Vehicle Description
This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop is truly one of those
no-compromise, iconic American classic cars. It's one of the most
popular vehicles ever built, and after a comprehensive restoration
in 2010, it retains its awesome Onyx Black-over-Black color
combination, a period-perfect 283 V8 mated to a 2-speed Powerglide
powertrain, and factory suspension setup - so it looks, feels, and
drives EXACTLY like a '57 Chevy should, not like some modern
hybrid. Impeccably restored and carrying arguably the best color
combination in the hobby, this is just might be that special Tri-5
you've been waiting for.
Onyx Black always looks amazing on a '57 Chevy, and for good
reason. It's a high-profile car no matter what color you paint it,
but the black only emphasizes the long, lean look of the ultimate
Tri-5. Laser-straight bodywork is mandatory on a car of this
caliber, so spending the extra time and money to get it right has
paid off here in spades. The full restoration was finished back in
2010, but it's been barely driven since and still carries a great
shine that will sparkle at shows and makes other cars look
downright shabby in comparison. It's not a perfect trailer-queen,
and in fact a multi-stage detail would remedy the few minor
imperfections we found (mostly swirl marks from wiping it down
while it was stored) and put it over the top if you'd like to take
it trophy hunting. Nevertheless, as it sits today it's certainly a
top-end driver, not too perfect where you're going to be scared to
drive it, but still nice enough to show at your local car show to
great applause. All the standard Bel Air glitz is there, including
the anodized panels, polished stainless strips along the tops of
the fins, and the brightly chromed bumpers that look great and
shine up splendidly, just like the rest of the brightwork that was
attended to during the restoration. Accessories include Bel
Air-specific gold trim in all the right places along with those
iconic hood 'rockets', giving it a pure 1950s look that everyone
loves. Correctly sorted and dripping with nostalgic Americana, this
is a beautiful hardtop that attracts all the attention everywhere
it goes.
Few interiors in cars at any price point in 1957 looked better than
Chevy's two-tone cloth and vinyl setup. Particularly dramatic in
black and silver, it paints a great picture in an already very
appealing car. Everything has been expertly restored back-to-stock
and still looks great today, especially the seat covers on both
benches, the matching door panels, and the taut headliner above.
There are a couple seams beginning to lift in the high-traffic
areas and we did spot a minor tear in the headliner on the
passenger's side, but we're really nitpicking because this cabin is
truly beautiful. The black carpets are plush and barely look
stepped on (thanks in large part to the protection provided by the
color-keyed Bel Air floormats), and although that certainly looks
like the original radio situated in its original nesting place in
the dash, it's actually a retro-style AM/FM/Cassette replacement.
Although the steering wheel may be original and does have a few
signs of use, the dash was beautifully restored and is really the
star of the interior. And yes, that's a much-welcomed automatic
transmission on the steering column, which makes this car a lot
easier to manage on the road, regardless of the distance. And with
a period-perfect black vinyl mat on the floorboard and spare-tire
and jack set mounted in the correct position, the spacious trunk is
finished properly with enough room to accommodate just about any
travel plans.
The 283 cubic inch V8 still makes all the right 1957 sounds and has
that unmistakable small block growl, and it's been properly dressed
ad detailed to look just like it did when it was new. That includes
Chevy Orange engine enamel on the block and Chevrolet-scripted
valve covers, a generator, and a black snorkeled air cleaner up
top. The scrappy small block fires to life with ease and is really
running great with help from a replacement 2-barrel carburetor,
stock intake manifold, and dual exhaust system that sounds
fantastic underneath. You'll be happy to see an original style
power brakes and a power steering system, which when coupled with
the smooth-shifting 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission makes
driving this beauty a breeze. The underside was coated in
protective undercarriage liner and is incredibly clean, further
evidence of a life lived easy under the tutelage of an avid
collector, along with proof that it's barely been driven since it
was restored. Steel wheels with bright beauty rings and correct
hubcaps offer a wonderful look and carry a set of 7.50-14 Firestone
whitewalls that give it a sophisticated finish.
Clean and reliable, this is the '57 Bel Air you've been hoping to
find, combining all the features with exactly the right condition
to drive, show, and enjoy. Call now!
