NEW PRICE! Exceptional frame-off restoration with receipts
totaling more than $125,000. Correct Matador Red and India Ivory,
283 Power Pack V8, power steering and brakes. Show-winner that
drives like a new car!
This is one of those exceptionally detailed restorations, one where
they not only nailed the basics of paint and upholstery, but got
the little things right, too: the clock works, panel gaps are tight
and even, and the car runs and drives so easily that you’d swear
it’s 50 years younger. The vivid Matador Red paint is just the
right shade, glowing in the sunlight, and the addition of the India
Ivory roof seems to emphasize the long, low look of the ‘57s in
particular. There are no waves in the bodywork, no signs of sub-par
workmanship, and although the car has been driven since the
restoration was completed, there are very, very few signs of it
thanks to a conscientious caretaker who knew this car was special.
When it came time to restore the jewelry on this car, no expense
was spared. The bumpers are beautiful, the gold anodized grille and
emblems are crisp and bright, and everything lines up just right so
the lines are unbroken from panel to panel. The stainless strips
along the flanks blend with the Bel Air anodized panels to make the
top-of-the-line Chevys distinctive, and twin antennas on the rear
deck would become a Chevy trademark for years to come.
Inside, the two-tone black and red upholstery was done just the way
the factory would have, including the funky red and black fabric
inserts. The detailing is exceptional, with the bright strip of
trim stretching across the dashboard and housing the secondary
controls, radio, and clock. The familiar three-pod instrument panel
is beautifully restored and all the gauges and lights are fully
operational. Indeed, everything works as it should, including the
radio which has an FM converter inside to the clock which has been
converted to painless quartz operation. Under the dash, you’ll find
a tissue dispenser which is an unusual yet surprisingly popular
accessory, and the carpets are protected by red rubber floor mats.
The trunk is correctly outfitted with a rubber floor mat and a
full-sized spare tire so you don’t have to wrestle with the one in
the continental kit. There’s also a correct jack assembly.
The small block Chevy V8 under the hood was a revolution when it
was introduced in 1955, and it’s a big part of why the ‘57s are so
beloved. Equipped with a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust that
were part of the “Power Pack” setup, it’s a superb runner that
makes good power and great sounds. It’s wearing correct Chevy
Orange paint and includes those lovely valve covers with embossed
Chevrolet script that really makes it look special. Up top, there’s
a proper heavy-duty air cleaner and a Rochester 4-barrel
carburetor. When the car was competing, it was completely stock,
but once its show days were over, it was modestly upgraded to make
it easier to drive, including a modern Saginaw power steering pump
and rack, front disc brakes with a dual reservoir master cylinder,
and a 12-volt alternator. All these modifications are bolt-ons that
could be undone if you wish to return the car to show duty, but it
runs and drives so well, I think it would be a mistake. Turn the
key and it sparks to life as quickly as a modern fuel-injected
engine and idles smoothly even when cold. That’s some nice
tuning!
The transmission is the original 2-speed PowerGlide automatic and
in this Bel Air, it delivers snappy performance with no fuss and no
muss. Out back, the original rear end was rebuilt and fitted with
3.27 gears, which are a nice compromise between punchy acceleration
and highway-friendly cruising. You’ll note that the floors have
been painted and finished to the same standards as the bodywork,
providing a great background for the satin black frame and
suspension components. There are a few signs of use, but not much
that couldn’t be wiped away in a few hours of detailing and the
stainless steel exhaust system should look great practically
forever. Correct 14-inch steel wheels have been painted to match
the body and fitted with correct spinner hubcaps and modern
205/75/14 Coker wide whitewall radials for a big improvement in
ride and handling.
This car also includes a 3-inch-thick binder full of every receipt
and invoice for the restoration, an album of restoration photos, a
set of accessory fender skirts that are fully restored and ready to
be installed, a dealer-issued bug screen for the radiator, and a
heavy duty car cover and inflatable “bubble” for storage.
This is absolutely one of the finest ’57 Chevys on the market
anywhere. You can certainly shop price and there are cheaper ones
out there, but few can match this car’s combination of looks,
quality, and performance, and it’s still a fraction of the cost of
restoring one to this level. In the car business, you always get
what you pay for, and this is a fantastic example of arguably the
most iconic car of all time. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
