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1957 Chevy L-150 from Hwy 61
By
Oct 24, 2006 - 2:45:08 PM

  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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