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1957 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

1957 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

o·rig·i·nal
adjective: original
1. present or existing from the beginning; first version, as it came from the factory.

This Corvette was ordered by Henry Bach of Long Island, New York on May 4th, 1957 from Mel Chevrolet Sales Corp. of Far Rockaway, New York. He traded in a 1955 Chevy 4 door. It was ordered with every option except one of two more powerful engines. (ordered with a 283ci motor). It was ordered with the milder Dual 4-barrel version putting out 245 horsepower (see original salesman's order sheet and original window sticker invoice). All service records are included up to 1966 when it appears his son took over the car.

In July of 1966 the ownership was transferred to Cecil Morgan of Wappingers Falls , New York. Mr. Morgan was a collector and car was owned approx. 10 years when the executrix of Cecil Morgan signed title to Craig Lutz of Sinking Spring, PA. on July 1977.

Craig was busy with various building projects so he squirreled it away in his barn to work on his business projects. He related that all of the mechanicals were completed over a 10 plus year period, so it was not neglected just a victim of a busy schedule.

Fast forward to July 1992 the current consigner came home early from work and opened up Hemmings. BINGO!! “I think I found the car I wanted” and called my knowledgeable neighbor friend who has a mastery of NCRS numbers. “As Craig raised the barn door, I was taken aback. He had the hardtop stored on top of the soft top and it really looked unusual. My buddy is down on the floor of the barn with a flashlight and kept nodding yes. Within an hour we had decided this was a real car that had never been chewed up by a guy like me when I was 18.”

Craig related that the motor, transmission, and rear were all rebuilt to NCRS standards and that all the parts on the car were ORIGINAL matching number parts. He had brought the car to the point of just needing cosmetics to finish it...and the rest is history.

Exterior
Currently a wonderful patina with all the chips and dings, faults that time has offered over the life of this single respray in 1961. A two-tone silver insert is on either side. The hardtop is in good condition and shows same patina. An “automatic control” soft top resides underneath, and is in good condition, however it is believed it may need a top off of oil because it is hydraulic, and it struggles. Chrome is in good condition, with minimal faults accumulated over the past 62 years. Rear bumper exhaust ports are even solid and good looking. White wall tires are present with the knockoff hubcaps original to this car.

Interior
All original red leather buckets that show little wear and are solid in the foam department. Red carpet is very nice and floods the floor and center 'bump”. Door panels are very good as well and have a matching pattern to the seats. Power window switches are operational and are seen in both doors. White painted steel above the door panels shows wear with paint chipping but definitely shows as original. A parking brake alarm, courtesy lights, seat belts (an option in 1957) are installed. An original radio with the Wonderbar option is seen in the center of the dash.

Drivetrain
A 283ci V8 with Dual 4-barrel carburetors is seen with the pop of the hood. A clean and unrestored engine bay has all the correct parts, excepting the voltage regulator has been changed. Backing up the 283 is a Powerglide automatic transmission.

Undercarriage
Garaging has been kind to this car, as any time it has spent in a garage it has been dry. The frame, and floorpans, as well as body mounts are all rust free and black. There are two holes from rust damage in the rear crossmember that holds the quarter panels. Consigner states that the radiator has been recored.

Resisting the urge to tear an old car totally apart and bring it back in pristine condition is a difficult thing. Today's market is full of restored cars that are pretty to look at, and gleam from every angle. This car is by no means perfect, but when you consider it is 62 years old, and in original condition, it becomes extra desirable for the collector market. Many photos of the find in the garage to numerous parts that will come with this car. Oh and I need to mention Zora Duntov signed the original paperwork…now that's provenance!

Extra Parts
POWER TOP PUMP PARTS AND TRAY , NEW OLD STOCK STAINLESS SIDE TRIM. STAINLESS TRIM IN ORIGINAL WRAPPING, STAINLESS TRIM - 3 PIECES, WINDOW BRUSHES FOR BOTH DOORS, ORIGINAL STAINLESS STRAP, BATTERY TRAY, AND TWO REAR BUMPER BONES, STAINLESS SHROUDS FOR MOTOR; STAINLESS BOLTS; HOSE CLAMPS, FRONT LICENSE PLATE BAR; GASKET SET; FUEL LINES; HOOD POP UPS ORIGINAL WHEEL RUBBERS THAT KEPT STONES OUT OF WHEEL COVERS, T-3 HEAD LAMP, TWO LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, SPARE TIRE HOLDER BOLT; HOOD RELEASE HANDLE; DOOR LOCK KNOB; BUMPERETTE, PLUS MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. See photos!

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 300 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.