1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Hardtop 

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 Bel Air, 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.

Gracing our numerous showrooms here at Classic Auto Mall is an example from the Tri-Five's most glorious year, 1957.  Also the top dog of the Chevrolet lineup, the Bel Air.  This example started life in Colorado and eventually wound up in the capable hands of our consignor who used the car in the early 90's as his Pharmacy delivery car.  I'd call that a prescription for continued business and success!  The proud owners also utilized it as the star shuttle in their children's weddings.  Now retirement and dreams of living the life of spending quality time with his wife have prompted it to go to another owner so they can make new memories.  Gosh after reading this I'm all shook up!  Or do I see love letters in the sand?

Exterior
Fairly straight steel panels draped in Sierra Gold cover the exterior of this car.  Some beginnings of rust are seen bubbling below the surface particularly on the lowers near the rockers.  An occasional area of previous bondo repairs is evident on this driver example.  Upfront two jet age hood inserts fly forward leaving a jet trail in the form of a small bump that dies at the windshield.  The smiling front grille inspired by Ferrari of all people, is all very nicely plated in '57 gold and has a large lower bumper complete with two small Dagmars with rubber tips.  A swoop trim spear runs from the headlights with their eyelid shaped chrome bezels to its crescendo of fanning out at the rear quarter.  A white ribbed fin panel is inserted on the rear quarters and has gold Bel Air badging in your grandmother's handwriting along with a cloisonné bowtie badge.  On top, Adobe Beige paint on the roof, and more chrome trim around the windows.  Roof paint is suffering from cracking and crazing, as well as some peel off with underlying rust.  The rear of the car now goes full bore 50's motif, with the vertical fins canting inward to the rear bumper, all trimmed in chrome with the crescent moon tail lights and backup lights melting into a clean and mirror-like chrome bumper.  On the downturn of the trunk lid is a widened gold V with more “Chevrolet” grandmother's handwriting gold badging.  14-inch wheels with Bel Air trimmed dog dish wheel covers wrapped in E70-14's wide whites are on all 4 corners.  Also a shout out to the wrap append front and rear glass as well as their trimmings which are in good condition. Just the right formulation and not generic!

Interior
Dripping in 50's styling there is abundant use of the nifty broadcloth that has a cream bordered flagstone pattern stitched into a black background.  These panels are seen on the door uppers and lowers, and are broken up by a white vinyl central panel that becomes ever wider as it makes its way from the hinges to the latch.  Within this panel is a white armrest and some shiny handles and actuators.  The panels show some tears and ripping, particularly on the gold vinyl lowers next to the rockers.  Slipping our eyes inside a more nifty 50's design with dual full bench seats which the front resides within a gold tub.  Seats sport more of the black background cream stitched flagstone pattern for the inserts that have the pleasure of housing  2 white buttons on their uppers and have solid flagstone lowers.  What vinyl is reserved for the bolsters and back surrounds.  Gold piping surrounds the delineation between the panels on these chairs and shows some cracking.  Also a few seams have opened up at the edges on various panels.  A nice cream painted dash is upfront and has the upwardly mobile curved cove for the instrument cluster and turn signal lights which are within deep cone shaped bezels.  A centrally located round speedo is flanked by metal encased smaller rounds on either side, and show fuel gauge and temp gauge.   Cutting through the middle of the dash is a chromed mesh horizontal trim that houses the radio, and various control knobs.  Dash uppers and lowers are full metal jacket and are also bathed in the Sierra Gold.  Like new Sierra gold carpet floods the floors and a tight off white headliner is floating above all this 50's design.  Tutti frutti, oh rootie… A wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom!

Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and we are met with the unrestored engine bay, and stuffed inside is a 1957 version of a 283ci V8.  On top 2 barrels feed fossils and air to this mill, (not know if original to the car).  A 2-speed Powerglide transmission is on back and throws power rearward to a 3.36 rear axle.   A shout out to the engine bay which is presenting nicely for a '57 driver.  THE perfect dosage of power and looks for this example.

Undercarriage
A fine coating of surface rust is noted throughout the undercarriage.  Exhaust is clean and rust free.  Noted is some invasive rust on the passenger's side lower front door, and lighter invasive rust on the all doors lower sills.  Independent coil spring front suspension is on and leaf springs for the back.  Drum braking is all around.  Make sure you don't drive this baby on an empty stomach. (Tongue In Cheek)

Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and ran smoothly, shifted effortlessly, and the 2bbl 283 cuber propelled us forward in a serious manner.  All functions, save for the heater blower, even the radio, were working swimmingly at the time of the test drive.

Just the proper pill with a mix of Sierra Gold, flagstone pattern interior, 283ci of V8 power and a 2bbl carb all looking smart, and a true driver survivor which one can turn the key and go.  If you want you can give it some TLC to make it uniquely yours, or just drive it for fun.  I see a diagnosis of a 57 in your garage in the very near future.  Where's my Xanax?

VC57L137750

V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
57-1957
L-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
137750-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

STYLE 57 1039D-1957 BelAir 4 Door Sedan
BODY VN6149-Los Angeles Body #
TRIM 674-Black, Copper, & Beige Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT 818D-Adobe Beige & Sierra Gold
EZ1-Tinted Glass

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.