NCRS Top Flight Corvette Roadster 283 V8 4 Speed

If there's a better way to spend warm summer evenings than behind the wheel of a car that looks and drives like this, I can't imagine what it is. Fully-sorted and ready to tear up the roads, this NCRS Top Flight roadster mixes an original dual quad V8 with an original 4-speed transmission and enough style to make your high school math teacher look cool. Literally everything about this classic will make you smile: how it sounds, how it feels, how it accelerates, and how it draws appreciative glances from random people on the street. And if you're looking to add a little spice to your weekend routine, it's the perfect way to take Sunday drives to a whole new level! Are you in the market for a solid, first generation Corvette that you can enjoy on sunny days and cruise to local shows? Then we have the car for you!

During its extensive restoration this awesome roadster's contoured fiberglass body was completely stripped, layered in a glossy Venetian Red basecoat and trimmed with clean Beige door coves. Like all '57 Corvettes, it was originally assembled at GM's storied St. Louis manufacturing facility; and like most '57 Corvettes, its fit and finish presents much better now than it did 56 years ago. Given their fiberglass construction, curved bodies and increasing age, first generation Vettes are difficult restorations that do not hide major repairs well. Judging by the looks of this roadster's smooth fuselage, there's no evidence it has ever seen any catastrophic damage or botched fix jobs. And today, the car's solid condition is typical of what we all wish to find in a top notch, road-ready classic.

Chevrolet's 1957 Corvette is essentially an improved version of the brand's hand-built '53 model; a car that not only set a design precedent for American cars, but also began a rich legacy that's now 60 years strong. At the front of this C1, an aggressive chrome grille rides between correct T3 headlights, small, chrome-trimmed parking lamps, a subtle header emblem and convex bumpers that bend around peaked fenders. Between those fenders, a sculpted hood leads the eye to a classy wraparound windshield that's framed by bright chrome trim, capped by a fresh white top and flanked by an American made mirror. Below that mirror, traditional chrome door handles perfectly complement chrome-trimmed fender vents and pristine stainless trim. And at the back of the car, a second Corvette emblem rides between recessed and chrome-trimmed tail lights, more convex bumpers and vertical trim spears that center bare stainless pipes in dramatic quarter panels.

While this convertible is certainly one handsome cruiser, we all know looks aren't everything. Take a peek under its bright red hood and you'll find an original 283 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 that props a dual quad/high performance/4-speed (EG) assembly stamp above a 1957-specific 3731548 casting number. Consistently chosen over Rochester's much-hyped Ramjet fuel injection as GM's ultimate hot rod option, this stout small block is widely regarded as the starting point of Chevrolet's amazing performance legacy. Those reliable Carter carburetors, which breathe through small, louvered air cleaners, funnel life into a big Winter intake. At the sides of that intake, finned Corvette valve covers hang over fully restored exhaust manifolds. Behind those manifolds, a traditional points distributor shoots fire through familiar Radio GM wires. And in front of those wires, a gloss black radiator circulates coolant through reproduction GM hoses and authentic metal squeeze clamps. In addition to its killer powerplant, this Corvette offers a correctly detailed engine bay that's complete with stainless fuel lines, an old school fuel bowl, a tagged and rebuilt generator, and a reproduction Delco Energizer battery. And the car's first rate aesthetics, which mix smooth, satin black framing with a bright, Chevy Orange core, create great texture and excellent contrast.

Flip this vintage Vette upside down and you'll find a solid, fully restored X-frame that's bolted to super clean floor tubs. Behind the hot motor, an original Borg Warner T10 4-speed, which wears a telling “T10” brand and a correct “W” coded build stamp, sends power through what appears to be the car's original, highway-friendly rear end. At the ends of the floors, a fully restored double A-arm front and solid axle rear suspension has been completely returned to factory specifications. At the corners of that suspension, standard equipment four wheel drum brakes complement good handling characteristics with solid and confident stops. Exhaust is handled by big, true-dual pipes which run from a primitive, H-shaped crossover to long, deep-tone mufflers. Power flows to the pavement via standard 15 inch steelies which spin fresh 6.70-15 BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewalls around traditional stainless wheel covers. And everything from this Corvette's leak-free fuel tank to its Chevy Orange oil pan is fully sorted and ready to make you smile.

Slide inside this Chevy's space-conscious cockpit and you'll find a correct vinyl interior that, unlike most vintage convertibles, displays no cracking or annoying color issues. Thanks to the car's high quality reboot, its textured seats still have years of life left in them. There's stain-free carpet which, thanks to Corvette-branded floor mats, still features clean red shading. Front and center, stylish, retro gauges and a large, convex speaker look great inside Chevy's traditional dual-cowl dash. In the middle of the floor, a petite chrome shifter feels both light and toss able. In front of the driver, a speed-drilled steering wheel spins a glowing red rim around a polished cross-flag horn button. At the sides of the passengers, scuff-free door panels center perfectly placed armrests in pristine stainless trim. And below the car's retracted top, a fully restored trunk shows virtually no signs of usage.

The sale of this slick roadster includes copies of three of its previous owners' titles, a few restoration photos, a stack of NCRS Top Flight judging sheets, and the car's official NCRS Top Flight certificate.

As a highly desirable C1 that features a top notch restoration, a hot V8 and an engaging 4-speed, this slick Corvette has a little something for everyone. And what's better: it's exactly the kind of classic that provides endless fun on the highway and celebrity status in the parking lot. Where else can you get such an excellent combination of style and performance for such reasonable money? Don't miss this opportunity to experience a stellar piece of American history!