1957 "Airbox" Corvette - What is it?
 

I came across this article tonight and have never heard the "airbox" term. Can anyone fill me in on what it is?

Thanks,

Keith

----------------

http://www.journal-news.com/hp/conte...orvettea1.html


Sunday, December 16, 2007

Three years ago, Bill Connell and Joel Lauman made a remarkable discovery inside a hog farmer's barn in rural Trenton that they likened to "finding a Picasso in your attic."

What they found rusting inside that old barn was an extremely rare piece of American automobile history — a 1957 Chevrolet "Airbox" Corvette.

Fewer than 50 of these racing-model cars were produced by Chevrolet and fewer than half of them are known to exist today. But even more surprising, the "Airbox" car Connell and Lauman found was the prototype, or "pilot car," used to produce all of the subsequent Corvettes in that 1957 line.

That meant the car had unique parts that wouldn't be found on any of the other "Airbox" Corvettes, making it truly one of a kind.

"This car is so rare that even the most-dedicated Corvette hobbyists have never seen anything like it," Connell said.

"The probability of us finding a car like this is unbelievable," said Lauman, 66, of Colerain Twp. "I wouldn't equate it to finding the Holy Grail, but it is kind of like that in an automobile sense."

DZAuto has a super rare (1 of 1) 1956 Airbox! :cool:

Do a search.

Tom:

Thanks for bringing me up to speed on the "airbox" function and the photos were awesome. Thanks!

Keith

I dn't think you mentioned the "other" famous name for this wonder car....a 579E.....from the rpo option number, rpo579E. I think someday there will be more than 43 in existance.....thanks to an excellent knowledge base, an existance of brake parts, other necessary parts, and repro air boxes and brake ducts!!! The "forgotten" rare 57 is the rpo684...the heavy duty brake option with the 270 horse 2X4 car...there were ony an estimated 8 of these made. Very cool looking with the 2X4's, brake ducts under hood, wide wheels, etc. Wish I had either one!!!

YOU CERTAINLY KNOW YOUR EARLY CORVETTES!!:flag: :thumbs:

Cool pics, Tom. I thought I saw in Ken Kayser's book that there was an airbox built with the 250 hp engine? I'd look it up, but I loaned out my copy.

DZ- Thanks for the information! I for one now know the "airbox" story. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. :cheers:

Keith and Tom, thanks for posting this info. This is a facinating thread, and great to read.

It makes you want to go and pick up Ken's book for sure. :thumbs:

Rob

3 or 4 years ago at the NCRS Florida Regional someone brought out a real deal, really rough 57 airbox car. I wonder if that was the "barn find" that is mentioned in the article.

BL

I am one of the lucky guys that gets to judge that very car (57 airbox) next month at our indoor mini meet in Dayton Ohio.

I will get as many as I can and let you know. Brakes might be hard to get. Email me a specific list.

Not the same car. However your car has been restored and was also in the Bloomington Gold Special this year. The car was raced by Bob Monat and was probably the most raced 57 in the 57-67 time frame. The car was restored by Legendary Motorcar Company and the restoration was a feature the past year on Speedvision Dream Car Garage. It is owned by the Hussey Brothers and may be at the Amelia Island Concour in March. Both cars have had great restorations and the owners are having a great time with the cars.
Regards

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.
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/image...t/121707_5.jpg


The 1957 Airbox Corvette featured finned brakes that facilitated cooling to prevent overheating during racing.
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/image...t/121707_8.jpg


Special duct work on the 1957 Corvette "4007" allowed ambient air from the car's airbox to cool its brakes.
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/image...t/121707_9.jpg


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.
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/image.../121707_10.jpg


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.
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/image.../121707_11.jpg


Restoration Complete
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/image...t/121707_7.jpg


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. :cheers:

Keith

Being on a dialup it takes me awhile to post. These were taken at Bloomington this year. Car was not completey done but they were gracious enough to bring it. I think they had painted the day before it got there.

http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/57_1.jpg
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/57_2.jpg
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/57_3.jpg
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/57_4.jpg
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/57_5.jpg
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/57_6.jpg
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/57_7.jpg
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/57_8.jpg
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/57_9.jpg
and my favorite.
http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/misc/57_10.jpg

Tyler

It looks like it also has a soft top (deck lid latches). I'm surprised a racer would have the soft top.

