While the Corvette has always stood for American beauty and sportiness, it hasn’t always stood for speed. One need only look at the 1953-55 models that came equipped with a Blue Flame inline-six cylinder engine, which made only 155 hp and had balancing issues owing to the siamesed ports.

By the later part of 1955, that design flaw had changed to make the V8–the 265 cubic-inch version, to be specific–the standard that would follow from there on out. It received an upgrade yet again just one year later with the 283 cubic-inch V8, which generated 185 hp in its base configuration.

But that wasn’t all that the 283 could produce. Mechanical fuel injection, a relatively new technology at the time, was manufactured by GM’s Rochester parts division and metered out fuel to the cylinders at a constant rate, resulting in much higher efficiency and horsepower ratings. The slang term “fuelie” came into being to describe such vehicles that had fuel injection.

And the Corvette, being the halo model and primary testbed for much of GM’s innovations over the years, was as fitting a car as any to be the first to receive these high-tech motors. Such is the example seen here, a 1957 roadster that’s set to cross the block at the Bonhams auction taking place right now at Amelia Island in Florida.

Eric Minoff, a car specialist working for Bonhams, believes the Corvette will cause quite a fuss amongst bidders. “Finished in Onyx Black with Inca Silver coves and a red leather interior, it was restored 15 years ago to such an impeccable level that it would go on to win the highest possible awards in the Corvette community,” he said.

Estimates provided by Bonhams back up Minoff’s high praise: $125,000-150,000 is the range they are betting on. How about you? Drop down below and leave a comment on how much you think this black beauty will fetch.