Vehicle Description
Go to any car show today and you'd be hard-pressed to imagine that
in 1957, 4-door sedans were the most popular body style. It seems
like most of the convertibles and hardtops survived just fine, but
finding a 1957 Chevrolet 4-door is next to impossible today. And
finding one that has been restored to original specifications?
Unheard of! So if you're looking for something different, but still
stylish and maybe even a little practical, how about this lovely
'57 Chevy Bel Air sedan?
This car was originally India Ivory, but a few years back someone
decided that it needed a little more punch, so Coral was chosen for
the body whilst the roof and pillars remained the original hue for
a wonderful, period-correct combination. The cool sail panel on the
rear quarters is still there, and as a Bel Air, it's a lovely
anodized aluminum piece that's the model's most distinctive
feature. And although certainly not perfect, the finish on this
sedan is really good. Not often do you see restored 4-door sedans,
do you? Fit and finish are impressive, and the paint job is older
but of very good quality, and a professional cut-and-buff would
really kick it up a notch. All that chrome and stainless probably
cost a fortune to restore/replace, and all of it remains in very
good condition. Details include beautiful chrome bumpers fore and
aft, and those trademark bullet-shaped hood ornaments that probably
gave Ralph Nader nightmares. Seriously, I just can't get over how
great this car presents, especially for a four-door sedan.
The interior also sports a correct two-tone black and silver
interior that has been restored using correct fabrics and patterns.
The Bel Air four-door sedan offered six-passenger comfort with a
modicum of style that extended throughout the entire lineup, and
it's every bit as luxurious and stylish as its hardtop brothers.
Plush black carpets provide great insulation from heat and noise
alike, and the lovely Chevy dashboard matches everything very
nicely. The gauges are just as flashy as in the other models, too,
including the separate pods for fuel level and temperature above
that ribbon of bright metal trim. There's also an original
heater/defroster unit, and excellent glass throughout the cabin.
The trunk offers a reproduction rubber mat and plenty of room for
luggage and car show goodies.
Powering the 'ol girl is a 235 cubic inch inline-six, which is the
largest and most fully developed of the Chevy sixes and it was
standard equipment with the PowerGlide automatic transmission. It's
also smooth and torquey, so it bops around town in a way that's
distinctly different from the usual V8. There are signs of regular
maintenance and careful ownership throughout the tidy and clean
engine bay. Wearing corporate Chevy Orange engine enamel, it looks
right and even things like the big valve cover, air cleaner
assembly, and exhaust manifold are correct. You will also spot an
original generator, but it's 12-volt equipped judging by the modern
battery. The PowerGlide 2-speed automatic transmission shifts
firmly right about the moment you think it won't, and from there
the strong-running six will pull this car around effortlessly at
highway speeds. The suspension rides and handles quite well, with a
polished feeling you wouldn't typically expect from a vintage
Chevrolet. It's quite clean underneath and it sits on a set of
appropriate-looking 205/75/14 whitewall radials wrapped around
steel wheels with stock hubcaps that really dress it up.
Don't make the mistake of overlooking this sedan if you're in the
market for a '57 Chevy-from behind the wheel it feels exactly like
a hardtop. Call today!
