Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan
Chevrolet designers were really hitting their stride in the mid
1950s with their Tri Fives, and you would arguably say the Magnum
Opus was the last model of the Tri Five era...the 57 Chevrolet.
Probably one of the most recognizable classic cars of all time,
available in multiple body styles colors and with engine and
transmission options. You'd be hard-pressed to go to any car show
or cruise night without finding yourself at least one 1957
Chevrolet.
Bill Haley and the Comets were lighting up the charts, drive-in
movies were all the rage for more reasons than one, and the poodle
skirt had hit high schools across the country. And with this last
year and considered the best year of the Tri Five era, and the
highest end model in the Bel-Air. This one will not disappoint with
all the right options, plenty of chrome trimmings and a finned
rear.
Exterior
The 1957 version is always the talk of the town, and this one will
have your town's tongues wagging. The shiny mirror like grille with
its big bumper below an egg crate grille and single headlights
framed by fenders with the beginnings of a trim spear above, it
just does not get any better. Nice use of chrome to highlight the
rockers. Above there is the ever widening spear that takes over the
rear quarter panel and has a wonderful stainless steel insert panel
complete with Bel Air script in your grandmother's handwriting
along with a badge. On back are the chrome topped fins which on the
driver's side magically flip open to reveal the filler for the gas.
On the bottoms of these fins are half oval taillights with an arc
bezel which intermixes with the protruding oval backlights and
exhaust openings within the rear bumper. Twin radio antennas lean
rearward and the panorama glass just in front of these is original
to this car. Sierra Gold, and Adobe Beige paint adorn this two tone
work of 1957 bowtie art.
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 floating in a sea of black cloth. Cranks and levers are very
good as is armrest. Looking inside a very clean bench with more of
the cream and Sierra Gold with black broadcloth for your posterior.
The rear bench follows form of the front seats. The dash is
showroom with copper painted top dash, cream instrument cluster,
steering column. A cream colored steering wheel with a leatherette
wrap fronts the instrument cluster. An aluminum band with a mini
square pattern adds an accent strip to the dash and houses various
knobs, clock and a factory AM radio. Copper colored clean thick
pile carpet floods the floors and has some black rubber Chevrolet
emblazoned protective floor mats on top.
Drivetrain
We swing open the hood and are greeted with a well restored but
slightly patinaed engine bay. Sitting within the front fenders we
see the venerable Blue Flame 235ci 140hp inline six cylinder. The
silly living up to its name sake as it is covered valve cover to
oil pan in Chevrolet blue paint. Topped off with a one-barrel
carburetor and backed up by a two-speed automatic Powerglide
transmission the six cylinder send power back to 3.36 conventional
axle.
Undercarriage
Showing off with no invasive rust, plenty of undercoating, clean
parts for the independent front suspension with coil springs and
rear suspension with leaf springs, we see solid frame, rockers and
floorpans. Nary even a drip from the bottom end of this engine and
transmission which is great and rare. Drum brakes are on all 4
corners and a stock exhaust has surface rust but is in good
shape.
Drive-Ability
Sitting behind this wheel brought me right back to 1957 in my
parent's car with my best gal at the drive-in. The 235ci I6 lit
right up and took me quickly around the test track, handling very
well, panic stopping straight, and provided a nice quiet cruise.
All controls were in full working order and it was a nice
experience.
Redone in the original colors of Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige with a
copper black and cream colored interior this car harkens back to
1957 in every way shape and form. This writer was taken back to a
much simpler and happier time. The golden age of automobiles, the
1950s, who could ask for anything more? Well maybe an extra cherry
on top of my root beer float at the malt shop.
VIN DECODE
C57B201390
C-2400 Series BelAir
57-1957
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
201390-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 57 1019D-1957 Bel Air 4 Door Sedan
BODY NO M1805-Baltimore Body #
TRIM NO 667-Black, Copper, & Beige Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT NO 818-Sierra Gold & Adobe Beige
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.