1957 Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210 Convertible

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

Imagine a car so popular that a new term came to be based on that design. That name is Tri-Five, which refers to 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevrolet automobiles, in particular the BelAir, 150, 210 Sedans, and the Nomad. With beautiful proportions and new skins each of those successive years, and a thorough peppering of chrome, these cars produced in this time became iconic. From all original to highly modified versions, many Tri-Five clubs have sprung up to showcase individuality, originality, and the beloved Chevrolet concepts of Harley Earl and his team.

Over the past few years, many of the world's finest Bel Air drop-tops have graced our Classic Auto Mall showroom. With that in mind, we now have the pleasure to host for consignment a 57 that combines a mirror-like body, and fire breathing fuel injected LT-1 V8 with a fresh, frame-off restoration. This hot tri five is, without a doubt one of the sweeter examples in the quad winged mall. Forget all that stuff about concours-correct, factory-authentic snooze mobiles... The goal here was to create one of the nicest Bel Airs the hallowed halls have seen. And judging by our photo showing, the builder's mission was certainly accomplished. If you're searching for a sizzling custom that features some of the nicest of everything, you've found your next classic, all in resto-mod dress.

ExteriorAirspace Turquoise bathes the straight panels of this car which are minding their gaps. Dual rockets push forward and leave their rounded metal trail on the hood, flying forward to the gold egg crate grille surrounded by a large smile of chrome trimming above and below a big bumper with mini rubber covered "dagmars" and a central cloisonn badge. Just above is a gold wide V with Chevrolet badge written in your grandmother's handwriting and flanking on either side is a single shiny bezeled headlight. On the sides more gold accenting with 3 small vertical bars topping a stainless trim spear which runs rearward past the doors and then opens up into the white and shiny stainless rear quarter trim. More bling is on top of the fins created by the end of the roofline and running towards the vertical chevron style rear taillights. Another big bumper is on the back and looking great. Up top a white, white canvas top which moves up and down flawlessly. 17-inch Billet Specialties wheels are on all 4 corners and shining brightly.

InteriorAs we drop the top and swing the doors we are greeted with more turquoise and white two tone, which interplays on the door panels and split front bench seat and full rear bench. For the seat's turquoise inserts and white bolsters and some white buttons, all smooth and nearly perfect, float in a sea of turquoise carpeting, covered and protected by light blue rubber Chevrolet badged floor mats. A white rally tilting column steering wheel with a drilled chromed center front the original configured deep circle instrument adorned dash. These instruments are now blue LED Dakota digital readout instruments. Some shiny aluminum horizontal ribbing is in the center breaking up some of the turquoise and a retro radio in AM/FM Cassette is in the middle as well as an A/C unit hanging below. For the remainder of the interior more turquoise and white panels and a beautiful clean white tonneau cover for the top are seen and enjoyed.

DrivetrainThe new blue mill sits in a new engine bay, all perfectly restored and now a 350 LT-1 sporting fuel injection, and a 4L60E 4-speed automatic on back. Nicely done under this hood.

UndercarriageUnderneath a showroom quality black frame is highlighted by more turquoise which is applied as nicely as the topside. Stainless steel fuel tank, and exhaust are peppering the black and turquoise, and the underside has nary a drop of water spot on it. Power disc for the front and power drums for the rear bring this car to an abrupt WHOA!!! Amazing!

Drive-AbilityOf course, it started right up and growled until we let it loose on the test track. Here it performed amazingly well with the new LT-1 V8 and smooth 4L60E 4-speed automatic. All functions were working as they should. I noticed the horn and the wipers do not work.

Draped in the essential 1950's color guard of turquoise and white, few stones were left unturned dusking this resto-modding process. The result, a very nice example that runs like the wind.

VIN DECODEVC57T190160V-V8C-2400 Series BelAir57-1957T-Tarrytown, NY Assy Plant190160-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAGSTYLE NO 57 1067DTX-1957 Bel Air Convertible BODY NO L15162-Lansing Body # TRIM NO 679-Blue Vinyl PAINT NO 795-Larkspur Blue

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.