1957 Chevrolet Corvette FI Roadster

by Michael Duffey

merica was sadly without a true sports car until Chevrolet introduced the Corvette at the 1953 Motorama show and started production that year. The early Corvettes were lower and sportier than any other domestic car on the market but they lacked the innovative technology necessary to break open the market. Starting in 1955, Corvettes carried a V8 engine which improved their performance but their styling badly needed updating. In order for Chevy to combat the T-Bird and beat Ford in the sales wars, they needed to transform the Corvette into a serious sports car. In 1956 designer Harley Earl made a full-scale clay model of the new Corvette that was immediately approved by GM management. The distinctive coves were taken from a 1955 Motorama exercise called LaSalle II and became the trademark of the ’Vette through the ’50s. Many greatly needed improvements were made such as a better fitting and optionally motorized convertible top. Chevy used real glass side...