1957 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible with Hardtop
Registration no. not registered
Chassis no. E57S101475
Engine no. to be advised
•283ci (4.6-litre) V8 engine
•An older restoration
•Stored since acquisition in 2008
•Requires re-commissioning
Footnotes:
Back in 1953, Chevrolet's launch of a two-seater sports car was a radical departure for a marque hitherto associated almost exclusively with sensible family transport. Based on the 1952 EX-122 show car, the Corvette made use of existing GM running gear and a shortened chassis frame, around which was wrapped striking Harley Earl-styled glassfibre coachwork. Motive power came from Chevrolet's 235.5ci (3.8-litre) overhead-valve straight six and, unusually for a sports car, there was automatic transmission, a feature that attracted much adverse criticism at the time.

Intended as competition for the T-Series MG, the Corvette cost way above the target figure, ending up in Jaguar XK120 territory but with an inferior performance. Sales were sluggish initially and the model came close to being axed, surviving thanks to Chevrolet's need to compete with Ford's Thunderbird. A V8 engine for 1955 and a radical re-style for '56 consolidated the 'Vette's position in the market. By this time, Corvettes had begun to establish an enviable competition record for the marque. Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov was a big fan of auto racing and it was he that was responsible for unlocking the car's innate potential and developing it into a genuine race-winner. These racing successes repaid Chevrolet's investment with interest: Corvette sales improved significantly, ensuring the car's survival and enabling it to go on to become the world's best-selling and longest-lived sports car.

This Corvette convertible dates from 1957, the year that the 283ci (4,639cc) V8 engine was standardised, replacing the old 265ci unit. Fuel injection became optional for '57 and a four speed manual transmission was available from April of that year. Chevrolet's advertising made much of the fact that in its ultimate specification the fuel-injected Corvette produced 283bhp, or one horsepower for every cubic inch, making it the first production engine to do so. This particular 'Vette was ordered with the three-speed manual transmission and optional heater.

The current vendor purchased the car from ProTeam Corvette Sales of Napoleon, Ohio in May 2008. At that time the car was described as a matching numbers example benefiting from a body-on restoration with 'beautiful new paint, interior, top, chrome, and stainless exhaust', sadly no bills are on file for this work. A copy of the advertisement is on file and the car also comes with the 2007 bill of sale, a copy of the old Ohio Certificate of Title, and sales/shipping paperwork. Stored since acquisition, the Corvette will require re-commissioning before further use and thus is sold strictly as viewed.

Please note that if this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at the reduced rate of 5% on the hammer price. It will also require a NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) and an additional fee of £250 (plus VAT) will be charged on the Invoice to prepare the NOVA. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers. Please note that this vehicle is only offered with a photocopy of its old registration document, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.
Lot to be sold without reserve.
This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * N
* VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
N MOTORCYCLES
If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £125 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.

CARS
If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £250 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.