1957 "Airbox" Corvette - What is it?
#21
Melting Slicks
Tyler
#22
Soft Top
Regards
Last edited by john neas; 12-18-2007 at 05:23 PM. Reason: Regards
#23
Metal fairing
John,
I read about this in Ken's book, and was somewhat unclear as to just what he was talking about (I can't find the page right now, but I'll keep looking until I find the page). Now it is a little more clear.
I wonder just how many of these metal fairings exist today?????
WE NEED MORE PICTURES OF THIS FAIRING! WHO CAN POST THEM?????
I read about this in Ken's book, and was somewhat unclear as to just what he was talking about (I can't find the page right now, but I'll keep looking until I find the page). Now it is a little more clear.
I wonder just how many of these metal fairings exist today?????
WE NEED MORE PICTURES OF THIS FAIRING! WHO CAN POST THEM?????
Regards
#24
Spring clamps with bolt and spacer
I came across some additional information about this airbox Corvette that started the conversation. Here are some additonal photos with the captions from the story:
Link to Video about the Corvette and its restoration:
http://www.middletownjournal.com/m/mplayer/m/48886
Bill Howe's 1957 Airbox Corvette "4007" was partially disassembled and left in a barn in Butler County until it was purchased in 2005 by car historian Bill Connell and fully restored by restoration expert Joel Lauman.
Special duct work on the 1957 Corvette "4007" allowed ambient air from the car's airbox to cool its brakes.
Corvette historian Ken Kayser spent two days in 2005 verifying the car purchased by Bill Connell and Joel Lauman was not only an authentic 1957 Airbox, but was the pilot car of the 43 that were manufactured that year.
The airbox on the 43 Airbox Corvettes that Chevorlet made in 1957 is one of the aspects that makes the car unique. The parts work together to help keep the engine and brakes from overheating. This picture shows the airbox before restoration.
Restoration Complete
Additionally, I used the information gleaned from this thread on a post about the 1957 airbox Corvette on my Corvette Blog. I'd especially like to thank DZAUTO again for his background information on the airbox option.
Keith
Link to Video about the Corvette and its restoration:
http://www.middletownjournal.com/m/mplayer/m/48886
Bill Howe's 1957 Airbox Corvette "4007" was partially disassembled and left in a barn in Butler County until it was purchased in 2005 by car historian Bill Connell and fully restored by restoration expert Joel Lauman.
Special duct work on the 1957 Corvette "4007" allowed ambient air from the car's airbox to cool its brakes.
Corvette historian Ken Kayser spent two days in 2005 verifying the car purchased by Bill Connell and Joel Lauman was not only an authentic 1957 Airbox, but was the pilot car of the 43 that were manufactured that year.
The airbox on the 43 Airbox Corvettes that Chevorlet made in 1957 is one of the aspects that makes the car unique. The parts work together to help keep the engine and brakes from overheating. This picture shows the airbox before restoration.
Restoration Complete
Additionally, I used the information gleaned from this thread on a post about the 1957 airbox Corvette on my Corvette Blog. I'd especially like to thank DZAUTO again for his background information on the airbox option.
Keith
Regards
Last edited by john neas; 12-18-2007 at 05:43 PM. Reason: delete sentence
#26
Bill Connell before 11.00 pm EST 12-18-07
513-281-0678
#27
not disputing it. just don't see it in the film clip.
#28
soft top on airbox
Bill Howe took delivery of the car with the soft top, courtesy light and whitewall tires, which are clearly shown in period photographs of the car being delivered at the factory on 5/16/57 The "frills" however were removed prior to the car's first race at the Cumberland National SCCA event on 5/19/57. Bill was a Chevrolet dealer, and ordered the frills to make the car easier to sell off his lot at the end of the race season.
#29
airbox tach fairing
Given Ken Kayser's belief that the 4007 car was the pilot for subsequent RPO 579D production, he believes the fairing was a "one off" out of GM Engineering (as are other parts on the car), and was simply discarded from later production cars for cost and line effeciency reasons. He identified similar fairings on various race and show cars built in the Engineering shop. We have period photos of the fairing on the car at time of delivery, during later races, and at the time the car was removed from the barn over forty years later
John,
I read about this in Ken's book, and was somewhat unclear as to just what he was talking about (I can't find the page right now, but I'll keep looking until I find the page). Now it is a little more clear.
I wonder just how many of these metal fairings exist today?????
WE NEED MORE PICTURES OF THIS FAIRING! WHO CAN POST THEM?????
I read about this in Ken's book, and was somewhat unclear as to just what he was talking about (I can't find the page right now, but I'll keep looking until I find the page). Now it is a little more clear.
I wonder just how many of these metal fairings exist today?????
WE NEED MORE PICTURES OF THIS FAIRING! WHO CAN POST THEM?????
#30
pictures
[Tom,
Being a bit of a techniphobe, this is my first venture into a chat room. Indeed, I really didn't know what a chat room was until John Neas called me Sunday morning to tell me that 4007 was a popular subject of discussion! John was then kind enough to take me by the hand and lead me through the process of finding you guys.
Now,as to pictures, I don't have a clue as to how one goes about putting photographs on a computer. There are however a ton of pictures of the car already circulating from Bloomngton and Carlisle, not to mention last Sundays' news story.We are hopeful that we can finish the car within the coming year,and look forward to the time when everybody can see it in real life.
QUOTE=DZAUTO;1563235599]Hey Bill,
Great to see you here!!!!
Now, on with the details about 4007!
Oh ya----------------AND MORE PICTURES!!!
Since a picture is worth 1000 words, and if you post 100 pictures, then you won't have to say much! [/QUOTE]
Being a bit of a techniphobe, this is my first venture into a chat room. Indeed, I really didn't know what a chat room was until John Neas called me Sunday morning to tell me that 4007 was a popular subject of discussion! John was then kind enough to take me by the hand and lead me through the process of finding you guys.
Now,as to pictures, I don't have a clue as to how one goes about putting photographs on a computer. There are however a ton of pictures of the car already circulating from Bloomngton and Carlisle, not to mention last Sundays' news story.We are hopeful that we can finish the car within the coming year,and look forward to the time when everybody can see it in real life.
QUOTE=DZAUTO;1563235599]Hey Bill,
Great to see you here!!!!
Now, on with the details about 4007!
Oh ya----------------AND MORE PICTURES!!!
Since a picture is worth 1000 words, and if you post 100 pictures, then you won't have to say much! [/QUOTE]
#31
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I fully understanding EXACTLY what you mean by posting pictures. When I first started trying----------------AND I MEAN TRYING------------------to post pictures, I became very frustrated! But, finally, after a while, I got it figured out and now I can post pictures with no difficulty.
#32
Tech Contributor
#33
Race Director
#34
Kayser book
Louie,
To see the Kayser book, go to
tachometerpress.com. Their web page shows a table of contents, and provides order forms for both the soft cover and the hard cover----but somebody told me the hardcover limited edtion is sold out.
To see the Kayser book, go to
tachometerpress.com. Their web page shows a table of contents, and provides order forms for both the soft cover and the hard cover----but somebody told me the hardcover limited edtion is sold out.
#35
Race Director
Lou
#36
tach fairing
tom,
I don't know how to post photos yet, but if you would like a picture of the fairing, I'd be happy to mail you one. Just e-mail me your postal address, and I'll send you one. My e-mail address is wbconnell@cinci.rr.com. You can also feel free to call me at (513) 281-0678.
Bill
I don't know how to post photos yet, but if you would like a picture of the fairing, I'd be happy to mail you one. Just e-mail me your postal address, and I'll send you one. My e-mail address is wbconnell@cinci.rr.com. You can also feel free to call me at (513) 281-0678.
Bill
John,
I read about this in Ken's book, and was somewhat unclear as to just what he was talking about (I can't find the page right now, but I'll keep looking until I find the page). Now it is a little more clear.
I wonder just how many of these metal fairings exist today?????
WE NEED MORE PICTURES OF THIS FAIRING! WHO CAN POST THEM?????
I read about this in Ken's book, and was somewhat unclear as to just what he was talking about (I can't find the page right now, but I'll keep looking until I find the page). Now it is a little more clear.
I wonder just how many of these metal fairings exist today?????
WE NEED MORE PICTURES OF THIS FAIRING! WHO CAN POST THEM?????
#38
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Airbox cars, or 579E's (or, 579D's??) have always fascinated me. I remember many years ago when one appeared, in full-restored form at Cypress Gardens (mid-1080's???). This was the first one to be seen restored. I don't remember who owned it, but I do remember he actually had two of them. The first restored car got a top-flight and was later sold. It was white with a red interior with silver coves. I also believe it was on a cover of "Vettevues." I also remember a very late 1957 that appeared for sale in the late 1980's in California, Missouri. It was a 270 horse car with the RPO 684 brake option. This guy couldn't commit to sell it.....first he wanted to sell, then later he wouldn't. I tried to buy it for years and the got tired of calling him (nagging him...). Later, I heard he had either sold it or traded it for a mid-year big block.
This thread is bring back to life my interests in these "airbox" cars. I consider these to be the first REAL public attempt to enter the racing scene by Chevrolet...thus the first real racing Corvettes.
I am wondering about the information about airboxes being installed on "other" Corvettes. As I understand it, the airbox cars were built without the metal reinforcements in the rocker panel areas. These metal reinforcements appeared in mid-1957 and appeared before airbox cars were built. These were eliminated for the RPO 684 option, which appeared on all 43 airbox cars. The RPO 684 option appeared earlier in the production year, before the reinforcements were in place. I am just wondering this; is there the possibility of a 1957 existing with the airbox but without the RPO 684 brake and suspension option??? I know the official airbox offering was the fuel injected motor, heavy duty brakes/suspension, radio and heater delete. It would be fascinating to know if there is an airbox car without the heavy duty brakes and suspension (and body modifications), and only having the airbox as a body modification.
Further, there is a registry for corvette race cars......fascinating reading...and sheds more light on this topic...
http://registryofcorvetteracecars.com/ee/index.php
This thread is bring back to life my interests in these "airbox" cars. I consider these to be the first REAL public attempt to enter the racing scene by Chevrolet...thus the first real racing Corvettes.
I am wondering about the information about airboxes being installed on "other" Corvettes. As I understand it, the airbox cars were built without the metal reinforcements in the rocker panel areas. These metal reinforcements appeared in mid-1957 and appeared before airbox cars were built. These were eliminated for the RPO 684 option, which appeared on all 43 airbox cars. The RPO 684 option appeared earlier in the production year, before the reinforcements were in place. I am just wondering this; is there the possibility of a 1957 existing with the airbox but without the RPO 684 brake and suspension option??? I know the official airbox offering was the fuel injected motor, heavy duty brakes/suspension, radio and heater delete. It would be fascinating to know if there is an airbox car without the heavy duty brakes and suspension (and body modifications), and only having the airbox as a body modification.
Further, there is a registry for corvette race cars......fascinating reading...and sheds more light on this topic...
http://registryofcorvetteracecars.com/ee/index.php
#39
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.....for those of you who don't want to read through my previous long-winded pondering....look at this registry link...
http://registryofcorvetteracecars.com/ee/index.php
http://registryofcorvetteracecars.com/ee/index.php
#40
Race Director
...the 250hp/PG AirBox car is the one I'd want. Probably ONE OF ONE.