One of a Kind 1957 Corvette with Rare Latham Axial Supercharger

Chevrolet Corvette 1957 Description

One of a Kind 1957 Corvette with Latham Axial Supercharger
This One of a Kind 1957 Corvette was purchased by Earl Harper in late 1956 at Berger Chevrolet in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Berger Chevrolet is the equivalent of Yenko Chevrolet to the Midwest, known for their high performance cars in the '50s, '60s and '70s.
Earl Harper, the original owner, read about the Latham Axial Supercharger in several magazines, including the October 1956 issue of Motor Trend, the February 1957 issue of Sports Car Illustrated (now Car and Driver since 1961), the June 1957 issue of Sports Car Illustrated, and the July 1957 issue of Custom Rodder. The Latham Axial Supercharger was also the Cover story in the June 1959 issue of Motor Trend magazine. After reading these articles about this crazy, fast Latham axial Supercharger in 1956 and 1957, Earl Harper ordered one in October 1957, and had it flown from West Palm Beach, FL to his home in Grand Rapids, MI via Eastern Airlines.
In November 1957, Earl Harper took his 1957 Corvette to Berger Chevrolet, and had them install the Latham Axial Supercharger, then modify the hood to fit the Supercharger without having a hole through the hood. This was the fastest car in all of west Michigan for many years, putting out an estimated 410 horsepower.
In the early 1970's, Earl Harper took out the original 1957 Corvette 283CI motor, set it aside in his garage, and put in a 1967 Corvette motor to increase the HorsePower to an estimated 600+. The original motor sat in his garage, until the car was discovered again in 2013, several years after his passing, with his son Howard Harper being the new owner.
I purchased this One of a Kind Corvette in early 2015, and did a 15 month frame up restoration, including rebuilding the complete long block, Latham Axial Supercharger, and re-installing it back in this 1957 Corvette. The drive train is completely 100% original and matching numbers, including the engine block, rare Single Tower Heads, 3-Speed Transmission, and 3.70 Rear End. The original Intake Manifold, Carburetor and Air Cleaner are included with the sale of this Corvette, as well as an additional stock 1957 hood. The interior is 100% completely Original, except for replacement carpet, as it was badly worn. All of the gauges work, including the Supercharger Vacuum Pressure gauges.
The car was stripped of it's original paint, and re-painted the original colors of Black with Silver coves. All of the chrome was triple-plated, and the stainless was all polished. The windshield and side windows are all original, and dated 1956.
This One of a Kind, extremely rare Supercharged 1957 Corvette is a real Radio Delete, as well as a Hard Top only car. I have all documentation, dating back to 1957 on this Corvette, including the copies of Titles, Registrations, the Easter Airlines Airbill for the Latham Axial Supercharger dated October 24th, 1957. All of the matching numbered parts are listed below.
Richard Paul, the owner of Latham Axial Superchargers since 1982, estimates that around 600 of the Latham Axial Superchargers were produced. Of that, only six of these Superchargers were installed on C1 Corvettes in the 1950s. This Corvette is believed to be the only one left in existence today. The fact that it is fully documented from the first year, and owned by one family for all of these years is rare and amazing.
After speaking with several Corvette experts, appraisers and NCRS Judges, they feel this One of a Kind 1957 Corvette is valued somewhere between $175,000 to $250,000. Possible trade for a well documented 1967 427/435hp Corvette will be considered. Asking $174,000 obo or possible trade for a well documented 1967 427/435hp Corvette will be considered.
If you truly have an interest in my car, you should call me, or send a detailed email with any questions that you might have about it. I advise you to either come and see the car in person, or have your Corvette expert, NCRS Judge or someone with knowledge of 1957 Corvettes come and inspect it. I am located in Boca Raton, FL 33498.
Feel free to contact me by email with any additional questions, or to set up an appointment to come see this One of a Kind 1957 Corvette in person.
If you have any interest in my car, please call or email with any questions. Feel free to come and inspect my Corvette in person, or send a
knowledgeable NCRS or Corvette expert.
Price Lowered to $174,000 obo from $179,000.
You can reach me by email at [email protected], or by phone/text at - 561 414 0289.
Thanks for looking,
Steve
Below is a List of all of the Matching #s of this Rare, One of a Kind 1957 Latham Axial Supercharger Corvette:
1957 Corvette VIN # - E57S100439 ( Build Date = October 1956 )
Engine Block:

Casting # 3731548 (283 cubic inch motor) Casting Date - J 9 6 (October 9th, 1956)
Pad Stamp: F1010EF (F= Flint, 1010 = October 10th, EF = 220hp/Manual Trans)
Cylinder Heads:
These are the very Rare Single Tower Heads
Driver: 3740997 J 4 6
(3740997 = Single Tower Corvette head for 220hp - J 4 6 = October 4th, 1956)
Passenger: 3740997 J 4 6
(3740997 = Single Tower Corvette head for 220hp - J 4 6 = October 4th, 1956)
Carburetor:
Carter 2655S J 6 ( 220h, J 6 = October 1956)
Main Body 0-1108 ( 220hp )
Air Horn 6-1271 ( 220hp )
Intake Manifold:
3731398 ( Cast Iron 220hp )
I 18 6 ( Sept 18, 1956)
Exhaust Manifolds:
LH 3733975 J 6 ( Corvette, J 6 = October 6th )
RH 3733976 H 21 ( Corvette, H 21 = August 21st )
Generator:
1102043 6 J 4 ( 1102043 All 1957 Corvettes, 6 J 4 = October 4th, 1956 )
Distributor: ( was missing when I purchased car )
1110891 4 H 15 ( 1957 Corvette 220h, 4 H 15 - bought replacement )
LATHAM AXIAL FLOW SUPERCHARGER:
Model: 110 - FI ( Used with Fuel Injection Intake Manifold )
Ser. No.: 001106 ( Build #106 of approximately 600 units made )
Transmission:
Main Case: 3845122 (3-Speed Transmission)
Date: I 11 56 (September 11, 1956
Radiator:
3133689 56 H ( Corvett, 57 H = August 1956 )
Starter:
1107664 6 J 24
(1107664 1957 Corvette)
(6 J 24 = October 24th, 1956)
Rear Differential:
GM J 4 6 3725899
(J 4 6 = October 4th, 1956) (3725899 = 3 speed Standard Rear Axle)
AH 10 10 (AH = 3.7, 10 10 = October 10th)
Windshield:
LOF Safety Plate: AS 1 I V ( I V = June 1956 )
Driver and Passenger Side Windows:
Driver: LOF Safety Plate: AS 2 H V ( H V = July 1956 )
Passenger: LOF Safety Plate: AS 1 J V ( J V = May 1956 )