While the Corvette's early years were not without challenges, it began to truly flourish in 1956 and 1957, thanks in large part to the visionary contributions of noted engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov. By 1957, he had transformed the Corvette into a formidable high-performance sports car. That year’s Corvette bore only minor visual refinements compared to the 1956 model, yet it introduced an impressive array of features, including vibrant colors and enhanced power accessories. Most notable were the high-horsepower fuel-injected engines.

Employing a Rochester mechanical fuel injection system similar to that used on racecars in period—including Arkus-Duntov’s Project XP-64 Corvette SS prototype—these street “Fuelie” Corvettes produced horsepower figures still respectable today. Buyers with enough cash could expect as much as 283 advertised horsepower from the 283-cubic-inch V-8, though the high price meant that only 1,040 took home a fuel-injected Corvette for 1957. Of these, just 756 opted for the 10.5:1 compression ratio 283-horsepower EL-code engine, with the rest selecting the slightly detuned 250-horsepower variants.

The buyer of this 1957 Corvette clearly knew exactly what he wanted, selecting the more powerful EL-code engine and taking delivery at Harry Marx Chevrolet of Gilroy, California. As a relatively early production car, it was paired with a three-speed manual gearbox (the four-speed was introduced later in the model year). He clearly cherished his Fuelie and is said to have retained it for a remarkable 37 years with over 80,000 miles driven behind the wheel, after which he sold it back to its original retailing dealership!

The dealer is then understood to have commenced a high-quality, two-year restoration of the Corvette, which was completed in the mid-1990s. The current condition is a testament to the excellence of this restoration, with the limited road use and attentive care received since completion showing throughout its presentation over two decades later. The classic Venetian Red paint with a matching hardtop and White coves display very nicely, while the Red interior exhibits only minor signs of use and gentle aging.

Acquired by the consignor in 2018, this Corvette Fuelie no doubt stunned any would-be contenders at California stoplights when new. Nearly 70 years later, it remains no less impressive as an icon of American design and cutting-edge performance.