Looking at Bucket List '57

[Mike M.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Wow, a 210? Almost a "Black Widow" type 150. That had to be very rare. Interesting that the number of FI passenger cars was about the same as Corvettes that year. I guess the passenger cars had Saginaw 3 speeds?

you are correct in that the 57 pass fi's ,if standard shift, had the 3 speed common to the 55-57 chevy pass 3 speeds except the FI 3 speeds were close ratio 3 speeds like the c-1 corvette 3 speeds. no 57 pass cars got the BW t-10 to the best of my kbnowledge. many were retro-fitted with 4 speeds via over the counter sales in the late 50's early 60's. mike

[Michael J.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

With all this info on the neat '57 FI passenger cars, maybe I should replace the Corvette with a BelAir as my bucket list FI car!

[Kenneth F.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

About 2 years ago, Bruce Canepa, a dealer in Scotts Valley, Ca. had a 1957 Bel-Air with F.I., original green paint and original interior. The mileage was around thirty thousand. It had a 3 speed, and I think O.D. I know someone who works there who thought the previous long time owner was the McCord Gasket Co.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

here is our 57 FI 150 we ran at the 1957 NASCAR daytona beach race. the article is not correct as we qualified 12th but burned a piston in the race and replaced the piston over at smokeys so we could drive the car back to Pa.

[Michael J.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

You guys are making these '57 FI passenger cars sound better and better

[Steven B.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

That is really neat Clem! Thanks for posting.

Steve

[Bruce B.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Clem,

Great article.

ThANKS,
Bruce B

[James G.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

you are correct in that the 57 pass fi's ,if standard shift, had the 3 speed common to the 55-57 chevy pass 3 speeds except the FI 3 speeds were close ratio 3 speeds like the c-1 corvette 3 speeds. no 57 pass cars got the BW t-10 to the best of my knowledge. many were retro-fitted with 4 speeds via over the counter sales in the late 50's early 60's. mike

And Mike, weren't 57 FI cars mostly 4800 units with 250hp

[James G.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

here is our 57 FI 150 we ran at the 1957 NASCAR daytona beach race. the article is not correct as we qualified 12th but burned a piston in the race and replaced the piston over at smokeys so we could drive the car back to Pa.

CLEM,
YOU JUST HAD TOO MUCH FUN. How neat to be there with SMOKEY and all.

[Mike M.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

my 57 210 250 hp 3 speed has a 4520.it was the 6886th 210 produced in atlanta . the broach marks are to kill for. gary pronesti and another 57 pass fi expert(whose name i can't recall as he isn't into ncrs) both felt that my chevy built in may could well have come with a 4520(which was in the trunk of the car when i bought it in the 80"s.) i don't believe any 57 pass fi's came with a 4360. there have been many restored 57 pass cars with FI that i've inspected in the last 30 years that obviously didn't leave the assembly line with a MR Rochester on top its engine. regards, mike

[Tom D.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Was that green Bel Air by chance a four door HT? Thanks.

EDIT: Found my answer here, see http://www.canepa.com/inventory/collect/2821.html

[John S.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Thanks, but I think since the block is not a Corvette block, I should probably pass on this one and keep looking. I appreciate the info, I need to learn more about FI Corvettes and you guys are the experts.

if this engine is complete with correct distribuor, heads, fuel unit, etc. i would seriously consider purchasing it. you might never find a correct 57 corvette block with a early enough date.

[James G.]

Re: Looking at Bucket List '57

Was that green Bel Air by chance a four door HT? Thanks.

EDIT: Found my answer here, see http://www.canepa.com/inventory/collect/2821.html

Hi TOM, CANAPA SAYS,

THE CAR WAS FROM JOE HURDKA 1955-57 COLLECTION, FOUNDER OF MR. GASKET, CLEVLAND, OHIO

Mr. Gasket company, Joe Hrudka of Cleveland Ohio. Mr. Hrudka had an extensive ‘57 Chevy collection and this particular car was one of it’s crown jewels. During his ownership, the engine compartment wa
I remember Joe's collection in PALM SPRINGS. In 2000, I lived there for a short time and Joe's son was selling his Dad's collection of cars and parts that had been in a warehouse building there for many years. This car was just perfect, and the paperwork was impectable. Jack Murray and I inspected the collection for two clients.

Joe also had a Black / black, 1969 ElCamino L-89, that is an alluminum head 396/375hp engine, 4 speed car with 23335 original miles. Chevrolet made 400 L-89 Chevelles, and probable 25 or so in an El Camino. Jack and I were shocked to discover that car was still in Bill Stephenson's name from Florida. Bill is one of our best friends for years, and neither of us knew he ever owned such a car. Bill bought the car at Don Allen Chevrolet, Miami and sold it to Joe in 1970-71. Bill is an old NCRS Cape Cod and later Michigan guy who did the Corvette Tee shirts at Bloomington with his wife Jan for years. Many of you probably know Bill and Jan.

Hurdka had tons of original NOS interior yardage factory rolls for 55-57 Chevy's. It was a time capsule collection of neat cars and stuff, and once again we discoved that day how small the car collecting world can be.