Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 Door Sedan
Without question, the 1957 Chevy is one of America's most iconic
images. From being instantly recognized around the world to its top
ranking among diehard fans of GM's bowtie and general car
enthusiasts alike, this single model year has seen it all since
introduction. Its competition credentials were felt not only on the
quarter mile, but also on the ovals, both dirt and paved. It's been
chopped, lowered, modified and lovingly restored. The '57 Chevy has
also been replicated countless times in diecast and molded plastic
guises, ranging from 1/87 scale right up to 1/12th, even fiberglass
go kart bodies have been produced in its image. And its picture has
hung on countless bedroom and garage walls.
For consignment, a 1957 Chevrolet 2 door sedan in Bel Air trim.
Built in late 1956 and purchased new by the original owner on July
15th 1957 off of the showroom floor at Girard Chevrolet in
Philadelphia for the original owners wife. The car was mainly used
for trips to the market and hair salon and was maintained by the
owner and his son. Whatever the back story, the car looks great and
was purchased by our consignor in October of 1990 and faithfully
cared for and maintained since. This rare piece of Tri-Five history
comes to our Hallowed Halls sporting a new interior and a rebuilt
for modern fuel correct, original, and somewhat rare chartreuse
painted 265ci V8 Then it has all been bathed in Imperial Ivory over
Inca Silver, retaining most of its original trimmings, wears 2
doors, and is like a veritable trip back in time. With 73,889 title
verified actual miles on the odometer, it's one for the money, two
for the show, and three to get ready now go cat go!
Exterior
At the front of this five-seven hangs a bright Chevrolet crest and
polished parking lamps between chrome trimmed eye lid-esque
headlights and a broad bumper and a shiny gold egg crate grille.
Also we see some round turn signal lights in thick bezels and
rubber tipped "Dagmars" on either side. At the top of that grille,
a domed hood centers polished spear bullet and rocket tailed spoons
in front of wraparound glass that's draped in polished frames. This
is all steel straight with well minded gaps, and is bathed in Inca
Silver. The paint presents as miles deep with only a few areas of
light spray and inclusions. At the base of those frames, polished
wipers, driver's and passenger's door mirrors and traditional door
handles complement flashy trim spears and elegant "Chevrolet"
scripts in grandmother's handwriting within the ever widening
silver and ribbed stainless panel in the rear quarters. Undulating
chrome is on the sills and this frames the lowers for the roof line
which comes to us in Imperial Ivory as a beautiful contrast. At the
back of the car a second broad bumper frames the trunk line lower,
and a second colorful crest. The finedge trimmings form a Z on the
tail as they ground themselves on the bumper. Smaller flame shaped
tail lights reside on the bottoms of these Z's. A backup light is
within the bumper just below and achromed tipped single exhaust is
coming from under the bumper. Simple Inca Silver painted steel
wheels with standard faux knock off wheel coverings are wrapped in
medium whitewall 7.50-14 rubber on all 4 corners. From the curved
glass to all the chrome, things are near showroom new.
Interior
Featuring a stunning array of black flagstone broadcloth and red
vinyl, this Chevy's new interior is both clean and impressive. At
the center of the cockpit, firm bench seats wear a retro
amalgamation of red vinyl bolsters with black vinyl fronting the
base of the lower cushions and silver piping separating the black
and red flagstone broadcloth inserts. A matchy matchy sprawling
bench is in the rear and presents as nearly new. In front of those
seats, a full metal jacket dash forms round wide steel bezels
bathed in red and house round black faced gauges and a lineup of
small round lights in deep chromed bezels just above these gauges.
These circles border on a square weave pattern chromed strip that
runs the length of the dash, and houses some knobs and pulls, the
factory AM radio, and a rectangular clock in front of the
passenger. Fronting the dash on the driver's side is a red bakelite
steering wheel with a complete circle horn right in the center.
Just below the chromed square weave strip is another horizontal
band which is back to the red paint just like the all steel dash
top. Here the heater control buttons and a glovebox are seen in
front of the passenger. Wonderfully clean and new black thick loop
carpeting is in and flooding the floors and a tight white headliner
is just above.
Drivetrain
Within a fully restored and silver and black painted engine bay is
stuffed a rebuilt and correct chartreuse GM block 265ci and is an 8
cylinder. It has an black air cleaner and this covers a 2-barrel
carburetor. On the back is a 3-speed manual transmission and a 3.55
rear axle to spin the rears. The original radiator is keeping
things all cool my cats!
Undercarriage
Fully structurally sound underneath with the exception of some
light surface rust on the untreated components. The floor pans and
body hangers, much like the rest of the underside, are covered with
patina,factory undercoating and some surface rust. Independent
coilspring suspension is on front and leaf springs are on the rear
and looking good with the original shocks still bolted to the rear.
Drum braking is on front and the back to keep things stopping
properly.
Drive-Ability
The car started easily and was fun to drive. It had nice
acceleration, bias free braking, and had a few rattles here and
there. I was amazed at the quality of the originality on the
interior, and all functions were fully operational save for the
clock not keeping time. Also, I noted that during extreme cold
weather first gear is difficult to engage. Even with those faults
it was so great I had a tear in my eye..decoder..hand me a Kleenex!
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.
The upper echelon of the tri five and the last of said trio year
example, nicely gone through with an amazing history and low miles
accrued over the years. A mostly new interior and all looking good
enough not to step on, but into and just drive and smile. Pure
1950's heaven my cool cats...
VC57B154141
V-V8
C-2400 Series Bel Air
57-1957
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
154141-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.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
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
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
