1957 Corvette FI
On Loan Courtesy of Michael Moss
In the annals of American automotive history, few vehicles hold as iconic a place as the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette, particularly the groundbreaking "Fuelie" variant. This was not just another Corvette—it was a bold declaration of technological ambition, signaling a seismic shift in the performance capabilities of American sports cars.
The term "Fuelie" refers to a Corvette equipped with Rochester Ramjet mechanical fuel injection, a marvel of mid-century engineering that allowed Chevrolet to extract a then-unprecedented 283 horsepower from a 283-cubic-inch V8 engine. This made the 1957 "Fuelie" Corvette the first mass-produced American car to achieve the magical benchmark of one horsepower per cubic inch—a feat that was both a marketing triumph and an engineering landmark.
Fuel injection in 1957 was a rare and cutting-edge feature, typically reserved for race cars or high-end European marques. Chevrolet's decision to make it available on the Corvette was a bold and visionary move. It marked the Corvette's transformation from a stylish cruiser into a serious performance machine capable of competing with the best in the world.
Visually, the '57 Corvette retained the sleek, curvaceous fiberglass body that had already made it a standout since its introduction in 1953, but the performance upgrades gave it a new reputation. With options that included a four-speed manual transmission and a heavy-duty suspension, the "Fuelie" was not just fast—it handled well and felt purpose-built for enthusiasts and racers alike.
Only 1,040 fuel-injected Corvettes were produced in 1957, making them highly desirable among collectors today. Their rarity, combined with their historical significance and raw performance, has cemented their status as crown jewels of the classic American muscle car era.
The 1957 Corvette "Fuelie" wasn’t just a car; it was a turning point. It proved that American automakers could build machines that didn't just look fast—they were fast. And with it, Chevrolet laid the foundation for decades of Corvette innovation, securing its place as "America’s Sports Car."
From Left to right - The Zora Team: Schorr, Cutrone, Moss, Kayser
TEAM ZORA USA: 1957 FI CORVETTE
Words: Martyn L. Schorr
A 1957 Corvette Fuelie, the Spirit of Zora owned and driven by Michael Moss, will compete in the Brescia-Rome-Brescia 1000 Miglia (Mille Miglia “Storica”) in Italy in June 2026. Powered by a 283-cubic-inch, 283-horsepower small-block V-8 engine fitted with Rochester Fuel Injection, its entry has been approved in the Guest Listcategory for all 1000 Miglia events. Approval of 1953-1957 Corvettes is based on the cars’ historical/sporting characteristics and “historical continuity” even though early Corvettes did not compete in the original Mille Miglia. Team Zora USA’s Corvette is equipped with key performance options (RPOs) available to the public when it was built. RM Motorsports, Wixom, MI. has prepared it for racing and participation in competitive endurance events.
The original Mille Miglia was established in 1927 as a speed/endurance race on public roads between Rome and Brescia, Italy. Dubbed the “World’s Most Beautiful Road Race” and the “World’s Unique Traveling Museum” by Enzo Ferrari, it was also one of the world’s most dangerous road races. In 1957, the tragic crash and death of Scuderia Ferrari driver Alfonso de Portago, co-driver Edmund Nelson and nine spectators outraged the public, ending the Mille Miglia. The 1957 race figured prominently in Michael Mann’s 2023 Enzo Ferrari biopic, FERRARI.
Today, the 1000 Miglia or Mille Miglia ‘Storica’ is a regularity race for historic cars. Only cars built before December 31, 1957 and related to a car that competed in at least one Mille Miglia from 1927 to 1957, are eligible for entry. However, specific cars due to their historical/sports characteristics are eligible to participate in 1000 Miglia events in the Guest List category. The 1953-1957 Corvette and 1955-1957 Ford Thunderbirds have been approved.
Mike Moss, an Historic road racer conceived Team Zora USA with friend and teammate, Martyn Schorr - author, founding editor of VETTE Magazine, and a friend of Zora Arkus-Duntov during the 1960s-1970s. Its mission: Competing in the Mille Miglia and paying tribute to Duntov, the Godfather of the Corvette. The Spirit of Zora 1957 FI Corvette has been issued a FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens) ID Card, issued for historically-correct vehicles competing in international events like those sanctioned by 1000 MIGLIA S.R.L. in Italy.
