1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air is one of the most recognized and beloved classics of all time. Its clean lines, tasteful trim and excellent proportions make for the 1957 version to be a favorite of the Tri-Five fan. The fins were just right, grille proportions correct, and it is undoubtedly the most desirable of the group.
For consignment the highest end car offered in the Tri-Five lineup the Chevrolet Bel Air. This year it was felt that it hit its mark right on the bullseye with the shapes and proportions. This beauty has undergone a recent respray from the trim line down and has plenty of engine upgrades to a replacement engine. A well-done car, which eliminates some of the worries of an all original car.
Exterior
Sierra Gold drapes the panels of this car, with a beautifully shined trim spear just below the belt line which flares into a larger panel on the rear quarter in stainless prior to ending abruptly on the rear fin. Speaking of trim, the remaining fender toppers, B pillar trim and window wraparound trim is all in excellent shiny mirror-like chromed condition. Wrap around glass for the front windscreen, and slightly on the rear create a passenger bubble with frames of chrome. In front we have the lower smiling grille wrapped in a wide curve above and a massive small Dagmar bumper below which curves around the front quarter. Single headlights for either side flank a curved down hood that sports twin chromed rockets jetting from the windshield. 14-inch standard Bel Air trim wheel covers are on all 4 corners. Gaps are all minding their spaces between each other well, and steel is straight and rust free all around.
Interior
A more squared off dash instrument cluster for this year presents itself in cream and has symmetrically placed round gauges embedded within it. A tilt steering wheel column holds a resorted steering wheel in matching cream, and an inner circle chrome horn rim. Just below all this gauge cluster runs a band of screen chromed metal mesh, which houses all the knobs and pulls as well as the ignition. Directly below this is an aftermarket tachometer. Moving along this mesh area is a Pioneer Super Tuner AM/FM/Cassette Player, and some badging above the Sierra Gold matching lower dash band which houses the glovebox. A trio of additional gauges hangs below the dash and is within eye reach of the driver. Snazzy black insert with patio stone pattern and white bolster cloth cover the front split back bench and rear bench. Deep orange (gold) carpet floods the floors and has some black protective mats installed above. In the middle of the hump upfront is a B&M shifter. Above, a nice whitey tighty headliner hangs above.
Drivetrain
A circa 1974 350ci V8 which consigner states was bored .30 over is topped with 1978 heads that have 1.94i and 1.5 valves. An Edelbrock 2101 Performer intake is on top of the block, and this feed is controlled by a Holley 600 CFM 4-barrel, #0-8004. Consigner states that inside lurks an Edelbrock performer hydraulic cam with roller chain, a Chevrolet forged .010 under crank, forged TRW .030 over pistons with TRW Moly Melling high volume oil pump. On back is a GM 350 Turbo race prep transmission which pushes power rearward to a 3.36 gear axle.
Undercarriage
The frame and suspension are all solid on this car with virtually no rust. Floorpans look good and have a heavy coat of rustproofing spray on them. Unfortunately, there is some invasive prior rust through on the inner rockers near the wheel wells. Body hangers appear structurally sound near the mid rockers as does frame. New brakes all drums have been recently installed as well as new lines.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and after a short warmup it was off to the test track where this car performed well as we took it through the paces. A bit of excessive body roll when going into the turns, but good handling, good acceleration and a thumbs up to the brakes which worked very well. All interior functions can be reported operational.
A good looker, and a cooker on the street, this restored car with upgraded engine (consigner stated specs), redux retro interior, rust free exterior, and fine engine bay. A 1957 very desirable Bel Air with all the work done. Just race on down to Classic Auto Mall and drive her away into the Sierra Gold sunset!
VIN Decode
VC57T307523
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
57-1957
T-Tarrytown, NY Assy Plant
307523-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE # 57 1037D-1957 Belair 2 Door Hardtop
BODY # T18742-Tarrytown Body #
TRIM # 674-Black, Copper, Beige
PAINT # 818-Adobe Beige, Sierra Gold
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 500 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.