Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop
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, take
over our psyche and demand attention? It remains a mystery to me
but I'm still staring!
An original design kept for this car, all bathed in 50's Onyx Black
paint with a two tone interior, original wheels, bumpers and
styling with a few faults that come with this driver quality
survivor classic. And, with its factory 283ci V8, single 2-barrel
carb and 2-speed Powerglide tranny, and this writer cannot help
falling in love again.
Exterior
Led off by its Ferrari inspired gold egg crate grille, chromed and
Dagmar-ed front bumper, which is showing off all its shine like a
spread feathered peacock we can see the lead-ins for a real hit,
maybe even a home run design. A dual rocketed chromed adorned hood
with a long bump running rearward to the windshield, the gold
anodized shiny 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 India Ivory background on the rear quarter
is looking original. Door and fender panels are straight, have some
dents and dings, scratches and swirls in the paint, and slight
beginnings of rust bubbling below the paint particularly onthe
lowers of this car. Gaps are minded very well. Bringing up the rear
is another curved wraparound chrome encircled rear glass, and a
neatly curled around trunk lid which is flanked by the finned rear
quarters complete with chrome topper trimmings and lower tail
lights in the form of crescent moons. Just below the back up
lighting is an oval inserted into the rear bumper. Wheels are
chromed knockoff styled hubcaps wrapped in wide whites on all 4
corners.
Interior
The spectacular cockpits in second-generation Bel Airs need no
introduction, but here goes. Depress the button on this hardtop's
mirrored door handle and you'll find a gorgeous black and red
interior that stays very true to the car's factory scheme. Broad
bench seats feature supple red piped hides that fit well and feel
great. The inserts are in the black flagstone pattern with some
silver edging on the "stones". There are areas off wear in this
broadcloth where it is fraying and thinning. Beneath those seats,
black carpet is all covering and doing a very good job at it. At
the edges of that rug, retro door panels anchor small red vinyl
armrests and stainless cranks and actuators just above. Red sills
to hang your elbow out while driving provide the tops which then
transition over to the flagstone black broadcloth panels, a mid
swoop spear if you will, red vinyl section, and more black
flagstone for the bottoms with just a touch of black smooth vinyl.
A full metal jacket dash hangs all original hardware for climate
controls and various knobs and pulls within the square textured
aluminum strip. This is seen below the red dash top and a squared
off visor keeps the instruments shaded and are shown in a trio of
metal circular red bezels. Some lights are also in thimble shaped
bezels and are peppering this dash as well. An AM radio graces the
aluminum panel in the center of the car, and fronting the driver's
side is an original red steering wheel with a full circle shiny
horn ring. The back bench has the same trimmings as the front bench
and floating above is a nice tight red vinyl headliner. Way to go
hound dog!
Drivetrain
Under the hood in the unrestored but still nicely presenting engine
bay now sits the correct 283 V8 with red/orange GM painted block
and valve coverings. A single 2bbl carburetor is atop, and a
Powerglide 2-speed automatic 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 patina, supple newer belts and
hose. A nice driver presentation.
Undercarriage
Park this Bel Air on a lift and you'll find a super clean, slightly
patina'd and minimal surface rusted undercarriage that's nice
enough to show and tough enough to go. All is still structurally
sound on this front. Independent coil springs for the front and
leaf springs for the back are on and drum brakes are on all 4
corners too. Stock style dual exhaust has rotted out mufflers and
should be renewed for safety.
Drive-Ability
This original factory V8 fired right up, and seemed to always run
rough, most likely due to old gas. It could use a good tune up as
well and all this will be remedied. With this rough run it was
difficult to really realize the potential of this car. Although
smooth shifting from the Powerglide 2-speed and good creak free
handling was experienced. All functions were working well, and it
was a pleasurable test drive.
A nice example which has not been ratted, or rodded, or
restoration-modded, just brought back to look original for 1957
then driven for enjoyment. Paint is less than perfect with some
faults, but is definitely the right color. 90 percent of the work
is all done, so hop in and enjoy the car and when you are ready,
hit it with a fresh coat of paint, tuneup and drain that old gas.
Talk about top of one's game, 1957, a cherished model year, mostly
original looking great.
VC57S158254
V-V8
C-2400 Series Bel Air
57-1957
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
158254-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.
