57 ''FIRST FUEL INJECTION'' CORVETTE. ORIGINAL CORVETTE SS SHOW CAR
This is the first SUPER SPORT Chevrolet by General Motors. The car was made from a 1956 Corvette, vin #E56S001589, which was a full option red / red car when new.
The car was sent to G.M Engineering and styling and SHOP ORDER S.O. #90-181 was assigned.
The car received a new vin number E57S001589, which was unique to the standard 57 vin numbers that all Corvettes had, a 1 after the S, [ E57S10001 thru E57S106339 ]
Chevrolet wanted this car to feature the new Rochester Fuel Injection system and the 283 /283hp engine.
S.O. #90-181 plate is located on a plate riveted to the cowl and on the inside of the door panels, spare tire board and glove box compartment thermos cushions.
The pearl white paint job, [ base, pearl, clear coat ] and the first blue leather interior in a Corvette. The interior is one-off with metal floor pans die molded, trim is the all original blue leather. THE ORIGINAL INTERIOR IS STILL IN THE CAR.
The column mounted tach is the only one of its kind with small and large alternating numbers. The original speedometer shows the original mileage of 4372 miles.
The glove box has a double cup holder with the original blue anodized cups. It also has cushions to fit a thermos bottle.
The seats are separated by a one-off metal ribbed divider which is cupped to fit the driveshaft tunnel in the body. All three pedals are unique mental and special to this car.
The car was sent to G.M Engineering and styling and SHOP ORDER S.O. #90-181 was assigned.
The car received a new vin number E57S001589, which was unique to the standard 57 vin numbers that all Corvettes had, a 1 after the S, [ E57S10001 thru E57S106339 ]
Chevrolet wanted this car to feature the new Rochester Fuel Injection system and the 283 /283hp engine.
S.O. #90-181 plate is located on a plate riveted to the cowl and on the inside of the door panels, spare tire board and glove box compartment thermos cushions.
The pearl white paint job, [ base, pearl, clear coat ] and the first blue leather interior in a Corvette. The interior is one-off with metal floor pans die molded, trim is the all original blue leather. THE ORIGINAL INTERIOR IS STILL IN THE CAR.
The column mounted tach is the only one of its kind with small and large alternating numbers. The original speedometer shows the original mileage of 4372 miles.
The glove box has a double cup holder with the original blue anodized cups. It also has cushions to fit a thermos bottle.
The seats are separated by a one-off metal ribbed divider which is cupped to fit the driveshaft tunnel in the body. All three pedals are unique mental and special to this car.
The glove box has a double cup holder with the original blue anodized cups. It also has cushions to fit a thermos bottle.
The seats are separated by a one-off metal ribbed divider which is cupped to fit the driveshaft tunnel in the body. All three pedals are unique mental and special to this car.
The dash is similar to the 1956 SR-2 cars but also unique, with a courtesy light similar to 1958-62 Corvettes under the center padded leather dash section. It is the first Corvette with special console lamp lights.
The steering wheel is wood on chromed spokes, without any production holes.
The windscreens are compound curved, and the only ones in existence and original to this car.
One off special lamp lighted door panels featuring 3 red lamps in them powered by use of the power window conduits. There are two light switches per door, one for door panels, the other for interior lights.
The original 1956 power top mechanism , lift pistons , pump and lines are still in the car, but the soft top and bows were moved when S.0. 90-181 was completed. All body gaps have been narrowed to enhance the body lines and no weatherstrip is used on the car.
Side trim is made of brass with chrome finish, and side coves are aluminum-anodized. Side flag emblems are cast in brass.
Wiper transmissions are uniquely capped. Soft top deck moldings are chromed, not polished stainless steel as production.
Tail lights are unique with a center divided capped lense. Special SS license plate.
Trunk area sill retains it original show car carpet. All factory tools are in the trunk.
