“One Horsepower Per Cubic Inch.”
The 1957 Corvette was nearly identical styling to the 1956, but that was the headline Chevrolet’s advertising agency used to introduce the new GM-Rochester Ramjet Fuel Injection option. This was then, the most advanced performance feature ever offered on an American production engine, and it was also the first time in automobile history that one horsepower per cubic inch was achieved.
The 1957 Corvette’s performance was tremendous. The Ramjet Fuel Injection eliminated the carburetor with efficient constant flow of delivered fuel directly to the cylinders, and gave it better accelerator response, greater fuel economy, higher low-speed torque and smoothness, easy starting and overall improvement of engine performance was phenomenal.
All four 1957 Corvette V8 engines were increased to 283 cubic inches with the standard engine rated at 220 horsepower, a 245 horsepower twin four-barrel V8, a 250 horsepower V8 with Fuel Injection, and the 283 horsepower optional Fuel Injection engine.
This year, thanks to Zora Arkus-Duntov, the Corvette could also be ordered “ready-to-race” with special options, some of which included the 283 horsepower engine with the Fresh Air and Tach Package, Heavy-Duty Suspension, and 15×5.5-inch wheels.
The standard transmission was a special 3-speed close ratio, and a special version of the smooth Powerglide transmission was an extra-cost option with certain engines, and an optional 4-speed manual transmission was available after April 9, 1957.
The 1957 Corvette body had sculpted side panels, the last year with single headlights. high quality polished lacquer finish, a front hinged hood, a manually operated fabric top or lightweight easily removable plastic hardtop and came seven paint color choices.
No matter which combination of paint and engine, the 1957 Corvette became one of the greatest sports cars America had ever seen.
