Vehicle Description
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop
"Bel Air is an affluent, exclusive, and primarily residential
neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, renowned for its large
estates, stunning views, and privacy. It's nestled in the foothills
of the Santa Monica Mountains, bordering Brentwood, Westwood, and
Beverly Hills. Founded in 1923 by Alphonzo E. Bell, Sr., it's known
for its celebrity residents and high priced real estate."
Thxsusansmithrealty.com
For consignment, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 door hardtop showing
30,238 miles, but the true miles are unknown. Garage kept by our
consignors, this car was subject to a frame on restoration about 20
years ago and is an outstanding representative of arguably the most
iconic classic American car, or at least one in the top five!
Exterior
Gold trim and the aluminum wedge insert alone put this car on a
pedestal others can only aspire to. Now add stunning two stage Inca
Silver over Onyx Black and you have a stunner of a show car. The
addition of 17-inch polished American Racing Torque Thrust wheels
is a fine choice here, complementing the extensive stainless trim
on the side and around the windows, including the curves of the
bowed windshield and rear window. Wrap around chrome bumpers create
visual bookends on a profile that stands tall and glistens under
our lights. The back of the car is instantly recognizable with
modest tail lights at the base of the fins followed by reverse
lights embedded in the chrome bumper, flanking a smooth and wide
decklid. The front is classic '57 with the telltale gold grille
that signifies the top trim. Paint and metalwork are spectacular on
the car and the tastefully tinted windows add rather than detract
from the cleanliness. A single chip in the paint is the extent of
imperfections.
Interior
The silver and black palette continues on the interior where
cobblestone cloth sandwiches a silver band on the door panel
followed by a solid black kick panel, clean, artful, and giving
that welcome vintage feel. Cobblestone inserts on silver seats
adorn the split bench up front and full bench in the back, both
with button accenting on the uppers, and sidewalls are coordinated
all the way around. The boomerang shaped steering wheel spoke
houses a horn ring between its black rim, now on a tilt column. In
front, a well designed dash presents with minimal gauges, metallic
knobs, and lots of curves, lines, and trim. The perforated mid
panel also houses an AM radio and a clock flanking the gold Bel Air
emblem. Down below, a triple gauge pod has been added for water,
oil, and volts. Black carpet floods the floor where a Hurst shifter
rises from the hump and both are in great shape. The silver
headliner is just about perfect and the trunk is covered with a
fitted rubber mat, houses the battery, and presents cleanly.
Drivetrain
The engine is not flashy, but is very clean and presentable. It's a
327ci V8 from the early 60's, and wears a 4-barrel Holley
carburetor under the chrome topped air cleaner. Polished valve
covers sit above headers and an AutoGear 4-speed manual
transmission backs it all up, sending power to the rear wheels and
3.36 gears. Drum brakes remain on all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Relatively clean underneath, more or less driver quality with
typical surface rust and residual oil in places. The dual exhaust
runs through Cherrybomb mufflers then exits soon after via down
turned and short tailpipes. Coil spring suspension is employed up
front with leaf springs in the rear. We note a patch in the rear
floorboard.
Drive-Ability
Squarely standing on 235/55R17's, this big '57 affords easy access
with good height. The 327 cranks to life with a mighty roar, short
exhaust creating a big sound. We grab the Hurst with authority and
shift this black beauty into first to move it around the loop. Good
power, straight tracking, and mighty fine visibility caps off a
nice driving experience which we're sure onlookers might even be
enjoying more due to the stunning profile! Meanwhile, we check our
notes to find the speedometer, odometer, and reverse lights are not
working. 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.
Black exterior, gold emblems, a manual transmission, nearly
flawless inside and out. Oh, and two doors, one hundred years from
now, these will still be cool. But don't wait that long as others
are skimming this description with one hand on their mouse and the
other on their phone. Make the call. This one checks all the
boxes!
VC57B220459
V-V8
C-2400 Series Belair
57-1957
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
220459-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 57 1037D-1957 Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop
BODY NO M13773-Baltimore Body #
TRIM NO 674-Black, Copper, & Beige Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT NO 818-Adobe Beige & Sierra Gold
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!
