Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Hardtop
Imagine a car so popular that a new term came to be based on that
design. That name is Tri-Five, which refers to 1955, 1956, and 1957
Chevrolet automobiles, in particular the Bel Air, 150, 210 Sedans,
and the Nomad. With beautiful proportions and new skins each of
those successive years, and a thorough peppering of chrome, these
cars produced in this time became iconic. From all original to
highly modified versions, many Tri-Five clubs have sprung up to
showcase individuality, originality, and the beloved Chevrolet
concepts of Harley Earl and his team.
Gracing our numerous showrooms here at Classic Auto Mall is an
example from the Tri-Five's most glorious year, 1957. Also the top
dog of the Chevrolet lineup, the Bel Air. This example started life
in Colorado and eventually wound up in the capable hands of our
consignor who used the car in the early 90's as his Pharmacy
delivery car. I'd call that a prescription for continued business
and success! The proud owners also utilized it as the star shuttle
in their children's weddings. Now retirement and dreams of living
the life of spending quality time with his wife have prompted it to
go to another owner so they can make new memories. Gosh after
reading this I'm all shook up! Or do I see love letters in the
sand?
Exterior
Fairly straight steel panels draped in Sierra Gold cover the
exterior of this car. Some beginnings of rust are seen bubbling
below the surface particularly on the lowers near the rockers. An
occasional area of previous bondo repairs is evident on this driver
example. Upfront two jet age hood inserts fly forward leaving a jet
trail in the form of a small bump that dies at the windshield. The
smiling front grille inspired by Ferrari of all people, is all very
nicely plated in '57 gold and has a large lower bumper complete
with two small Dagmars with rubber tips. A swoop trim spear runs
from the headlights with their eyelid shaped chrome bezels to its
crescendo of fanning out at the rear quarter. A white ribbed fin
panel is inserted on the rear quarters and has gold Bel Air badging
in your grandmother's handwriting along with a cloisonne bowtie
badge. On top, Adobe Beige paint on the roof, and more chrome trim
around the windows. Roof paint is suffering from cracking and
crazing, as well as some peel off with underlying rust. The rear of
the car now goes full bore 50's motif, with the vertical fins
canting inward to the rear bumper, all trimmed in chrome with the
crescent moon tail lights and backup lights melting into a clean
and mirror-like chrome bumper. On the downturn of the trunk lid is
a widened gold V with more "Chevrolet" grandmother's handwriting
gold badging. 14-inch wheels with Bel Air trimmed dog dish wheel
covers wrapped in E70-14's wide whites are on all 4 corners. Also a
shout out to the wrap append front and rear glass as well as their
trimmings which are in good condition. Just the right formulation
and not generic!
Interior
Dripping in 50's styling there is abundant use of the nifty
broadcloth that has a cream bordered flagstone pattern stitched
into a black background. These panels are seen on the door uppers
and lowers, and are broken up by a white vinyl central panel that
becomes ever wider as it makes its way from the hinges to the
latch. Within this panel is a white armrest and some shiny handles
and actuators. The panels show some tears and ripping, particularly
on the gold vinyl lowers next to the rockers. Slipping our eyes
inside a more nifty 50's design with dual full bench seats which
the front resides within a gold tub. Seats sport more of the black
background cream stitched flagstone pattern for the inserts that
have the pleasure of housing 2 white buttons on their uppers and
have solid flagstone lowers. What vinyl is reserved for the
bolsters and back surrounds. Gold piping surrounds the delineation
between the panels on these chairs and shows some cracking. Also a
few seams have opened up at the edges on various panels. A nice
cream painted dash is upfront and has the upwardly mobile curved
cove for the instrument cluster and turn signal lights which are
within deep cone shaped bezels. A centrally located round speedo is
flanked by metal encased smaller rounds on either side, and show
fuel gauge and temp gauge. Cutting through the middle of the dash
is a chromed mesh horizontal trim that houses the radio, and
various control knobs. Dash uppers and lowers are full metal jacket
and are also bathed in the Sierra Gold. Like new Sierra gold carpet
floods the floors and a tight off white headliner is floating above
all this 50's design. Tutti frutti, oh rootie... A wop bop a loo
bop a lop bam boom!
Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and we are met with the unrestored engine bay,
and stuffed inside is a 1957 version of a 283ci V8. On top 2
barrels feed fossils and air to this mill, (not know if original to
the car). A 2-speed Powerglide transmission is on back and throws
power rearward to a 3.36 rear axle. A shout out to the engine bay
which is presenting nicely for a '57 driver. THE perfect dosage of
power and looks for this example.
Undercarriage
A fine coating of surface rust is noted throughout the
undercarriage. Exhaust is clean and rust free. Noted is some
invasive rust on the passenger's side lower front door, and lighter
invasive rust on the all doors lower sills. Independent coil spring
front suspension is on and leaf springs for the back. Drum braking
is all around. Make sure you don't drive this baby on an empty
stomach. (Tongue In Cheek)
Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and ran smoothly, shifted effortlessly, and the
2bbl 283 cuber propelled us forward in a serious manner. All
functions, save for the heater blower, even the radio, were working
swimmingly at the time of the test drive.
Just the proper pill with a mix of Sierra Gold, flagstone pattern
interior, 283ci of V8 power and a 2bbl carb all looking smart, and
a true driver survivor which one can turn the key and go. If you
want you can give it some TLC to make it uniquely yours, or just
drive it for fun. I see a diagnosis of a 57 in your garage in the
very near future. Where's my Xanax?
VC57L137750
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
57-1957
L-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
137750-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 57 1039D-1957 BelAir 4 Door Sedan
BODY VN6149-Los Angeles Body #
TRIM 674-Black, Copper, & Beige Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT 818D-Adobe Beige & Sierra Gold
EZ1-Tinted Glass
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.