Weight?:lurk:

What better way to loose extra pounds. On a C2 you can remove about 40# by removing the soft top. Just four bolts.:thumbs:

Tach Fairing
 

Tom this car had a metal tach fairing installed at the factory. Chevrolet droped this and several other items on later airbox cars.
Regards

Thank you guys for the good thread. Always a pleasure to learn something new about corvette history. Plus it reminds be to pay a visit to the old timer down the road with a 57 in his garage that hasn't moved in 30 plus years. Maybe this time he will sell it :rofl:
:cool:

That's not the way it works. I may doing interior which means I will not be judging the rest of the car. I can take any pics I want though.

As I said the car was NOT completely done but since the theme was 57's and it was a special car they brought it. I expected some one else to post some pictures taken there as there were a LOT of people who saw it. Bloomington may have a lot of fluff about it but Bill Locke gets special cars and this year was one of those. Unfortunatly this next year (Celebrating L88s) will be the last year of a special collection since it brings in no revenue.

Tyler

Soft Top
 

There were a number of these race option 57s ordered with both tops. The car was bought new picked up at the factory by a Chevrolet dealer and his intent was to race the car in 57 and then sell it. A two top car might have been easier to sell. The car I have is similar ie two tops and it was a sold unit probably before it ran its last two races (Watkins Glen and Bridgehamton). I believe the sales invoice called for Rosenthal Chevrolet to fix cracks. I dont believe the soft top ever made it back into the car.
Regards

Metal fairing
 

There may only be one of these fairings to start with. I think that Joel and Bill may have had it in the junk pile until Ken Kayser told them that it belonged on the car.
Regards

Spring clamps with bolt and spacer
 

Please note the bolts and spacers through the clamps on the RPO684 five leaf springs. This was only on the early cars. On the later cars the clamps were folded over and the bolts and spacers were gone.


Regards

in the film clip showing the car pulling out of a building; it appears the fairing is not there. just a quick glimpse, you see the silver outer tach head.

Mistake. The fairing was vinyl. The owners have pictures when the car was new. The fairing was under the farmers bed when they purchased the car. If you want to talk to one of the owners this evening call.
Bill Connell before 11.00 pm EST 12-18-07
513-281-0678

not disputing it. just don't see it in the film clip.

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.

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

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!!! :thumbs:
Since a picture is worth 1000 words, and if you post 100 pictures, then you won't have to say much! :rofl:[/QUOTE]

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.

Welcome Bill, this place is full of nice and helpful people. Looks like you have a great car there.

Jeff

Do you have a complete reference to this book? I've not heard of it and just did a quick google search and couldn't find it. Thanks.

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.

Bill, thanks for the info, I'll go look it up. Thanks also for your diligence in tracking down 4007. A favor to all of us! How exciting you must have been to get hold of it and to see it emerging from its burial in dust and time. :thumbs:

Lou

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

naaah he's going to restore it some day!:D

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

.....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

...I can understand this as the 579"D" probably stood for "Ducts"...:D

...the 250hp/PG AirBox car is the one I'd want.:thumbs: Probably ONE OF ONE.:cheers:

So was the Chartreuse 77. :D

For those who have an interest in the "airbox" Corvette, I will pass along this picture of two of the most knowledgeable Airbox Experts: Frank Buck on the left and Dick Robinson in the center.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g6...rlisle0001.jpg

Frank Buck had done much research in the eighties and owned more of the cars than I believe anyone else. Dick has restored a significant porton of the "Airbox" population.

Regards.

Jerry,

Do you have more info on your meet? I didn't see anything on the Miami Valley Chapter site or is it not NCRS?

I can see that I need to add Ken's book to my library immediately. Is there any reference in the book to the small number of Chrysler letter cars ('57 or '58) that were produced with the Rochester FI? I have some old manuals that have info on them and have seen a few pictures over the years. I passed on a '57 Pontiac Bonneville FI in 1966. It was on the back row of a Dodge dealer in Auburn IN for $175.00. Too much money and needed too much work.

This is one of the best threads I've read in a long time.

Tom

The following pictures were taken at Bloomington Gold Special Collection 2007. All cars are RPO 684 and most have RPO 579 D(E).

