Vehicle Description
When Chevrolet began work on the new line of cars for 1957, the
initial idea was to introduce a completely new design. However,
production delays forced executives to change that strategy and
tweak the existing platform used in 1955 and 1956. They
incorporated noticeable styling cues like a wider grille up front,
bigger tailfins in the rear and the instantly recognizable quarter
panel inserts on higher levels. On the inside, they fitted a
restyled dash and made subtle changes to the upholstery patterns.
Under the hood, engine options grew, with the offering of a 283ci
small block available in a variety of configurations ranging from a
single 2-barrel carburetor all the way to fuel injection. The end
result was the last and most iconic model in a production run from
1955 to 1957 affectionately known as the "Tri-Fives" among
collectors today. This particular 1957 Bel Air was the recipient of
a nut-and-bolt, frame-off restoration to factory specifications. It
was repainted to its original color combination of Matador Red with
India Ivory roof, and the interior was upholstered in the original
two-tone red and black. Under the hood is the original 283ci Power
Pack V8 rated at 220hp, backed by a Powerglide automatic
transmission. This is a great example of a 1950s icon restored to
the exact specifications it rolled off the assembly line with in
1957.