Moss has been competing in HSR & SVRA Historic road racing for years, driving a variety of vehicles, from a B/SP Corvette Sting Ray to a Lola T70 Mark IIIB (432 cubic-inch Dart/Chevy) and the ex-Peter Revson Can-Am Lola T163 (513 cubic-inch fuel-injected Dart aluminum engine). He also owns and races a trio of important, vintage Indy 500 racecars. Two are powered by Ford quad-cam V-8s: 1966 Gerhardt 66, naturally-aspirated Ford, driven by Gordon Johncock and a 1969 Dan Gurney Santa Ana Eagle, turbocharged Ford, driven by Denny Hulme and Swede Savage. A turbocharged Offy powers the third, a 1969 Mongoose driven by Bill Vukovich.
RM Motorsports, Wixom, MI and Roush Competition Engines, Livonia, MI support his racing efforts.
In 1957, the Corvette was the first production Corvette powered by an engine producing one-horsepower-per-cubic-inch displacement and available with optional Rochester Ramjet Fuel Injection engines, four-speed transmission and Positraction rear axles. It is also respected worldwide as one of the most significant performance models in the Corvette’s more than seven-decade history!
“The 1957 Fuel Injection Corvette reinforced Chevrolet’s high-performance image and shaped the future of the Corvette as America’s Sports Car. Fuel-injected 1957-1962 Corvettes dominated SCCA B/Production racing for years,” said Kenneth Kayser, retired GM and Chevrolet engineer, and TEAM ZORA USA Corvette Racing Historian.
“On May 19th, 1957, three 1957 Fuel Injection ‘customer’ racecars driven by Dr. Dick Thompson, Carroll Shelby and Bill Howe Jr., finished First, Second and Third, respectively, at the SCCA Regional at Cumberland, MD. One week later at the SCCA Nationals at Elkhart Lake, WI, four B/Production Corvettes, led by Jim Jeffords, finished 1-2-3-4! Dick Thompson and his Fuel Injection 1957 Corvette would win SCCA’s coveted National Champion honors in 1957,” added Kayser.
Born on Tuesday June 25, 1957 at the Corvette plant in St. Louis, MO, the Spirit of Zora Corvette was painted Venetian Red with Shoreline Beige coves, dashboard and interior trim, fitted with red upholstery, and powered by the highest performance engine available in 1957. Prior to mechanical and race-prep by Tony Pardo and his team at RM Motorsports, Corvette specialist, Bo Martin, Martin Autobody, Bradenton, FL detailed and buffed out the Venetian Red paint, and painted the coves and interior panels (Shoreline Beige), which had been incorrectly resprayed silver years ago.
SPIRIT OF ZORA 1957 CORVETTE TECH SPECS
Engine: RPO-579C 283-CID, 283-HP V-8
Induction: Rochester Ramjet Fuel-Injection
Air Cleaner: 1957 “Sebring” dual filter-element
Cylinder Heads: “539”
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Camshaft: Duntov “097” Solid-Lifter .393/.399-inch-lift, 287/287-degree-duration, lightweight valve train.
Crankshaft & Rods: Forged Steel
Transmission: RPO-685 Borg-Warner Close-Ratio T-10 Four-Speed
Rear End: RPO-677 Positraction 3:70:1
Suspension, Brakes & Steering: RPO-684 HD Racing Components, 16.4:1 Fast Steering
Wheels: RPO-276 15x5.5-inch Wide Steel w/Small Hubcaps
Tires: Dunlop CR65 Vintage Racing, 600L-15 w/#204 compound
Interior: Column-Mounted 8,000-rpm AC Mechanical Tach (RPO-579D engine option), and Radio Delete Block-Off Plate
Team Zora USA and the SPIRIT OF ZORA 1957 FI Corvette celebrate the marque’s legacy of excelling on the world stage of racing for decades. The team’s mission is to honor the legacy of Zora Arkus-Duntov, by competing in historically-significant events, including the 2026 Mille Miglia.