Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4 Door Sedan
Among the offerings from Chevrolet in 1957 were a series of 4 door
options including the hardtop which had no pillars between the
front and back windows, the sedan which does, and the station
wagon. Trim levels included the 150, the 210, the Delray, and the
top trim, the Bel Air.
For consignment, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4 door sedan assembled in
Tarrytown, New York and housing a date correct 283ci V8 under the
hood. Sixteen exterior colors were available in 1957 and this one
is yellow.
Exterior
Regardless of the number of doors, the wedge trim on the 1957's
remains a top 5 iconic all time automotive design element. On the 4
door, part of the wedge is on the back doors and therefore contain
a seam, but still serves as a great way to introduce the rear fins
which rise above them like Batman's ears. The bottom line of the
wedge travels as a mid line trim piece all the way to the front
where it ends in a spear under the fender louvers, a Bel Air cue.
The chrome and metal trim are in great shape including the floating
headlights, the twin rocket hood ornaments, and the hefty bumpers
and grille. 14-inch polished Chevrolet Rally wheels could use some
help and the side mirror is missing. Other imperfections include
various cracks in the paint, areas of surface rust where paint is
missing, bubbling, chips, and a section of the front bumper that is
rusty and peeling.
Interior
Basic black vinyl door panels are accentuated by a tweed like cloth
on the armrests and lower panel greet us upon opening the door,
while the seats are a basic black bench in stitched pattern,
showing some usage but clean and intact. The rear bench has some
rippling in the piping but otherwise in great shape and the doors
retain the cloth and vinyl configuration, while an ashtray is
embedded in the back of the front bench. A gray steering wheel with
horn ring shares the column with the shifter and the dashboard
consists of three main protruding gauges above a grid patterned
metal lower trim panel in which we find an updated AM/FM/Cassette
radio, a gold Bel Air emblem, and a square clock, all topped by a
black painted dash top. Black loop carpet covers the floor, loosely
in some spots, and the black headliner is clean and intact. Button
backed tweed material finishes the walls of the trunk and a black
carpet base houses a spare tire on a yellow steel wheel.
Drivetrain
Open the big hood and we find a driver quality 283ci V8 with a
2-barrel carburetor rated at 185 horsepower. A 2-speed Powerglide
automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels and 3.36
gears. Power brakes are employed here with drums occupying the
front and the rear.
Undercarriage
Generally clean but driver quality conditions prevail underneath
where some surface rust occurs on usual spots, residual oil on the
pan, flywheel cover, and rear differential. The dual exhaust
includes a pair of FlowMaster mufflers then exit under the rear
corners. Suspension consists of coil springs in front and leaf
springs in back. The undersides of the doors are clean and rust
free.
Drive-Ability
Even with pillars, the greenhouse environment of the Bel Air cabin
provides ample visibility and the rear quarter windows help by
minimizing the C-pillar real estate. The 283 is primed and starts
right up, rolling big steel onto our test loop in fine style.
Acceleration is adequate, tracking is straight, and turn-in is a
bit boat like, as expected. The radio is not working but all other
functions operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
A straight body, good runner, classic lines, all the ingredients
for an entry level collector car or one to add to the collection.
Cars from the 50's are nothing short of rolling art and the '57 is
like the Rembrandt of the bunch. Grab the family and head to Main
Street with this one where everyone will have a good time,
occupants and onlookers alike!
VC57T189098
V-V8
C-2400 Series
57-1957
T-Tarrytown, NY Assy Plant
189098-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
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