- LSX Magazine - https://www.lsxmag.com -

SEMA 2017: Rick Hendrick’s Rare 1957 “Airbox” Corvette

[1]

There was probably no finer year in the C1 Corvette era than 1957, especially for the development of the line. First, the popular 265 cubic-inch V8 engine was bored out to 283 cubic-inches with the realization that there is no replacement for displacement. Understanding the some enthusiasts would pay for performance, Chevrolet offered two different dual 4-barrel carb options.

  • [2]
  • [3]

It that wasn’t enough to create a real buzz, the team also offered a Rochester Ram Jet mechanical fuel injection, born of racecar technology, and the legend of the “fuelies” was launched. It was this engine combination that finally hit the magical brick wall of one horsepower per cubic-inch of displacement. This platform became the performance benchmark for Chevrolet overnight.

  • [4]
  • [5]

A lessor known option, offered as 579E, and soon to become known as the “airbox” package, coupled with the heavy-duty suspension package (option 684) more commonly known as the “big brake” package, were coupled together to make the Corvette perform on the track.

Only 43 of the 6,339 Vettes made in 1957 were sold with the “airbox” option from the factory. There are only 17 or 18 of these original “airbox” cars surviving today. Thankfully we were able to enjoy one of these cars in the Chevrolet Performance Booth at the SEMA show this year.

  • [6]
  • [7]

Specs: