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.
An original design kept for this car, all bathed in 50's turquoise
and white paint with a two-tone interior, upgraded wheels, bumpers
and styling with a few faults that come with this classic. Now with
a 383ci stroker V8, aluminum intake and 4-speed manual tranny, it's
looking a lot like 1957 all over again, only better!
Exterior
Led off by its front, chromed and dagmared front bumper which is
retained with shiny chrome and a deeply inset grille. We then move
to the turquoise highlights for the upper grille and hood, shiny
headlight bezels and visors. A dual rocketed chromed adorned hood
with a long bump running rearward to the windshield flanks the
chromed Chevron on the front of the hood that has Chevrolet badging
in your grandmother's handwriting in gold, matching the egg crate
below (only for 1957!). On either side the swoop spear with ribbed
metal insert, and white background on the rear quarter is looking
original. Door and fender panels are straight, rust free and mind
their gaps very well. Exterior paint is showing bubbling and fading
but overall presents very nicely. Bringing up the rear is another
curved chrome encircled rear tinted glass, and a neatly curled
around trunk lid which is flanked by the finned rear quarters
complete with chrome and lower taillights. Chrome Cragar wheels in
14" format are wrapped in blackwall radials with wider meats being
in the rear. All looking good, and a wonderful update to the '57
design.
Interior
A swing of the door and the panels for said doors are looking
original with like new broadcloth in flagstone pattern black over
turquoise vinyl inserts and dark blue smooth vinyl bottoms add some
contrast to the broadcloth and look like new. Inside the seats are
in their original configuration with a split bench up front and a
full bench in the rear. These are carefully covered with turquoise
bolsters and have a bordering of silver piping and more of the
flagstone pattern broadcloth in ghost blue and black background.
Seat backs use more black inserts with silver buttons within a
border of more silver piping and turquoise. The bench in the rear
presents as the front does and all is very nicely redone. Turquoise
carpeting floods the floors, and the single squared off bump up
metal dash in a turquoise metal jacket has some punched square
aluminum banding in its center, a modern AM/FM/Cassette stereo,
original temp sliders and knobs, and small chrome bezel gauges
mounted within. White is the color for the main gauge cluster which
sits in front of the white steering column with a white factory
steering wheel and aftermarket Sun tachometer attached. The
headliner is near perfect and presents in turquoise vinyl panels
neatly stitched and nice and tight.
Drivetrain
Under the hood in the unrestored engine bay now sits a 383ci
stroker V8 and the balance sheet and engine build sheet are both
included. Within the block is an Eagle cast crank, Eagle SIR I-beam
connecting rods, and a Comp Cams Mother Thumper Cam with
.522i/.509e lift, 235i/249e duration. A 4bbl Holley carburetor is
atop a Professional Products intake manifold, and a Borg Warner T10
4-speed manual transmission is on back. The rear axle presents with
a BB stamping code and is in 3.36 configuration. All under this
hood is very nice, with some very mild patina, orange/red block and
some chrome dress up for the air cleaner and alternator.
Undercarriage
The first thing I notice is a peppering of surface rust on the
black frame and floorboards, as well as suspension parts. All is
still structurally sound though with a liberal application of black
paint and undercoating. We do note the rear body crossmember has a
few areas of invasive rust toward the outer edges. Independent coil
springs for the front and leaf springs for the back are on and
power drum brakes are on all 4 corners too. Headers work together
with glasspack style mufflers to handle the exhale and produce a
wonderfully melodious exhaust note.
Drive-Ability
That 383ci stroker V8 fired right up and ran like a dream. Plenty
of power on the acceleration front, and smooth easy shifting from
the T10 4-speed and good braking thanks to the power assist. All
functions were working well, save for the heater blower and the
speedometer, otherwise it was a pleasurable test drive.
A nice example which has not been ratted, overly rodded, or
restoration-modded, just brought back to look original for 1957 but
with some kick under the hood. Paint is very nice even with the few
faults we noted but is definitely the right color. 95 percent of
the work is all done, so hop in and enjoy the car and when you are
ready. Talk about the top of one's game!
VIN DECODE
VC57B120039
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
57-1957
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
120039-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.