The earliest known Airbox Corvette

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1957 Chevrolet Corvette by J.A. Ackley
Dec 12, 2025

This Corvette carries the RPO 579D Airbox option, which mounted an airbox on the driver’s side that fed air directly into the fuel-injection unit. Only 43 Corvettes came equipped with the feature, and this is believed to be the first to roll off the line with one.



Chevrolet built the 1957 Airbox Corvettes as the first Corvette race cars for privateers. This example also came with RPO 684, which included special front and rear springs and shocks, a heavier front stabilizer bar, a quick steering adapter, metallic brake facings, finned drum brakes and fresh air ducting to the brakes.



This car is also among the first Corvettes to have a four-speed manual. Bill Howe raced the Corvette as a privateer from 1957 to 1958. More recently, it’s underwent an extensive restoration.



Find this 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Big Brake Airbox for auction at Mecum.