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/JohnNeas/59.jpg
Bill Connell & Joel Lauman - '57 #4007

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/JohnNeas/60.jpg
John Justo (ex Rich & Char Mason) - '57 #5938

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/JohnNeas/61.jpg
Sean, Kevin, & Kent Hussey - '57 #4387

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/JohnNeas/64.jpg
Alvin & Ronnie Steinman - '57 #5305 (RPO 684 only)

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/JohnNeas/65.jpg
Greg & Barbara Heinrich - '57 #5084

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/JohnNeas/66.jpg
Larry J. and Linda Martin - '57 #6023

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/JohnNeas/68.jpg
Irwin Krioz - '57 #5655

I owe John Neas a dinner but being the frugal type maybe this will suffice. John a web site for your car and its friends, will this do?

http://deliquescence.net/~tyler/57_racer/index.html

Tyler

1957 airbox corvette
 

Last week I located a 1957 airbox corvette in South China, Maine in a farmers barn.It has been sitting there for years but appears to be all there.
He's willing to sell it but wants a fair price of which he has no idea and for that fact neither do I.
Anyone Know what the car is worth so I can make him a fair offer? I am buying it to resell so if anyone is also a buyer let me know.
All I need to do to get the car is come up with what the farmer feels is a fair offer. Again,It needs complete restoration but it appears to be all there.

thank you , Chris.... twinsrule2@verizon.net

Well.................................cou lda,......... woulda,........ certainly shoulda. I had an opportunity to buy this car back in the early 80's from a guy who worked at a Chevy dealership in Missouri ............for $10K. It was painted yellow at the time and had made its way from California to Montana to Missouri. Car was very rough and considered a basket case. So, fortunately (yeah, right!!) my wife "convinced me" to not buy this one that needed so much work. I did a bit of research on the car and have some pics of it in its yellow attire at the time. I think it was sold to Frank Buck who had it restored and it was then for sale in Hemmings for $85K. I still have the ad somewhere.

Rex

How about providing some pictures of the car and, while you are at it, filling out your profile so we can get to know you better?

Jim

What is that chrome object laying flat to the left of the gear shift lever ??
Never seen one of those..

I'm gonna make a WAG here, and probably about 180* out, but it looks like it could be a plate clamped to the left side of the shifter surround to function as a reverse lockout. If so, it wouldn't let you inadvertantly move the shifter over to go into reverse.

How'd I do? :D

+1
:withstupid:

:rolleyes:

Someone pulling our collective chain?

I think someone is trying (unsuccessfully) to. :toetap:

Jim

I just found out my Cousin's fiancé has 2 1957 Corvettes in her garage that haven't moved in years. I am dying to see them. Her dad raced them so they might actually be Airbox vettes. I think both had the hardtop option with them. I am trying to get a look at them but she is reluctant. She says they are covered with junk. I think she is too embarrassed to show me the inside of the garage.




So the story as I know it is her dad bought them new and raced. He passed away many years ago and technically belong to her mom who she lives with. These ladies are of meager means and they both state they are cherished and wont be sold. Hell I just want to look at them. two 57 Vettes in a garage for many years. Hell yes I want to see them. The really sad thing is she is on dialysis and waiting for a kidney. Oh how I want to see those 2 cars.

I suppose that prospect is worth re-animating an eight year old thread, just so long as caboman doesn't pull a fast one and never revisit the CF again!

I will be around. I won't rest until I see those 2 57 vettes. I will report back once I do.

Soooooooooooo, with all this discussion, what about cloned airbox/FI/HD brake cars? Are there any-----------------besides mine?

Dom
Acquisitions & Historical Research
Racing Preservation Museum "-Preserving the memory of those On the track, In the pits & Behind the scenes-"
301.706.4855
rpm57scca@aol.com

Bill Rhodes from Concord NC restored an AIRBOX car in the mid - late 70's... he found the car in Florida in 74. He is a wealth of knowledge in regards to these cars.
I was up at his place a few years ago, so he is still around though he is not into Corvettes any longer. He has restored some Ferrari's for Pebble and raced Porsche's in the ensuing years but now he is into FLAT HEAD FORD V-8's, UGH... oh well, maybe since Zora played with them (ARDUN HEADS) I will give him a pass.
.

There are some color photos on REV's institute site of an EARLY airbox car. From the photos it looks like the airbox may be raw fiberglass..

https://library.revsinstitute.org/di...on=p17257coll1


From 56...
Windsor Air Field Bahamas 12-3-56.
https://library.revsinstitute.org/di...on=p17257coll1

https://library.revsinstitute.org/di...on=p17257coll1

2-22-56 Daytona.
https://library.revsinstitute.org/di...on=p17257coll1


https://library.revsinstitute.org/di...on=p17257coll1

Here's a measly little z06 I pulled out the Rockies a few years back...
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...8b3997ac2c.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...29a8baf6de.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...66ed6eef8c.jpg

FWIW REVS Institute has an enormous amount of vintage racing photos... just go into the search and put corvette and a year...