1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sedan
Chevrolet designers were really hitting their stride in the mid 1950s with their Tri Fives, and you would arguably say the Magnum Opus was the last model of the Tri Five era...the 57 Chevrolet. Probably one of the most recognizable classic cars of all time, available in multiple body styles colors and with engine and transmission options. You'd be hard-pressed to go to any car show or cruise night without finding yourself at least one 1957 Chevrolet.
Bill Haley and the Comets were lighting up the charts, drive-in movies were all the rage for more reasons than one, and the poodle skirt had hit high schools across the country. And with this last year and considered the best year of the Tri Five era, and the highest end model in the Bel-Air. This one will not disappoint with all the right options, plenty of chrome trimmings and a finned rear.
Exterior
The 1957 version is always the talk of the town, and this one will have your town's tongues wagging. The shiny mirror like grille with its big bumper below an egg crate grille and single headlights framed by fenders with the beginnings of a trim spear above, it just does not get any better. Nice use of chrome to highlight the rockers. Above there is the ever widening spear that takes over the rear quarter panel and has a wonderful stainless steel insert panel complete with Bel Air script in your grandmother's handwriting along with a badge. On back are the chrome topped fins which on the driver's side magically flip open to reveal the filler for the gas. On the bottoms of these fins are half oval taillights with an arc bezel which intermixes with the protruding oval backlights and exhaust openings within the rear bumper. Twin radio antennas lean rearward and the panorama glass just in front of these is original to this car. Sierra Gold, and Adobe Beige paint adorn this two tone work of 1957 bowtie art.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we see copper vinyl with embossed circle pattern mixed with light cream strips making up the clean door panel floating in a sea of black cloth. Cranks and levers are very good as is armrest. Looking inside a very clean bench with more of the cream and Sierra Gold with black broadcloth for your posterior. The rear bench follows form of the front seats. The dash is showroom with copper painted top dash, cream instrument cluster, steering column. A cream colored steering wheel with a leatherette wrap fronts the instrument cluster. An aluminum band with a mini square pattern adds an accent strip to the dash and houses various knobs, clock and a factory AM radio. Copper colored clean thick pile carpet floods the floors and has some black rubber Chevrolet emblazoned protective floor mats on top.
Drivetrain
We swing open the hood and are greeted with a well restored but slightly patinaed engine bay. Sitting within the front fenders we see the venerable Blue Flame 235ci 140hp inline six cylinder. The silly living up to its name sake as it is covered valve cover to oil pan in Chevrolet blue paint. Topped off with a one-barrel carburetor and backed up by a two-speed automatic Powerglide transmission the six cylinder send power back to 3.36 conventional axle.
Undercarriage
Showing off with no invasive rust, plenty of undercoating, clean parts for the independent front suspension with coil springs and rear suspension with leaf springs, we see solid frame, rockers and floorpans. Nary even a drip from the bottom end of this engine and transmission which is great and rare. Drum brakes are on all 4 corners and a stock exhaust has surface rust but is in good shape.
Drive-Ability
Sitting behind this wheel brought me right back to 1957 in my parent's car with my best gal at the drive-in. The 235ci I6 lit right up and took me quickly around the test track, handling very well, panic stopping straight, and provided a nice quiet cruise. All controls were in full working order and it was a nice experience.
Redone in the original colors of Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige with a copper black and cream colored interior this car harkens back to 1957 in every way shape and form. This writer was taken back to a much simpler and happier time. The golden age of automobiles, the 1950s, who could ask for anything more? Well maybe an extra cherry on top of my root beer float at the malt shop.
VIN DECODE
C57B201390
C-2400 Series BelAir
57-1957
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
201390-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 57 1019D-1957 Bel Air 4 Door Sedan
BODY NO M1805-Baltimore Body #
TRIM NO 667-Black, Copper, & Beige Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT NO 818-Sierra Gold & Adobe Beige
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.