While much has been written about Zora Arkus-Duntov and his successful drive to transform Chevrolet’s early Corvette into a true high-performance machine, the importance of his work cannot be overstated. During only his first three years on the job at GM, Arkus-Duntov prevented the Corvette’s demise and convinced top Chevrolet and GM management to commit to building exciting cars and proving them in competition. Working closely with Ed Cole, Chevrolet’s engineering chief, Arkus-Duntov tirelessly, and often at great risk, personally tested and raced the Corvette, methodically developing it into an enduring legend. One of the early fruits of his one-man crusade is this 1957 Corvette convertible. One of just 6,339 examples built in all for 1957, it is rarer still as one of 2,045 equipped with the RPO 469A dual-quad 283/245 HP V-8 engine. In addition to its matching-numbers engine, this 1957 Corvette continues to benefit from a body-off restoration to show condition and sports the rare color combination of Arctic Blue paint with Inca Silver coves, a red interior and a white soft top. Other choice features and options include a Powerglide automatic transmission, power windows, an auxiliary hardtop, a 3.55 rear end, Wonderbar signal- seeking radio, an E-brake warning light, off-road exhaust, windshield washers, courtesy lights, a heater, hubcaps and 6.70x15 whitewall tires. Most all factory-correct-type components are retained, including a spare, jack, jack tools, trunk mat, trunk liner, rebound straps, spiral shocks, washer system, shifter, ignition shielding, air cleaners, generator, distributor, spark-plug shields, hoses, most hose clamps, hood alignment blocks, nine-fin valve covers, hood pop-ups, fuel filter, carburetors, guide Y-50 mirror, owner’s manual, sales brochure and T3 headlights. Multiple NCRS awards have been earned by this Corvette, including Top Flight honors with a 98.4% score in 2015. Documents include an NCRS certificate, judging sheets, restoration receipts and ownership history since the mid- 1970s. In testament to the authenticity and integrity of this 1957 Corvette, it has also participated in the Michael Hunt 1956-1957 Corvette research project dating to 1979.
