Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car - NCRS Discussion Boards

Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

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  • Bob B.
    Very Frequent User
    • March 1, 2003
    • 831

    Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

    Hi all,

    I am deciding between restoring Lil Twister as a drag race car or as an NCRS Flight car. My preference would be as Lil Twister IF I can find any documentation on it. Another issue is that there is basically nothing by way of frame modifications, such as a roll bar support or straight front axle, to indicate that it actually raced. So, maybe this car was a drag car project that never was completed?

    The writing on the sides of the car give some hints. BM/SP was in it's heyday from 1961-66. It appears that the number 96 was issued by some racing authority? Headers by Cyclone could have been put on for fun or maybe Cyclone was a sponsor? The 327 CU. on the fender in the pic reads 327 CU. 350 H.P. on the other side.

    The CHEVELAND could be a family name, or a play on Chevrolet and Cleveland? Since the 70s-early 80s, the car was in Michigan and may have been owned by someone at MSU in the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity (TKE sticker is on the windshield not on in the pic). It is rumored to have been in Ohio before that.

    The second to last owner (who started stripping the paint) died about 10 years ago. I'm currently waiting on a friend of his who is looking for the name of another friend, who may know more about the history.

    So, in the meantime, any suggestions as to where I can go from here to find more info on a possible race history?

    Thanks,

    Bob
    Attached Files
  • Tom B.
    Very Frequent User
    • March 1, 1978
    • 720

    #2
    Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

    Interesting car. Good luck on your search for it's race history. That is how I'd like to see it restored.

    Tom

    Comment

    • Dan A.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • May 31, 1974
      • 1074

      #3
      Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

      I had saved these two pictures back on April 14, 2009. Only info is "found in Michigan". Were they your pictures? What is the VIN?
      Attached Files

      Comment

      • Bob B.
        Very Frequent User
        • March 1, 2003
        • 831

        #4
        Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

        Daniel,

        The guy I got it from took those pics when he got the car. He wasn't able to find any history, but couldn't bring himself to get rid of the vintage race art on the car, so it sat untouched until I bought it. I'm giving it another shot just in case. The VIN is 4403.

        Thanks,

        Bob

        Comment

        • Loren L.
          Extremely Frequent Poster
          • April 30, 1976
          • 4104

          #5
          Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

          The National offices of TKE should be able to tell you the names of those who became members at the MSU chapter during 1960-65. They may be legally prevented from providing you with that information, but perhaps you could come up with a mailing request for information/questions that TKE could do for you for $x. Might also be some sort of on-campus office that was required to keep such a listing also, so try MSU.Did MSU issue student parking decals back then and if so, did the car have one? Good luck.

          Comment

          • Bruce B.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • May 31, 1996
            • 2930

            #6
            Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

            Try contacting Ken Kayser, I think he might have some info on this car.

            Definitely restore it to it's race condition.

            Comment

            • Rick G.
              Very Frequent User
              • March 1, 1983
              • 270

              #7
              Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

              Bob,Neat car! I vote for restoraton in it's race form. I hope you are able to find the history.Best regards,Rick Gower

              Comment

              • Joseph T.
                Expired
                • April 30, 1976
                • 2074

                #8
                Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

                Loren..are you a TKE?

                Comment

                • Loren L.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • April 30, 1976
                  • 4104

                  #9
                  Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

                  Joe, I suppose the proper response is I WAS, because it happened so long ago. Spring 60, Alpha Sigma chapter (UND - "Fighting Sioux") which is now defunct. If I had to guess for $1M, I think I was #428.

                  Comment

                  • Joseph T.
                    Expired
                    • April 30, 1976
                    • 2074

                    #10
                    Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

                    Originally posted by Loren Lundberg (912)
                    Joe, I suppose the proper response is I WAS, because it happened so long ago. Spring 60, Alpha Sigma chapter (UND - "Fighting Sioux") which is now defunct. If I had to guess for $1M, I think I was #428.

                    Me too...1971

                    YITB..BX 561

                    Comment

                    • Bob B.
                      Very Frequent User
                      • March 1, 2003
                      • 831

                      #11
                      Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

                      Originally posted by Loren Lundberg (912)
                      Joe, I suppose the proper response is I WAS, because it happened so long ago. Spring 60, Alpha Sigma chapter (UND - "Fighting Sioux") which is now defunct. If I had to guess for $1M, I think I was #428.
                      Loren & Joe,

                      Here is a pic of what's left of the TKE sticker. I hadn't noticed the Pi Alpha on the banner. Is that something on all the stickers or is that specific to a Pi Alpha chapter or something? If so, that would focus it directly to a school. I looked up MSU and they didn't have a chapter till 1986!

                      Bob
                      Attached Files

                      Comment

                      • Loren L.
                        Extremely Frequent Poster
                        • April 30, 1976
                        • 4104

                        #12
                        Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

                        Yes, that would focus on one chapter. I have no idea which one but Google will be your friend. Good luck.

                        Comment

                        • Bob B.
                          Very Frequent User
                          • March 1, 2003
                          • 831

                          #13
                          Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

                          Bruce,


                          Ken actually was at some sort of swap meet and had look through a list of Corvette documentation and there was VIN 4403. When he asked to see it, the guy looked and it had apparently gotten stuck to someone's fingers!


                          The car was originally non-radio based on no hole or repair in the rear left fender and the shadow of the block off plate on the dash.


                          Thanks,


                          Bob
                          Attached Files

                          Comment

                          • Bob B.
                            Very Frequent User
                            • March 1, 2003
                            • 831

                            #14
                            Re: Info Needed on '57 Corvette Drag Car

                            Originally posted by Loren Lundberg (912)
                            Yes, that would focus on one chapter. I have no idea which one but Google will be your friend. Good luck.
                            Loren,

                            I contacted the Pi-Alpha chapter of TKE and, as I thought may be the case, Pi-Alpha is on all of the stickers! So my search continues.

                            Thanks,

                            Bob

                            Comment

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