I would like to build a 57 Corvette.

I want to so bad!

I saw a rough whole rolling '58-'62 (don't know my years too well yet) project at the Sacramento swapmeet for $12k, when I saw I thought, "Dang, I should sell my Model A roadster and pick that up".

Someday, right?

 

That's great. You have to be real happy with those times.

 

Just when I completely gave up on trying to find a Vette, (I know 7 people that own one that are just sitting and they won't sell them) a friend told me about one that is just what I wanted. I jumped on it like a fly on shit.

A 350 with a 4 speed Munci. I haven't received it yet but I plan on driving it until the snow is too deep, then get out the wrenches.

I will start with stripping the frame down completely and sand blast it. It is the only way to be sure that there is still enough steel left in it. After priming, I will use black DuPont industrial Imron. Ir covers imperfections well and is bullet proof.

I prefer a shiny finish, v/s semigloss, it stays cleaner and is easy to wash.

I'm kind of hoping that the front suspension is garbage to give me a reason to buy a bolt in IFS. I guess it depends on how well my body (mine, not the cars) can take the ride.

It only comes with a hard top that will come off the same day that I see it.

Why someone would want to drive with it on is beyond me. I have a 65 Muskrat that I never put the top up, A 71 Impala with out a top!, a 32 roadster, no top and a Pontiac WTF with no top. Those facts never stopped me from driving them. (My ass ain't made of candy, it won't melt.)

I should have it ready for the summer if I can get my painter to paint another red one for me. (Are 7 red cars and trucks too much?)

 

Plan on replacing the rear crossmember. Congrats on the purchase.

 

I received my new toy a few weeks ago, a former drag 57 Corvette. It was advertised as a driver and was fairly complete. It turned out to be better than I was actually looking for when I received it.

I was going to drive it for a few months until the winter, and then do a frame off.
Closer exam of it showed that it had been hastily put back together to sell it to the person that I bought it off of.

I first noticed that the alt. wire was only 16 ga. so that had to be replaced along with a new batt. shut off switch. While under the dash, I noticed that it must have been re-wired by an Italian as it was stuffed with a lot of spaghetti in place of the wiring. At first , I noticed three new terminal blocks and a nice seven place fuse panel. Then I noticed that most of the wires had been cut and by-passed and only two fusses were connected up. That had to go.

I took out my handy dandy wire cutters and proceeded to cut everything in view. I then mounted a seven place circuit panel box under the hood and began stringing different colored wires of different sizes around the car. When I got to the alt. regulator, I decided that there were too many wires, so I bought a new alt. with an internal regulator.
After a 1/2 a box of wire ties, all the wires were tucked up nicely in place.

My attention then went to stopping it. After replacing most of the braking system , tires (P225 and P215's)and wheels (7"), I noticed that the Olds rear axle had a Pontiac shurtrac center section in it and someone drilled the wheel bolt holes off center, so I have a new set of axles on order.

I am now installing a new windshield wiper assy. from Specialty Power Windows to replace the missing parts that were not needed for drag racing. (By the way, horns and the front sway bar and emergency brake assy' are not needed for racing either.)

I am completely amazed by the assortment of fasteners used by the mechanic that assembled it, (including wood screws) along with the total lack of lock washers, I don't think he had any wrenches to tighten up any of the nuts ether.

I should have it back on the road in a few weeks and when all is said and done, and about $4000 later, I am still very happy with the purchase.

Now I can drive it till the snow falls, and I will then be ready for my my frame off.

 

Awesome. That looks like the same color as my dads 58. Signant red. I'd love to build a gasser out of one. Have fun with the windshield wipers. Good score btw.

 

good friend did a 59 with a art Morrison frame cause the original frame was shot. after riding in it ,what a difference. but it was very expensive.

 

The windshield wiper kit was a breeze, One look at the video and it went like a charm. I took out the seat (two bolts each) and because I have no heater, I could have held a dance under the dash.

I fell in love with the color when I mixed a gallon at a paint store where I worked in 58, for a friend of mine.

Note the position of the jumper wire on the alt. Not technically correct, but it has worked perfectly on my other cars, The alt. is for a 76 Elcamino and is cheap at $55. (88) amps)

 

I fell in love with this 57 up at the Hot Rod Reunion in Epping. Instead of a straight axle he fabbed up blocks to raise up the front and retained the stock front end. I wish I'd taken a close up of that. Car looks great, congrats and good luck.

 

One of my favorite cars. And it goes as good as it looks. I raised the front end of mine in a similar fashion. Here is a picture of the 4 inch I-beams installed.

And here is a thread devoted to raising Corvettes.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=719325&showall=1

 

I just got a real good deal online today.
I bought a set of matching numbers for my Corvette.

This should increase the value by at least 26%.

 

NCRS Top Flight matching numbers resto here we come !!! HA HA

 

Great looking project, look forward to the pictures, the black corvette is nice, the daisy wheels are one of my favorites.

jp

 

This 57 is a killer car and runs 10.00's all day long. Quickest I have seen it go was a 9.85. Inspiration for my build.

 

Really nice car and runs really well.

jp

 

What motor trans.etc. weight?

 

Some diffrent pictures of my friends car and our last trip to woodburn dragstrip, i think he owned that car for 40 years, runs easy 10s all day long.

jp

 

sick pictures