"BLACK WIDOW"

69L72RS · #1 10-02-2003, 01:10 PM

Does anyone have any info on the 57' fulie factory race cars that were nicknamed "BLACK WIDOW"?
The guy says the car has 283 fulie/4-spd/ and 6 lug axles???? from the factory.
Am I getting a BS story on this car before I make him an offer?

Thanks
Eric [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif[/img]

**Charley Lillard** · #2 10-02-2003, 01:57 PM

Yes there were Black Widows like described but there are a bunch of Fakes out there so look for paperwork or Price it accordingly.

**737Driver** · #3 10-02-2003, 02:01 PM

Eric,

As is typical about most things, my knowledge of those cars limited. I read a post recently concerning the 57 Black Widows. They, supposedly, all started life as 150 6 cylinder 3 speeds. Vince Piggins ran a clandestine operation in ATL called Sedco. There, these 40 (?) cars were all converted to 283 fuelies with heavy duty suspensions. These mods were made to satisfy NASCAR requirements. For what, I don't know. I'm sure others here, will.

Regards,

Mark Donnally

Chevy454 · #4 10-02-2003, 02:03 PM

Lillard's right...LOTS of clones out there. They used the 150 "businessman coupe", which meant no back seat, no roll down windows, and I *think* the 3 speed was standard. They were built for NASCAR. Very light, like under 3200 pounds.

ORIGLS6 · #5 10-02-2003, 02:19 PM

Again..going strictly from memory at the moment; I think they were 4 speed cars. As I recall that's the only 4 speed passenger car for '57. Four gears were available in the Corvette for '57 but not in the sedans. Yes they did have six lug wheels front and rear. I believe they used a 3/4 ton truck rear axle and used the six lug hubs and brake drums on front for extra stopping power. They also used the 'bucket' seat from the sedan delivery.

55chevy · #6 10-02-2003, 02:56 PM

I could have sworn they were all 3 on the tree cars... I've read articles on them before and I could almost swear I remember the shift being on the column. I'll look on this more later.

69L72RS · #7 10-02-2003, 04:30 PM

Thanks guys for all the info and warnings about fakes ( Charley and Rob ).
I will let you know how the car checks out and whether or not I get it.
Where did you guys learn so much about so many different musclecars? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif[/img]
You are my new heroes. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif[/img]
Thanks again.
Eric

55chevy · #8 10-02-2003, 04:34 PM

check out this link. I was right about the column shifter

http://community-1.webtv.net/stevela...ASCARCHAMPION/

ORIGLS6 · #9 10-02-2003, 07:28 PM

I stand corrected! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif[/img] If I had read a little further on the "57 Heaven" site I would have seen their notes about the 3 speed trannys too. I guess the 4-speed deal was just a combination of poor memory and wishful thinking on my part!

I did remember that NASCAR outlawed the F.I. early on and that the cars ran with single four barrels. Sure would like to see one done as a 270 HP though! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Dennis

JoeG · #10 10-02-2003, 07:57 PM

There is a great photo and info article on a FI -'57 Black Widow in Legend Series Musclecars 1989---I can't bring it up on screen ,but if someone wanted the article, I could mail it to them,and maybe they could post it?.This one is the 283hp version of the FI 283.----------JoeG

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.