Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Hardtop
Chevrolet designers were really hitting their stride in the mid
1950s with their Tri Fives, and you would arguably say the Magnum
Opus was the last model of the Tri Five era...the 57 Chevrolet.
Probably one of the most recognizable classic cars of all time,
available in multiple body styles colors and with engine and
transmission options. You'd be hard-pressed to go to any car show
or cruise night without finding yourself at least one 1957
Chevrolet.
Bill Haley and the Comets were lighting up the charts, drive-in
movies were all the rage for more reasons than one, and the poodle
skirt had hit high schools across the country. And with this being
the last year and considered the best year of the Tri Five era, and
the highest end model in the Bel-Air. This one will not disappoint
with all the right options, 54,899 title verified actual miles, an
upgrade to power rack and pinion steering, plenty of chrome
trimmings and a finned rear.
Exterior
The 1957 version is always the talk of the town, and this one will
have your town's tongues wagging. The shiny mirror like grille with
its big bumper with added guards below a gold egg crate grille and
single headlights framed by fenders with the beginnings of a trim
spear above, it just does not get any better. We see nice use of
chrome to highlight the rockers and above there is the ever
widening spear that takes over the rear quarter panel and has a
wonderful stainless steel insert panel complete with Bel Air script
in your grandmother's handwriting along with a badge. On back are
the chrome topped fins which on the driver's side magically flip
open to reveal the filler for the gas. On the bottoms of these fins
are half oval tail lights with an arc bezel which intermixes with
the protruding oval backup lights and dual exhaust under the rear
bumper. One quick glance at the panoramic glass and its spit shined
trim and I'm ready to head to the local sock hop with my best girl.
Dusk Pearl bathes the body from the passenger compartment downward
and Imperial Ivory paint graces the roof of this two tone work of
1957 bowtie art. Keeping this skate on the ground are medium width
white wall tires in G78-14 form wrapping 14-inch steel wheels with
vented and faux spinner equipped covers.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we see smooth silver vinyl mixed with
polished chrome strips making up the clean door panel floating in a
sea of black flagstone cloth. The cranks and levers are very good,
as is the armrest. Looking inside, a very clean bench with more of
the silver and black flagstone broadcloth for your posterior meets
your eyes and things just don't get more 50's than this. The rear
bench follows the form of the front seats and there is plenty of
romper room here. The dash is showroom with a black painted top
dash, silver instrument cluster, and steering column. A silver
rimmed steering wheel fronts the instrument cluster and is complete
with a full round chrome horn ring with Bel Air in the center. An
aluminum band with a mini square pattern adds an accent strip to
the dash and houses various knobs, clock and a factory AM radio.
Black colored clean thick pile carpet floods the floors and has
some black rubber bowtie emblazoned protective floor mats on
top.
Drivetrain
We swing open the hood and are greeted with a well restored but
slightly patinaed engine bay. Sitting within the front fenders we
see a date correct and possibly original 283ci 220hp V8. This
orange eye candy is topped off with a single 4-barrel carburetor
and backed up by a two-speed automatic Powerglide transmission.
This 8 cylinder and 2-speed combinationsends power back to the 3.36
geared conventional axle.
Undercarriage
Showing off with only slight invasive rust on a few of the outboard
body hangers and inner rockers and plenty of undercoating. Clean
parts are noted for the independent front suspension with coil
springs and rear suspension with leaf springs. We also see solid
frame and floor pans. Slight seepage is noted on the bottoms of the
engine and transmission and drum brakes are on all 4 corners and
stainless steel dual exhaust withFlowmaster mufflers is shiny and
in good shape. The icing on the cake down below is the recently
installed power rack and pinion steering.
Drive-Ability
Sitting behind this wheel brought me right back to 1957 in my
parent's car with my best gal at the drive-in. The 283ci V8 lit
right up and took me quickly around the test track where ithandled
very well, panic stopped straight, and provided a nice quiet
cruise. All controls were in full working order with the exception
of the left turn signals not flashing, the clock not keeping time
and the steering having a bit of loosethen tight feel to it.
Otherwise it was a nice experience and a veritable trip back in
time.
Redone in the original colors of Dusk Pearl and Imperial Ivory with
a silver and black flagstone colored interior, this car harkens
back to 1957 in every way shape and form. This writer was taken
back to a much simpler and happier time; the golden age of
automobiles, the 1950s, who could ask for anything more? Well maybe
an extra cherry on top of my root beer float at the malt shop.
VC57N159816
V-V8
C-2400 Series Bel Air
57-1957
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
159816-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 57 1039D-1957 Bel Air 4 Door Hardtop
BODY N4788?-Norwood Body #
TRIM 670-Black & Silver Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT 822D-Imperial Ivory & Dusk Pearl
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
