Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
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
pie'ce de re'sistance, and stand out from the crowd a bit, but all
the while not ruining the original concept.
Elvis Presley was lighting up the charts, drive-in movies were all
the rage for more reasons than 1, 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, nice fins and wrap around
glass. Also, we are rollin' with chrome 5 spoked Cragars just to
look even more cool!
Exterior
Folks, this one is all that and a bag of chips as they say with
straight silver painted steel slabs with no rust, miles deep paint,
and mirror like chrome that looks like it was dripped yesterday and
it's still wet. Just an awesome fit and finish, and then there are
plenty of chromed bolt ons lighting up the front end, dagmars, and
a large chrome bumper on the bottom. A gold egg crate grille, upper
chrome "lip" to follow the hood line, and a beautiful near perfect
cloisonne Chevrolet multi-colored badge. On the hood we see a gold
wide bodied V with the Chevrolet script in your grandmother's
handwriting. Also on top, dual jet chromed inserts fly forward from
the chrome window surround and are near perfect in condition. Dual
chromed mirrors hang from the doors and are bordered by a long trim
strip that starts just above the front quarters at the headlights
and moves rearward and swoops downward and splits to reveal a
horizontal ribbed panel to add some contrast to the rear quarter.
Just beautiful. Small tasteful fins make up the top of the rear
quarter, and are topped with chrome, and melt on top the rear
taillights as crescent moons with an oval rear backup light on the
bottom. The gas filler cap is hidden within the trim for the rear
taillight on the driver's side for you non 57 aficionados who are
in need of a fill up. 15-inch Cragar wheels are all around and are
wrapped in black walls which look like new on the tread front. Also
of note is the wrap around glass for the front and rear glass.
Interior
A swing of the cool doors and we note black background broadcloth
with red stitched flagstone outline pattern within it. A red vinyl
panel houses the window crank and armrest. The flagstone broadcloth
is showing some wear and slight tearing. Moving to the front bench,
which is split, we see more black broadcloth with the flagstone
stitched pattern inserts with red smooth bolster surrounds complete
with correct white piping. Just a little wear in the seams of the
flagstone pattern broadcloth. Some chromed buttons thrown on the
uppers on backs for giggles and visual enjoyment. On the rear bench
there is plenty of romper room and it sports the same retro 1950's
pattern. The dash has become more square in its design but still
has deep round red painted metal bezels for the gauges. Streaking
through the middle of the dash is a shiny mesh aluminum trim which
breaks up all the red painted metal. A red vinyl tight headliner is
noted up top and sports a working dome light.
Drivetrain
Sitting within the totally restored engine bay is a shiny new
looking orange/red GM painted block. It is now a 327ci V8 from
1969. On top is a 2-barrel carburetor, and on back a 3 speed manual
transmission.
Undercarriage
Absolutely straight black no rust steel and frame, floor pans, side
rockers, and even the wheel wells are clean. A thick coating of
undercoat is everywhere under here. We note front independent coil
spring and rear leaf spring suspension, along with manual drums on
the front and rear.
Drive-Ability
Another coin flip car for the first to take to the test track and
my never failing decoder, copy editor, and good friend won so he
ran it through the paces first and reported no horn and no heater
blower, but great handling, and all buttoned up on the mechanical
end and sounding just fab. She accelerated wonderfully, and came to
a halt on a dime, and a shining silver one at that.
All that and the cat's meow car is looking good for an older
restoration that still has its wings. It's ready to go out on the
town, or just up Main Street and turn a bunch of heads. With the
upgrades and add ons, it retains its original exterior look, and
has a nifty 50's interior. Not to mention the eye candy engine bay
all dressed up and goes like hell. 1957 never looked so promising.
Let's just say the past is so bright you'll need shades!
VIN DECODE
VC57B145742
V-V8
C-2400 Series Bel Air
57-1957
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
145742-Sequential Unit Number
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.