Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
Chevrolet designers were really hitting their stride in the mid
1950's with their Tri Fives, and you would arguably say the Magnum
Opus was the last model of the Tri Five era the 57 Chevrolet. So
how exactly does one take this masterpiece of bowtie design, and
take it one step further? Something to really end up with the piece
de resistance, and stand out from the crowd a bit, but all the
while not ruining the original concept.
For consignment a piece of the piece de resistance in the form of
the banner year for the Tri Fives... a 1957 Bel Air. Fully restored
and all primed to go for a cruise down Main Street and start
turning heads. In excellent condition, it's like a gold nugget that
glistens in your pan amid all the silt and water, and when you lay
your eyes on this one you will see she's worth her weight...
Exterior
From its toothy grille that floats between a small upper bumper and
lower large bumper complete with rubber tipped "Dagmars", to the
belt line swoop spear that makes a downward turn on the rear
quarter panel, this restoration is truly the definition of the term
"buttoned up." Dual rocket style hood embellishments are fronting
curved gentle tubes that are on either side of the hood. These run
back toward the windshield where they die into the hood. Very nice
(just like the bumpers and trim) chromed headlight bezels frame the
single headlights, and nice chromed side view mirrors, door
handles, and window trim all chromed are all good. Continuing
rearward, we see an off shoot of the downward sloping spear, that
also runs to the rear of the car, and borders a horizontally ribbed
aluminum panel with a gold Bel Air badge in your grandmother's
handwriting, and cloisonne Chevrolet bowtie badge. We need to talk
about the straight steel panels all around, with fair minded gaps,
and covered in Sierra Gold paint. A beige canvas convertible top is
the glitter if you will and is in nearly new condition. 15-inch
wheels have been put on to accommodate the now front disc brakes.
These are covered with polished Dodge Lancer hub caps.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we see copper vinyl with embossed circle
pattern mixed with light cream strips making up the clean door
panel. Cranks and levers are very good as is armrest. Looking
inside a very clean split bench with more of the cream tuck and
roll vinyl and copper inserts. Just to show off cream buttons have
been added to the setbacks. The rear bench follows form of the
front seats. The dash is showroom with copper painted top dash,
cream instrument cluster, steering column and steering wheel
courtesy of a '59 Impala, all pristine. An aluminum band with a
mini square pattern adds an accent strip to the dash and houses
various knobs and a vintage looking radio. Copper colored clean
thick pile carpet floods the floors and has some light tan
protective floor mats on top.
Drivetrain
Automotive mechanical jewelry could best describe this dual
Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and intake setup, which tops a 350ci
V8 crate motor. This engine sports Corvette valve covers, an orange
block, and all neatly polished and painted accessories. Supple
hoses and steel headers are all present and accounted for. On back
is a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission, and way back a 3.55
axle
Undercarriage
The frame off restoration has left the undercarriage simply
beautiful looking absolutely right out of the showroom. Copper
floorpans and pristine copper rockers are mounted securely to a jet
black straight rust free frame. Dual stainless exhaust from Borla
is like new, worms it's way back past all this finery. Front disc
brakes have been put on, and the rears remain drums. Rack and
pinion steering and independent coil spring front suspension and
leaf spring rear suspension are all clean and pristine.
Drive-Ability
As like the rest of the car, it runs very well, starting
immediately, shifting smoothly, and providing a smooth ride. We
went topless on the drive and this functioned perfectly. Plenty of
power from those 8 barrels feeding the 350 cubes, which we are told
by the consigner produces a whopping 290hp!
If you are in the market for the best year of the Tri Fives, that
is as close to really nice as one can get, then look no further
because this is the nicest example I've seen in a long while. Great
color combo, and a fab frame off restoration from Old Gold Auto out
of Lebanon, Pennsylvania who truly know what they are doing. This
car is also as clean as they get with the odometer reset during the
restoration and now showing a mere 259 miles. You will have to go
in and get the break in oil changed!
VIN Decode
VC57B261624
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
57-1957
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
261624-Sequential Unit Number
Trim Tag
STYLE # 57 1067DTX-1957 BelAir Convertible
BODY # L42581-Lansing, MI Body #
TRIM # 681-Copper Pattern Vinyl & Beige Vinyl
PAINT # 805-Sierra Gold
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 450 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.