Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air is one of the most recognized and beloved
classics of all time. Its clean lines, tasteful trim and excellent
proportions make for the 1957 version to be a favorite of the
Tri-Five fan. The fins were just right, grille proportions correct,
and it is undoubtedly the most desirable of the group.
For consignment the highest end car offered in the Tri-Five lineup
the Chevrolet Bel Air. This year it was felt that it hit its mark
right on the bullseye with the shapes and proportions. This beauty
has undergone a recent respray from the trim line down and has
plenty of engine upgrades to a replacement engine. A well-done car,
which eliminates some of the worries of an all original car.
Exterior
Sierra Gold drapes the panels of this car, with a beautifully
shined trim spear just below the belt line which flares into a
larger panel on the rear quarter in stainless prior to ending
abruptly on the rear fin. Speaking of trim, the remaining fender
toppers, B pillar trim and window wraparound trim is all in
excellent shiny mirror-like chromed condition. Wrap around glass
for the front windscreen, and slightly on the rear create a
passenger bubble with frames of chrome. In front we have the lower
smiling grille wrapped in a wide curve above and a massive small
Dagmar bumper below which curves around the front quarter. Single
headlights for either side flank a curved down hood that sports
twin chromed rockets jetting from the windshield. 14-inch standard
Bel Air trim wheel covers are on all 4 corners. Gaps are all
minding their spaces between each other well, and steel is straight
and rust free all around.
Interior
A more squared off dash instrument cluster for this year presents
itself in cream and has symmetrically placed round gauges embedded
within it. A tilt steering wheel column holds a resorted steering
wheel in matching cream, and an inner circle chrome horn rim. Just
below all this gauge cluster runs a band of screen chromed metal
mesh, which houses all the knobs and pulls as well as the ignition.
Directly below this is an aftermarket tachometer. Moving along this
mesh area is a Pioneer Super Tuner AM/FM/Cassette Player, and some
badging above the Sierra Gold matching lower dash band which houses
the glovebox. A trio of additional gauges hangs below the dash and
is within eye reach of the driver. Snazzy black insert with patio
stone pattern and white bolster cloth cover the front split back
bench and rear bench. Deep orange (gold) carpet floods the floors
and has some black protective mats installed above. In the middle
of the hump upfront is a B&M shifter. Above, a nice whitey
tighty headliner hangs above.
Drivetrain
A circa 1974 350ci V8 which consigner states was bored .30 over is
topped with 1978 heads that have 1.94i and 1.5 valves. An Edelbrock
2101 Performer intake is on top of the block, and this feed is
controlled by a Holley 600 CFM 4-barrel, #0-8004. Consigner states
that inside lurks an Edelbrock performer hydraulic cam with roller
chain, a Chevrolet forged .010 under crank, forged TRW .030 over
pistons with TRW Moly Melling high volume oil pump. On back is a GM
350 Turbo race prep transmission which pushes power rearward to a
3.36 gear axle.
Undercarriage
The frame and suspension are all solid on this car with virtually
no rust. Floorpans look good and have a heavy coat of rustproofing
spray on them. Unfortunately, there is some invasive prior rust
through on the inner rockers near the wheel wells. Body hangers
appear structurally sound near the mid rockers as does frame. New
brakes all drums have been recently installed as well as new
lines.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and after a short warmup it was off to the test
track where this car performed well as we took it through the
paces. A bit of excessive body roll when going into the turns, but
good handling, good acceleration and a thumbs up to the brakes
which worked very well. All interior functions can be reported
operational.
A good looker, and a cooker on the street, this restored car with
upgraded engine (consigner stated specs), redux retro interior,
rust free exterior, and fine engine bay. A 1957 very desirable Bel
Air with all the work done. Just race on down to Classic Auto Mall
and drive her away into the Sierra Gold sunset!
VIN Decode
VC57T307523
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
57-1957
T-Tarrytown, NY Assy Plant
307523-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE # 57 1037D-1957 Belair 2 Door Hardtop
BODY # T18742-Tarrytown Body #
TRIM # 674-Black, Copper, Beige
PAINT # 818-Adobe Beige, Sierra Gold
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 500 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.