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 American Racing
wheels just to look even more cool!
Exterior
Folks, this one is all that and a bag of chips as they say with
black painted steel slabs with no rust, but does present with
numerous inclusions, dings, paint bubbles, and scuffs. 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,
an 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. This hood is a steel unit with a molded in reverse
facing fiberglass cowl induction scoop. 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
polished American Racing Torque Thrust 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 black stitched flagstone outline pattern within it. A silver
vinyl panel houses the window crank and armrest. The flagstone
broadcloth is showing some light fading but still presents well.
Moving to the front bench, which is split, we see more black
broadcloth with the flagstone stitched pattern inserts with silver
smooth bolster surrounds complete with correct white piping. These
seats show very well with little to no wear and have 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 silver painted metal
bezels for the gauges. Streaking through the middle of the dash is
a shiny mesh aluminum trim which breaks up all the black and silver
painted metal. A billet style banjo steering wheel sits atop a
shiny chrome tilt column and looks just fab. A black vinyl tight
headliner is noted up top and down below we see clean black
carpeting that is protected by black carpeted and rubber mats. A
shout out to the trunk with its clean red vinyl side panels and
black floor carpeting.
Drivetrain
Sitting within the totally restored engine bay is a shiny new
looking orange/red GM painted block. It is now a consignor-stated
402 ci V8. It is topped with a Holley 4bbl carburetor and an
Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold. Allowing you to row some gears
is a Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission and way in the back is
a 10-bolt rear axle with unknown gearing. Gobs of bling have been
added to the restored engine bay as chrome rules for the valve
coverings, air cleaner lid, alternator, brake booster and overflow
canister.
Undercarriage
Absolutely straight black no rust steel and frame, floor pans, side
rockers, and even the wheel wells are clean. A light dusting of
surface rust is noted on the usual suspects, but all remains solid.
We note front independent coil spring and rear leaf spring
suspension with added ladder style traction bars. Power brakes have
been added and are disc format in the front and drums in the rear.
Headers
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 great handling, and all
buttoned up on the mechanical end and sounded just fab. She
accelerated wonderfully and came to a halt on a dime and even gave
some change at that.
All that and the cat's meow car is looking good for a restoration
that is showing some age but 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!
VC57S253559
V-V8
C-2400 Series Bel Air
57-1957
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
253559-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.
