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Car Of The Day: May 14, 2017; Johnny Lightning '57 Chevrolet Corvette
Topic Started: May 14 2017, 10:17 PM (256 Views)
Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Today's Car Of The Day is Johnny Lightning's 1957 Chevrolet Corvette.

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Wikipedia
 
The Chevrolet Corvette (C1) is the first generation of the Corvette sports car produced by Chevrolet. It was introduced late in the 1953 model year, and produced through 1962. It is commonly referred to as the "solid-axle" generation, as the independent rear suspension did not appear until the 1963 Sting Ray. The Corvette was rushed into production for its debut model year to capitalize on the enthusiastic public reaction to the concept vehicle, but expectations for the new model were largely unfulfilled. Reviews were mixed and sales fell far short of expectations through the car's early years. The program was nearly canceled, but Chevrolet would ultimately stay the course.


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For more information and pictures of the real car, please visit: Chevrolet Corvette

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If not for Ford finding success with the Thunderbird, the Corvette would likely be nothing but a footnote in the '50s American response to British sports cars. Hudson's Italia, Nash's Healey joint venture, Crosley's Hot Shot, and Kaiser's Darrin were among the others.

An early effort from Playing Mantis, at the time this car came out they were still trying to stylize their cars much in the way Topper had styled the original Johnny Lightnings. Later efforts would be much more accurate to the real cars.

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Wikipedia
 
There was no doubt Chevrolet was in the sports car business with the release of the 1956 model. It featured a new body, a much better convertible top with power assist optional, real glass roll up windows (also with optional power assist), and an optional hardtop. The 3-speed manual transmission was standard. The Powerglide automatic was optional. The six-cylinder engine was gone. The V8 remained at 265 cubic inches but power ranged from 210 to 240 hp (160 to 180 kW). The volume was 3,467, a low number by any contemporary standard and still less than 1954s 3,640, meaning this was the third lowest-volume model in Corvette history. Delco Radio transistorized signal-seeking (hybrid) car radio, which used both vacuum tubes and transistors in its radio's circuitry (1956 option). Rare options: RPO 449 special camshaft with the 240 hp engine (111), RPO 426 power windows (547).

Visually the 1957 model was a near-twin to 1956. Engine displacement increased to 283 cu in (4.6 L), fuel injection became optional, and a 4-speed manual transmission was available after April 9, 1957. Fuel injection first saw regular use on a gasoline engine two years prior on the Mercedes-Benz 300SL "Gullwing". Although the Corvette's GM-Rochester injection used a constant flow system, as opposed to the diesel style nozzle metering system of the Mercedes', the Corvette's engine nevertheless produced about 290 bhp (220 kW). This was underrated by Chevrolet's advertising agency for the 283 hp (211 kW) 283 small-block V8 "One HP per cubic inch" (1 hp (0.75 kW) per 1 cu in (16 cc)) slogan, making it one of the first mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 hp/in³. Pushed toward high-performance and racing, principally by Zora Arkus-Duntov who had raced in Europe, 1957 Corvettes could be ordered ready-to-race with special options. Fuel injection was in short supply and 1,040 Corvettes with this option were sold. Rare options: RPO 579E 283 hp engine with fresh air/tach package (43), RPO 684 heavy-duty racing suspension (51), RPO 276 15 by 5.5 in (380 by 140 mm) wheels (51), RPO 426 power windows (379), RPO 685 4-speed transmission (664).


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pjedsel
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Muscle Car
I remember these early JL Corvette offerings - they always seemed a bit out of proportion to me and not that attractive a casting. Still it was a start for greater things to come!
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426maxwedgie
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Running in the 90's
While these early JLs are not accurate and stylized, that makes them more endearing to me. It makes them more toy-like, and that's not always a bad thing.
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