1957 Chevrolet Corvette 283/283 “Fuelie”

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

By the mid-60s Southern California was engulfed in a car craze, captivating young men like Steven J. Karlock, who became enamored with the Shelby 427 Cobra. Steven's passion for high-quality cars began with a Cobra, extended to Corvettes, and grew to include many legendary marques. Together with his wife, Jackie, he restored and cherished these vehicles. They later moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where they opened Karlock's Museum of Pop Culture in a historic grain depot along the Mississippi River. The museum, showcasing top-tier motorcars and memorabilia, became a Midwest gem. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present The Karlock’s Collection, offered entirely without reserve. 

When two Corvettes finished 1-2 in the GT class at the 1957 12 Hours of Sebring the message was clear: Chevrolet’s Corvette was now a world class sports car. In fact, the Corvette’s next closest rival was 20 laps in arears, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. 

The Corvettes available in Chevrolet showrooms in 1957 were not much different from these racing champions. Engine options for the 283 cu-in small-block V8 ranging from the popular base 220 horsepower model with a single four-barrel carburetor, all the way up to the famous 283 horsepower option that utilized the new Rochester “Ram Jet” mechanical fuel injection. This 1957 Corvette offered from The Karlock’s Collection is one of those built for speed, starting with the fuel-injected engine and four-speed manual transmission. Add Positraction with 4.11:1 gears and the optional 5.5-inch wheels and “dog dish” hub caps for maximum acceleration and traction. It’s finished in Inca Silver acrylic lacquer, the rarest color in ’57, and trimmed in beige vinyl with a black convertible top. It benefitted from a multi-year ground-up restoration, earning the Top Flight award from the National Corvette Restorers Society on its first attempt in 2012, scoring 98.6 percent of “as manufactured” condition. 

Highlights 

• Offered from The Karlock’s Collection  

• NCRS Top Flight award in 2012 scoring 98.6 out of 100 points  

• 283 cu-in V8 with Rochester “Ram Jet” mechanical fuel injection producing 283 horsepower 

• Four-speed T-10 manual transmission  

• Three-owner California Corvette 

• Offered from the first year of mechanical fuel-injection option 

• Positraction with 4.11:1 gears 

• Optional 5.5-inch wheels and “dog dish” hub caps 

• “Wonderbar” signal-seeking AM radio 

• Finished in uncommon Inca Silver with matching removable factory hardtop 

• Beige bucket seat vinyl interior with black convertible top 

• The chassis number (E57S103641) decodes as: 

  • E – Corvette 

  • 57 – 1957 model year 

  • S – St. Louis, Missouri, assembly plant 

  • 103641 – Production serial number starting with 100001 (built October 1957) 

Features 

• Driver’s side exterior rear-view mirror 

• Three-spoke steering wheel 

• 160 mph speedometer 

• Two-speed electric windshield wipers 

• Dual sun visors 

• Seat belts 

• Dashboard-mounted mirror  

• Manual roll-up windows 

• Electric clock  

• Dual exhaust outlets 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Karlock’s Collection are offered after many years of static museum display, without operation or road use. The selling estate endeavored to advance all cars to running condition, however, as a result of the extended museum display, it is to be assumed that every lot will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All cars will have immediate needs associated with long-term static display and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

• Headlights are inoperable 

• Small paint chip behind right rear wheel 

• Paint bubbles on soft top cover 

Included 

• An assortment of books and factory manuals 

• Restoration receipts and photos 

• NCRS Top Flight award 

• Spare wheel and tire 

• Jack 

• Spare radiator caps 

• Spare weather stripping 

 Ownership History 

This three-owner 1957 Corvette was acquired by The Karlock’s Collection in 2004 from John Borg of Lancaster, California, who owned it from 1990.  

Additional Notes 

A private preview will be hosted by Hagerty Marketplace for registered bidders on Sunday August 18 and Monday the 19th.  You must call the representing Car Specialist, Ramsey Potts (912.508.4096), in advance to secure an appointment.    

Additionally, due to the cars being stored in a personal residence, following the close of the auction all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Tuesday, September 3rd through Tuesday, September 10. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 3 and any lots remaining after September 10 will be removed from the facility and placed in an adjacent lot.   

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.     Contact: Matt Lowney  Phone: 623.308.2640  email: mlowney@hagerty.com