The used spare US Royal XP-140 Tire with Corvette ‘’X’’ Flags on the sidewall is very unique. The other 4 tires match this rare unit and it is believed to be the only set of 5 still in existence .
The seats are separated by a one-off metal ribbed divider which is cupped to fit the driveshaft tunnel in the body. All three pedals are unique mental and special to this car.
The dash is similar to the 1956 SR-2 cars but also unique, with a courtesy light similar to 1958-62 Corvettes under the center padded leather dash section. It is the first Corvette with special console lamp lights.
The steering wheel is wood on chromed spokes, without any production holes.
The windscreens are compound curved, and the only ones in existence and original to this car.
One off special lamp lighted door panels featuring 3 red lamps in them powered by use of the power window conduits. There are two light switches per door, one for door panels, the other for interior lights.
The original 1956 power top mechanism , lift pistons , pump and lines are still in the car, but the soft top and bows were moved when S.0. 90-181 was completed. All body gaps have been narrowed to enhance the body lines and no weatherstrip is used on the car.
Side trim is made of brass with chrome finish, and side coves are aluminum-anodized. Side flag emblems are cast in brass.
Wiper transmissions are uniquely capped. Soft top deck moldings are chromed, not polished stainless steel as production.
Tail lights are unique with a center divided capped lense. Special SS license plate.
Trunk area sill retains it original show car carpet. All factory tools are in the trunk.
The used spare US Royal XP-140 Tire with Corvette ‘’X’’ Flags on the sidewall is very unique. The other 4 tires match this rare unit and it is believed to be the only set of 5 still in existence .
The used spare US Royal XP-140 Tire with Corvette ‘’X’’ Flags on the sidewall is very unique. The other 4 tires match this rare unit and it is believed to be the only set of 5 still in existence .
The frame is the original 1956 production unit stamped E56S001589. The differential, springs, shocks, transmission are all the original units to this car.
The engine is the original 3731548 to this car. The block has been welded in four places after being frozen and cracked. the block is dated J 15 6 [ Oct 15, 1956 ] Block stamping F 10 17 EL [ Flint, Oct 17, 1956, EL= Corvette Fuel Injection, manual trans ]
The cylinder heads 539 casting dated I 4 6 [ Sept 4, 1956 ] , lower harmonic pulley 3742991, starter motor 1107664 dated 6 L 13, [ Nov. 6,1956 ]water pump casting....493,
bellhousing casting 3733865 dated I 26 6, generator 1102043 dated 6K [ Oct 1956 ], transmission side cover 3845122 dated J 15 6, distributor ....889 dated 6 L 13 (same date as starter Nov 6, 56),
F.I. Unit is an early dual spider...4360 it has 1092 stamped in the front of the plenum- this preceded the serial numbered tag- no tag on this unit. It is the 92nd unit made. It is the one I got with the car then I bought it.
The intake is 3741193 the first intake rochester produced.
Springs, shocks, rear end brakes, wheel cylinders, linings, steel wheels etc. are all from this original car.
As far as the F.I. Unit, this 4360 unit is the one I got when I brought the car. It retains its original ‘’EL’’ suffix. Engine was bored .030 with new pistons, rings etc., and pressure tested after welding. The car has been driven about 50 miles since restoration Rich Mozzetta helped John get it running properly in Feb 2017. drove it. Jim Gessner heard it run in John garage May 15, 2019.
The heads are 539, early 193 casting intake with a 4360 injector, duel spider, and early 889 correct FI distributor.
The Air Cleaner is the very rare lovered type [ maybe 1 in 10 exist ].
The valve covers are early 9 fin originals that have been notched for the fuel meter and are chrome plated since new in 1956. Chroming aluminum in 1956 was really innovative.
The entire exhaust system is original to the car and believed to be the first ‘’off-road’’ round muffler system. Mufflers are hand fabricated.
OWNER HISTORY:
GM styling studio, 1956.
