This 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Restomod is a gorgeous C1 Corvette Convertible that has been restomodded to be a wonderful summer cruiser! In the early 1950s, American automakers began to recognize a gap in the market; that being, the desire for an American-made 2-seater sports car. Up until that point, this segment of the American auto market was dominated by European automakers who were producing sporty little two-seaters that folks were importing in the US. Simultaneously, auto manufacturers across the US began experimenting with novel build techniques and cutting-edge materials. At General Motors' 1952 "Motorama" event, the majority of GM's brands placed a unique concept car on display including the Cadillac Eldorado, Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Fiesta, and, Chevrolet's 1952 EX-122 Motorama Show Car. What made each of these concepts so special was the fact that they were all placed into production for the 1953 model year, including Chevrolet's fiberglass-bodied car. Although most folks have never heard of or even seen a Chevrolet EX-122 cruising down the road, EX-122 show car was re-branded into the Chevrolet Corvette, a car that is arguably the most famous American-made sports car ever produced and a car that lives on today. While the earliest Corvette designs were European-inspired with their sleek body lines and two-seater configuration, they are notorious for their perceived lack of performance with the first 2 year Corvettes sporting 235 Inline 6 engines and automatic transmissions. When Chevrolet introduced the 1955 Corvette, the car finally began to grow into its now-earned performance-oriented reputation with the addition of Chevrolet's V8 engine and manual transmission. With a powerful V8, manual transmission, and lightweight fiberglass body, the Corvette finally got the power plant and drivetrain to back up its sporty look. Then for the 1956 model year, Chevrolet redesigned the front-end look of its sporty Corvette, highlighted with even curvier front fenders that incorporated chrome-trimmed headlights and made the Corvette look even more like the European sports cars at the time. While the 1957 Corvette largely retained the same design of the '56 'Vettes, the 1957 version got even more sporty this time with the availability of an option 4 speed manual transmission that folks had been craving, and a feature that remained on Corvettes for decades. While the C1 first generation Corvettes were sporty little cars for their time, enthusiasts sometimes find them far less sporty than the iterations that followed in the 60s, 70s, and beyond and therefore in recent years, it's become more commonplace for folks to give their C1 'Vettes the Restomod treatment, upgrading everything from the engines, transmissions, brakes, suspensions, and more! And, because they are much more enjoyable to drive with these types of upgrades, it's no surprise that these upgraded cars have been rising in value for the last decade or so, and one can expect that they will continue to rise as enthusiasts are getting more and more use to the modern amenities on their daily drivers. This particular Corvette is only 1 of 6,339 produced in the 1957 model year and comes to us from from a southern based collector who owned and enjoyed this car for nearly 10 years. Under the hood on this '57 Corvette is an upgraded 307 cubic inch V8 engine fed by an Edelbrock single 4 barrel carburetor. The small block Chevy V8 is backed by a 4 speed manual transmission that makes this American sports car an absolute blast to drive. Exhaust exits the upgraded power plant via a dual exhaust setup that generates a terrific throaty sound out of the rear tailpipes. There are upgrades galore on this 1957 Chevy Corvette! With power front disc brakes, powered by an upgraded dual master cylinder, this 'Vette has plenty of stopping power which is especially important with all that extra power under the hood. The steering system has also been upgraded to a Rack and Pinion setup that provides for much more responsive steering when you're shifting through all the gears. Relatedly, a Mustang II-style front end suspension has been added under previous ownership for improved handling and a far superior ride while cruising. Riding on a set of 215/70R15 radial tires in all four corners, mounted on color-matched steel wheels and accented with chrome hubcaps, this 1957 Chevrolet Corvette has a gorgeous look and even better ride whether you're parked at the local car show or taking this beauty on a relaxing summer cruise. This C1 Corvette comes outfitted with tan vinyl convertible top that is in wonderful shape, providing protection from the elements should you need it. The fiberglass body on this Corvette Convertible has been refinished in Cascade Green accented with Beige painted coves, completing the exterior look of this fantastic car. The interior of this 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is gorgeous! The tan bucket seats have been reupholstered and make for comfy seating for you and a passenger. The matching door panels, black carpeting, painted dash, dash-mounted chrome rearview mirror, and color-matched steering wheel are all in fantastic shape as well, contrasting nicely with the Cascade Green exterior. The instrumentation on this '57 Corvette has also been upgraded now featuring a VDO 160 MPH speedometer, along with an AutoMeter clock and additional AutoMeter gauges including an oil pressure gauge, voltage gauge, temperature gauge, and fuel gauge. Whether you're buying your very first classic car or you're looking to add a first generation 'Vette to your existing collection, this 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible would make an excellent choice. Give Ellingson's a call today at 763-428-7337!