?

Chevrolet first introduced the two-seat Corvette or ‘Vette’ in 1953. It was the passion and brainchild of the renowned automobile designer Harley Earl.  Mr. Earl had been designing for the company since the late 1920’s and at long last managed to persuade them to develop a two seater sports car, not unlike the MGs, Alfas and other European automobiles that were being brought over to the American market by returning GIs.

While the 1953 Chevy Corvette was hailed for its killer good looks and fabulous body, its performance under the hood was decidedly unexciting, unadventurous and somewhat frigid.  The Ford Thunderbird further threatened the future of the auto that would in due course go down in the archives of American automotive history as ‘the only true American sports car’, by outselling the Corvette by 24 to 1.  Ouch!

While the Thunderbird was looking great on the highways of America, the Chevrolet Corvette (not yet the 57 model) was still languishing in the automotive showrooms. It was at this point in time that GM considered killing the ‘Vette, or in the words of an devotee ‘murdering it’.  Things were not looking good.

Enter the powerful V8 engine and Zora Arkus-Duntov. Zora, who somewhat wrongly became known ever after as the father of the Corvette, inspired the V8 design and specifications for the 1957 Corvette.  The V8 is credited with being the single most important change made to the Corvette to date.

Enough of the auto history. Given the new V8 engine the 1957 Corvette zoomed from so-so to muscle in performance and was reborn as a serious sports car, something that any 1957 Chevy collector should have.

While the 1957 Chevy is as synonymous with the American dream as Mama’s home-made apple pie, the Americans do not have the monopoly on vehicles in imaginings.  The Chevy Corvette began appearing in the dreams of sleepers all over the world and started attracting fans all over the globe.  The unsuspecting public was introduced to the ‘Vette through the medium of its frequent guest TV appearances, where it often achieved its own listing in the credits! How is that for a comeback story?

The 57 Chevy Corvette is coveted by classic car enthusiasts all over the globe. They are being bought at car auctions for anywhere from $70,000 upwards, with apparently no lack of adoring buyers. The automobile world is now holding its breath, waiting for the introduction of the C7 Chevy Corvette expected to arrive sometime in 2010.

#868

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