Wilsie-Kelly Chevrolet, Core, Michigan, approx 1958-1959.
Ralph Poole Auto Sales, Albuquerque,1959.
Mr. Kennedy, Albuquerque,1959.
William Hoovey , Albuquerque,NM 1959-1996
John Baldwin Malabar, FL 1996-present
SHOW HISTORY:
N.Y. Coliseum Dec. 1956.
Detroit Auto Show Jan -Feb 1957
Amelia Island 2017- National Automotive Hertiage Award, Historic Vehicle Association
HAV / FIVA Most Significant Historic Vehicle
NCRS Florida Regional Feb 2018. Qualified for American Heritage Award
THIS IS A PIECE OF REAL CORVETTE HISTORY. CALL ME 909-557-4870 FOR ADDITIONAL HISTORY . CAR IS LOCATED IN MALABAR, FLORIDA,
INSPECTION IS WELCOME.
The frame is the original 1956 production unit stamped E56S001589. The differential, springs, shocks, transmission are all the original units to this car.
The engine is the original 3731548 to this car. The block has been welded in four places after being frozen and cracked. the block is dated J 15 6 [ Oct 15, 1956 ] Block stamping F 10 17 EL [ Flint, Oct 17, 1956, EL= Corvette Fuel Injection, manual trans ]
The cylinder heads 539 casting dated I 4 6 [ Sept 4, 1956 ] , lower harmonic pulley 3742991, starter motor 1107664 dated 6 L 13, [ Nov. 6,1956 ]water pump casting....493,
bellhousing casting 3733865 dated I 26 6, generator 1102043 dated 6K [ Oct 1956 ], transmission side cover 3845122 dated J 15 6, distributor ....889 dated 6 L 13 (same date as starter Nov 6, 56),
F.I. Unit is an early dual spider...4360 it has 1092 stamped in the front of the plenum- this preceded the serial numbered tag- no tag on this unit. It is the 92nd unit made. It is the one I got with the car then I bought it.
The intake is 3741193 the first intake rochester produced.
Springs, shocks, rear end brakes, wheel cylinders, linings, steel wheels etc. are all from this original car.
As far as the F.I. Unit, this 4360 unit is the one I got when I brought the car. It retains its original ‘’EL’’ suffix. Engine was bored .030 with new pistons, rings etc., and pressure tested after welding. The car has been driven about 50 miles since restoration Rich Mozzetta helped John get it running properly in Feb 2017. drove it. Jim Gessner heard it run in John garage May 15, 2019.
The heads are 539, early 193 casting intake with a 4360 injector, duel spider, and early 889 correct FI distributor.
The Air Cleaner is the very rare lovered type [ maybe 1 in 10 exist ].
The valve covers are early 9 fin originals that have been notched for the fuel meter and are chrome plated since new in 1956. Chroming aluminum in 1956 was really innovative.
The entire exhaust system is original to the car and believed to be the first ‘’off-road’’ round muffler system. Mufflers are hand fabricated.
OWNER HISTORY:
GM styling studio, 1956.
Wilsie-Kelly Chevrolet, Core, Michigan, approx 1958-1959.
Ralph Poole Auto Sales, Albuquerque,1959.
Mr. Kennedy, Albuquerque,1959.
William Hoovey , Albuquerque,NM 1959-1996
John Baldwin Malabar, FL 1996-present
SHOW HISTORY:
N.Y. Coliseum Dec. 1956.
Detroit Auto Show Jan -Feb 1957
Amelia Island 2017- National Automotive Hertiage Award, Historic Vehicle Association
HAV / FIVA Most Significant Historic Vehicle
NCRS Florida Regional Feb 2018. Qualified for American Heritage Award
THIS IS A PIECE OF REAL CORVETTE HISTORY. CALL ME 909-557-4870 FOR ADDITIONAL HISTORY . CAR IS LOCATED IN MALABAR, FLORIDA,
INSPECTION IS WELCOME.