Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptional older
restoration example of this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible in a
beautiful 'Matador Red' color paint and with an absolutely superb
condition 'Silver amp; Red' vinyl interior, with a 283 'Turbo-Fire'
V8 engine matched to a 'Powerglide' automatic transmission, full
wheel covers with 14" white wall tires, three spoke steering wheel
with full horn ring, electric clock, stainless steel trim on
windshield, side windows amp; rear windows, stainless steel front
fender trim, gold anodized front fender louvers, power top, full
carpeting and with added factory options of the AM radio, Power
brakes and DeLuxe Heater amp; Defroster. One of the USA's most
recognized classic cars ever, the Chevrolet Bel Air was introduced
in 1950 as a sporting 2 door Hardtop Coupe powered by a 6 cylinder
engine and using a smooth Powerglide transmission. The Bel Air
range was expanded in 1953 to sedans and a very desirable
convertible and by 1954, a station wagon, the Nomad was added to
the range of models. By 1955 a comprehensive restyling arrived at
its definitive classic shape and the Bel Air was the flagship model
of the entire Chevrolet division. There's no better example of GM's
styling and engineering prowess in the late fifties than the 1957
Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible - drive one like this particular
example and you will see why - its hard to believe that this car
was built over 58 years ago! In 1957 the all new Bel Air was
advertised as having "exciting new looks, zippy new power and
luxurious new interiors" and boy did they ever!'Zippy new power'
included a larger displacement 283 CID V8 engine in 6 different
variations of a 2 or 4 barrels carburretor, dual 4 barrels
available with either hydraulic or solid valve lifters and for the
first time ever, a fuel injected version. 'Exciting new looks'
included a complete restyling of both the front amp; rear of the
car. At front, an integrated bumper and grille for a massive wide
expanse of chrome. A full width center grille bar held the parking
lights at each end with the Chevrolet 'Bowtie' crest in the center.
Headlight surrounds included screen-type trim that actually doubled
as fresh air intakes. The face of the hood featured the Chevrolet
script with a 'V' under it on cars equipped with the new V8
engines, with the top-of-the-line 'Bel Air' models featuring a gold
anodized grille and the 'Bel Air' bodyside script. Atop the hood
were new twin 'windsplit' ornaments instead of the traditional hood
ornament of the older models. At back were higher rear fenders with
tail fins lined in chrome. These would be the only true vertical
tail fins to appear on a Chevy with the later 1959 amp; 1960 models
having horizontal tail fins. The 'Bel Air' had a ribbed two-tone
silver anodized aluminum panel between the quarter rear trim
pieces. 'Luxurious new interiors' featured new fabrics, colors and
designs complimented by a new instrument panel design with gauges
centered over the steering column in two small round pods flanking
a larger speedometer pod.This particular example was recently
purchased from it's long time southern California owners and had
been restored around the year 2004 and has since obviously always
been cherished as a 'Garage Queen' with only very few miles since
its restoration. Recent mechanical work completed since we
purchased it includes new Dual Power Brake Master Cylinder, rebuilt
wheel cylinders, fuel tank removed amp; cleaned, new points, plugs
amp; condenser.
