Performance Review: Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible - [1957]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Corvette Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible is the 3 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1957. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1957 Mercedes 300 SL II Roadster W198 and the 1957 Aston-Martin 2/4 MK III Special.This particular Chevrolet Corvette has a 4639cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Corvette shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Corvette's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1350 kgs (2976 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Corvette shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4639cc 16V V8 engine produces 283 bhp (211 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 290 lb-ft (393.1 Nm) @ 4400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet Corvette you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1983 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo (234.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Chevrolet Corvette has a Power to weight ratio of 209.6 bhp per ton and 214.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1957 Corvette competing with the 1983 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Turbo (234.6 bhp per ton) or the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (234.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet Corvette generating around 214.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2008 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 (239.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (239.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs). This Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corvette and the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Corvette on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.78 secs @ 99.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (13.72 secs), the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (13.72 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup (13.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1957 version of the Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible has a maximum speed of 133mph.

Top Speed of the 1957 Corvette equals the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette C1 283 Convertible then how about the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph), the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (144 mph), or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (144 mph).

Related Links:

1957 Corvette Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison