1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop is truly one of those no-compromises old cars. It's one of the most popular cars ever built and retains its awesome original look, stock 283 V8 Power Pack mated to a Powerglide, and a factory suspension setup, so it drives and feels like a '57 should, not some modern hybrid. But it's also been upgraded with a few top-flight options that make motoring more pleasant if you're the kind of guy who hits the road on a moment's notice.

Tropical Turquoise and India Ivory are the archetypal '57 Chevy colors, and for good reason. It's a high-profile car no matter what color you paint it, but the bright blue only emphasizes the look. Good straight bodywork is mandatory on a car of this caliber, so spending the extra time and money to get it right has paid off here. The restoration was finished not long ago, so it still carries a great shine that will sparkle at shows and makes other cars look downright shabby in comparison. All the standard Bel Air glitz is there, including the anodized quarter panel trim, polished stainless strips along the tops of the fins, and the brightly chromed bumpers fore and aft that look great. Further bling includes twin hood-mounted 'rockets' up front and fender skirts in the rear, giving it a pure 1950s look that everyone loves. And for easy driving, you'll find twin exterior rear-view mirrors for safety and the gold anodized badging and front grille trim reminds onlookers that there's a 283 cubic inch V8 Power Pack under the hood, and that this is a top-of-the-line Bel Air through and through.

Few interiors in cars at any price point in 1957 looked better than Chevy's two-tone cloth and vinyl setup. Particularly dramatic in matching black and turquoise, it paints a bright picture in an already very colorful car. Everything has been expertly restored to stock condition, including the steering wheel and horn ring, instruments, and of course all the soft parts. The carpets are protected by slick blue floor mats with Chevrolet emblems on their faces, and the original radio still lives in the dash so it looks right. There's also an under-dash A/C system that blows ice-cold, R134a-treated air throughout the cabin, an original AM radio in the dash (although it's not currently operable), and the giant dual-ring steering wheel was restored and painted to match the color scheme. Power seats up front and power windows round out the rather unusual, yet hefty, options list on this beautiful car. And if you take a closer look at the glove compartment, that autograph is from Fred Fisher II, of Fisher Body automobile coachbuilder fame. With a correct rubber mat and a full-sized, bias-ply spare tire and wheel assembly, the trunk is finished properly as well.

The 283 cubic inch V8 still makes all the right 1957 sounds and has that unmistakable small block growl, thanks to a rebuild to factory specs. It's a Power-Pac car that features a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust for a bit more horsepower, and for the most part they kept it pretty much the way the factory intended. Chevy Orange paint, matching Chevrolet script valve covers, and a factory generator all make it look like it's 1957 all over again. There are some tasteful deviations from stock though, including the addition of an Optima gel-cell battery and a modern A/C compressor, and if you closer you'll see this Bel Air comes stacked with power steering and power brakes as well. The PowerGlide 2-speed automatic transmission makes this is an easy car to drive, and it, too, has been completely attended to and works very smoothly. The underside is not overly detailed but plenty solid with no signs of worry, and satin black paint dusted on the pans, frame, and most of the suspension components. Replaced shocks help set the car's awesome stance and the dual exhaust system below gives it a nice V8 burble that we've all come to know and love. Bright Turquoise steelies adorned with Bel Air hubcaps and spinner look simply amazing on this classic, and they're wrapped with period-perfect styled BFGoodrich 7.50-15 whitewall radials to reinforce the correct look.

Smartly restored and incredibly well finished, this is the '57 you've been hoping to find, combining all the things that make '57 Chevys so popular, with impressive presentation. Call now!