Vehicle Description
This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop is already finished just the
way you'd want it. Fantastic colors, fully sorted mechanicals, and
lots of upgrades including a built 383 Stroker V8, a quick-shifting
5-speed gearbox, a custom A/C interior, and just enough attitude to
let folks know the '50s are over. Yes, this is the one you've been
waiting for.
Onyx Black with a silver-and-black interior will look great
forever, and the timeless color combination neatly straddles the
original 1950s look with a few modern touches to make it relevant
today. Obviously showing off some very attractive bodywork
underneath (which is an absolute must if you're going to paint your
classic black: the most unforgiving shade that shows every
imperfection and corner cut underneath), the gaps are precise, the
body panels line-up, and the door shut flush without a Herculean
effort. The deep, slick-black finish has a wonderful shine that
really pops underneath our lights, and because the restoration was
recently completed in 2020, the application still looks practically
wet today. Sure, it's not a trailer-queen meant to be hermetically
sealed and only escorted to car shows - the drivetrain itself let's
everyone know this Tri-5 was always destined to be a cruiser - but
the finish is still very high-end with only extremely minor flaws
to report. Few cars wear black better than the '57 Chevy, and the
builders of this '57 stunner didn't waste time with a contrasting
white roof, because this car is designed to be nasty and nothing
works better than tuxedo black when you're going for intimidation.
Factory Bel trim is all there as it should be, including the sharp
profile spear that runs from end-to-end, traditional Bel Air panels
on the quarters, and a few gold-anodized pieces (including the
front grille insert) that retain the original designers' vision
while offering a bit more contrast to the overall look. Big chrome
bumpers fore and aft are the perfect end caps, the rocker panel
trim still looks new, and the remaining brightwork was polished up
to an unbelievable shine that really helps the car stand out from
the crowd.
Few interiors from 1957 looked better than Chevy's two-tone cloth
and vinyl setup, regardless of price point. Particularly dramatic
in black and silver which happen to be the original shades, the
slick interior paints a great picture in an already very appealing
car, with comfortable bucket seats split by a center console up
front, door panels finished to match at the flanks, and a largely
untouched rear seat upholstered in the same two-tone patterns. A
sporty, 3-spoke steering wheel wears a leather rim at the helm of
the cockpit, while the 8-ball topped Hurst shifter is just a short
reach away, practically taunting the driver to cycle through the
gears of the 5-speed gearbox. The original gauges are gone,
replaced by a set of Dakota Digital VHX dials that slide neatly
into the factory housings, and the two-tone dash was finished to a
very high standard and features gorgeous aluminum trim. Options
include a chrome tilt steering column, seatbelts up front, a
retro-style AM/FM/Cassette stereo, and an aftermarket A/C system
uses under-dash vents for a more low-key look that's quite
effective. Plush black carpets line the floors, a taut headliner
was installed up above, and the rear seat looks largely untouched -
further proof that nothing was overlooked during the Tri-5's
comprehensive restoration, and even the trunk was neatly finished
with a thick rubber mat and relocated battery.
A thundering 383 Stroker V8 crate engine is a huge hit in this '57
Bel Air, and it slides right into the beautifully finished and
cavernous engine bay. Nicely detailed with numerous polished and
chromed components, shiny valve covers, a custom air cleaner, and
bright Chevy Orange enamel on the clock itself, the engine bay is
ready to be shown off. Topped with a Holley QuickFuel Slayer
4-barrel carburetor atop an Edelbrock polished aluminum intake,
it's an extremely strong and responsive runner, and with the help
of aluminum heads, a serpentine belt system, HEI ignition, and
Patriot ceramic-coated headers, it registered 500HP on the Dyno. A
giant BeCool aluminum radiator with dual electric fans keeps both
the engine and the passengers cool even when the A/C is cranking,
and with a Bergenson power steering system and Wilwood power disc
brakes all around, it's very user-friendly out on modern roads. The
aforementioned Tremec TKO500 5-speed gearbox is the perfect dance
partner for the 383 Stroker, and it spins a more-than-capable
Spraker Racing rear end that can handle all that added power. An
H-pipe dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers sounds
downright nasty when it's at full bore, and the chassis is nicely
detailed with uber-clean floors and components, so you don't have
to worry about hitting the road in this awesome Bel Air. Flashy
Foose chrome wheels with staggered 225/45/18 front and 255/40/18
rear BFGoodrich performance radials give it a modern stance that
works really well.
This 1957 Bel Air is traditional in every way that matters and
brings a host of upgrades with it that makes it absolutely awesome
to drive. Dialed-in examples like this never last long, call
today!
