Daily Slideshow: These Air Box Corvettes Are Among the Rarest Ever

Rarest of the Rare?

The Corvette is one of the most iconic vehicles ever produced, bar none. And like many exemplary vehicles, there are plenty of rare and interesting models from virtually every generation worth discussing. And Corvette fans love to do just that, debating which particular car represents the rarest factory-built example in the model's history. But the answer to that age-old question might just be right here in front of us - the elusive "air box" Corvette.

>>Join the conversation about this rare Airbox Corvette right here in Corvette Forum.

Coming of Age

It all started back in 1956 when the Corvette wasn't exactly flying off showroom floors. Things weren't looking good for the fiberglass sports car, but Zora Arkus Duntov and his cohorts weren't about to let it ride off into the sunset. The answer, of course, was performance. Through motorsport, we saw the introduction of both a V8 option and the ever-popular "Fuelie." Only 1,040 283/283 hp Fuelies were built in 1957. But as it turns out, you could opt for an even rarer Corvette that same model year.

>>Join the conversation about this rare Airbox Corvette right here in Corvette Forum.

Distinctive Options

The so-called "Air Box" Corvettes rolled right off the assembly line alongside their more common brethren. Fitted with special pieces that were part of the 579E order code, only 43 such cars were built. Each came with heavy duty brakes, steering, and suspension upgrades, wider wheels, an 8,000 rpm tach bolted to the steering column, and no radio or heater. 

>>Join the conversation about this rare Airbox Corvette right here in Corvette Forum.

Strange Box

And, of course, that strange looking "box" under the hood. This box served a purpose, however, feeding cool air into the fuel injected motor. These air boxes were hand built, and their placement on the driver's side of the engine compartment necessitated the relocation of several other components. In turn, they drew air from an opening near the front grille and through a tube split between the fuel injection unit and a bulkhead below the door heading to the rear wheel well which helped cooled the rear brakes.

>>Join the conversation about this rare Airbox Corvette right here in Corvette Forum.

Simple but Effective

A similar bulkhead took up residence on the passenger side but used a single tube to snag air from the grille area. The passenger side air box system was used solely to cool the brakes, which were one of the first components modified on Air Box Corvette racers. It was a simple, crude, and seemingly last minute modification. But today, it makes these special Corvettes perhaps the rarest factory-built examples ever!

>>Join the conversation about this rare Airbox Corvette right here in Corvette Forum.

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