1957 Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

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, and take it one step further? Something to really end up with the pie'ce de re'sistance, and stand out from the crowd a bit, but all the while not ruining the original concept.

Elvis Presley was lighting up the charts, drive-in movies were all the rage for more reasons than 1, and the poodle skirt had hit high schools across the country. And with this last year and considered the best year of the tri -five era, and the highest end model in the Bel Air. This one will not disappoint with all the right options, plenty of chrome trimmings, nice fins and wrap around glass. Also, we are rollin' with chrome 5 spoked Cragars just to look even more cool!

ExteriorFolks, this one is all that and a bag of chips as they say with straight silver painted steel slabs with no rust, miles deep paint, and mirror like chrome that looks like it was dripped yesterday and it's still wet. Just an awesome fit and finish, and then there are plenty of chromed bolt ons lighting up the front end, dagmars, and a large chrome bumper on the bottom. A gold egg crate grille, upper chrome "lip" to follow the hood line, and a beautiful near perfect cloisonn Chevrolet multi-colored badge. On the hood we see a gold wide bodied V with the Chevrolet script in your grandmother's handwriting. Also on top, dual jet chromed inserts fly forward from the chrome window surround and are near perfect in condition. Dual chromed mirrors hang from the doors and are bordered by a long trim strip that starts just above the front quarters at the headlights and moves rearward and swoops downward and splits to reveal a horizontal ribbed panel to add some contrast to the rear quarter. Just beautiful. Small tasteful fins make up the top of the rear quarter, and are topped with chrome, and melt on top the rear taillights as crescent moons with an oval rear backup light on the bottom. The gas filler cap is hidden within the trim for the rear taillight on the driver's side for you non 57 aficionados who are in need of a fill up. 15-inch Cragar wheels are all around and are wrapped in black walls which look like new on the tread front. Also of note is the wrap around glass for the front and rear glass.

InteriorA swing of the cool doors and we note black background broadcloth with red stitched flagstone outline pattern within it. A red vinyl panel houses the window crank and armrest. The flagstone broadcloth is showing some wear and slight tearing. Moving to the front bench, which is split, we see more black broadcloth with the flagstone stitched pattern inserts with red smooth bolster surrounds complete with correct white piping. Just a little wear in the seams of the flagstone pattern broadcloth. Some chromed buttons thrown on the uppers on backs for giggles and visual enjoyment. On the rear bench there is plenty of romper room and it sports the same retro 1950's pattern. The dash has become more square in its design but still has deep round red painted metal bezels for the gauges. Streaking through the middle of the dash is a shiny mesh aluminum trim which breaks up all the red painted metal. A red vinyl tight headliner is noted up top and sports a working dome light.

DrivetrainSitting within the totally restored engine bay is a shiny new looking orange/red GM painted block. It is now a 327ci V8 from 1969. On top is a 2-barrel carburetor, and on back a 3 speed manual transmission.

UndercarriageAbsolutely straight black no rust steel and frame, floor pans, side rockers, and even the wheel wells are clean. A thick coating of undercoat is everywhere under here. We note front independent coil spring and rear leaf spring suspension, along with manual drums on the front and rear.

Drive-AbilityAnother coin flip car for the first to take to the test track and my never failing decoder, copy editor, and good friend won so he ran it through the paces first and reported no horn and no heater blower, but great handling, and all buttoned up on the mechanical end and sounding just fab. She accelerated wonderfully, and came to a halt on a dime, and a shining silver one at that.

All that and the cat's meow car is looking good for an older restoration that still has its wings. It's ready to go out on the town, or just up Main Street and turn a bunch of heads. With the upgrades and add ons, it retains its original exterior look, and has a nifty 50's interior. Not to mention the eye candy engine bay all dressed up and goes like hell. 1957 never looked so promising. Let's just say the past is so bright you'll need shades!

VIN DECODEVC57B145742V-V8C-2400 Series Bel Air57-1957B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant145742-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.