1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan

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.

An original design kept for this car, all bathed in 50's Tropical Turquoise and India Ivory paint with a two-tone interior, original wheels, bumpers and styling with a few faults that come with this classic. Now with a 350ci V8, Edelbrock intake and 2-speed Powerglide tranny, it's looking a lot like 1957 all over again!

Exterior
Led off by its front, chromed and dagmared front bumper which is retained with some chrome peeling off and dimpling, we then move to the Tropical Turquoise highlights for the upper grille and hood, shiny headlight bezels and visors. A dual rocketed chromed adorned hood with a long bump running rearward to the windshield flails the chromed Chevron on the front of the hood that has Chevrolet badging in your grandmother's handwriting in gold, matching the egg crate below (only for 1957!). On either side the swoop spear with ribbed metal insert, and India Ivory background on the rear quarter is looking original. Door and fender panels are straight, rust free and mind their gaps very well. Exterior paint is showing some chipping, peeling off, and fading throughout. Bringing up the rear is another curved chrome encircled rear tinted glass, and a neatly curled around trunk lid which is flanked by the finned rear quarters complete with chrome and lower taillights. Standard chromed hub caps in dog dish style adorn Hankook Kinergy ST thin radials which look like the original bias plus that would have come with this car.

Interior
A swing of the door and the panels for said doors are looking original with like new broadcloth in flagstone pattern blue over black background. Turquoise vinyl inserts and dark blue ribbed bottoms add some contrast to the broadcloth and look like new. Inside the seats are in their original configuration with a split bench up front and a full bench in the rear. These are carefully covered with turquoise bolsters and have a bordering of white piping and more of the flagstone pattern broadcloth in ghost blue and black background. Seat backs use deep dark blue inserts within a border of more white piping. The back doors and bench present as the front does and all is very nicely redone. Dark blue carpeting floods the floors, and the single squared off bump up metal dash in full Turquoise metal jacket has some punched square aluminum banding in its center, a reproduction radio and original temp sliders and knobs. Below the dash are two aftermarket gauges hanging in a machined swirl pattern aluminum bezel. The headliner is near perfect and presents in turquoise vinyl panels neatly stitched and nice and tight.

Drivetrain
Under the hood in the unrestored engine bay now sits a 350ci V8 CLJ stamped putting out a proposed 245hp and is circa 1973. A 4bbl carburetor is atop an Edelbrock intake manifold, and a Powerglide 2-speed automatic is on back. The rear axle presents with a BB stamping code and is in 3.36 configuration. All under this hood is very nice, with some patina, orange/red block and some newer add ons bolted in. Noted are new parts are wheel cylinders and master cylinder, belts and hoses, a carb rebuild, radiator, and heater core is new, and the power steering has been refreshed.

Undercarriage
The first thing I notice is a peppering of surface rust on the black frame and floorboards, as well as suspension parts. All is still structurally sound though. Independent coil springs for the front and leaf springs for the back are on and drum brakes are on all 4 corners too. All body mount bushings can be seen as renewed.

Drive-Ability
That new 1973 350ci V8 fires right up and runs like a dream. Plenty of power on the acceleration front, and smooth shifting from the Powerglide 2-speed. All functions were working well, save for the radio, and it was a pleasurable test drive.

A nice example which has not been ratted, or rodded, or restoration-modded, just brought back to look original for 1957. Paint is less than desirable with plenty of faults but is definitely the right color. 90 percent of the work is all done, so hop in and enjoy the car and when you are ready, hit it with a fresh coat of paint. Talk about the top of one's game!

VIN DECODE
VC57B247241
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
57-1957
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
247241-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 1019D-BelAir 4 Door Sedan
BODY NO M24313-Baltimore Body #
TRIM NO 666-Black & Turquoise Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT NO 811-Tropical Turquoise, India Ivory

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.