The 1957 Chevy sedan line promised to be brand new with a drastic
redesign from the ’56 model. Chevy introduced an improved and more
rigid frame, a redesigned open grille and massive bumper that combined
form and function, a lower-profile hood, and distinctive fender fins
that became the ’57 trademark.
Of the three sedans available,
the ‘One-Fifty’ was the base utility model, also known as the
‘salesman’s Chevy’ because the back seat had been removed for extra
storage room. Under the hood, Chevy offered the 235 ci “Blue Flame”
6-cylinder, the 265 ci V-8, or the 283 ci Turbo-Fire small block V8.
Coupled
with new Ramjet fuel injection, the 283 achieved the engineering
benchmark of 1 horsepower per 1 cubic inch of engine; Chevy boasted
that “the road isn’t built that can make it breathe hard”. While not as
glamorous as its ‘Two-Ten’ or Bel Air stablemates of 1957, and despite
a very small production run, the 283 ci fuel-injected V8 ‘One-Fifty’ in
the distinctive black-and-white “Black Widow” paint scheme was revered
on the race circuit. Unfortunately, three months into the 1957 race
season, fuel- injected stock cars were banned, due to the advantage
over independent racers.
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