LEGENDARY AMERICAN STYLE, POWERED BY AN UPGRADED 350 LT1, 4L60E AUTO, FRONT DISC

Description

There are a lot of '57 Chevys out there. Heck, just look through our inventory and you'll find 20 or so nice ones. But if you like the stock look but a more modern driving experience, this handsome light blue 2-door post sedan offers some nice upgrades that make it look old and feel new. And that, we've found, is always a winning combination.Yes, we're kind of tired of the bright red '57s, too, so this Tropical Turquoise Bel Air comes as somewhat of a breath of fresh air. No doubt it's got that pastel look that only '50s cars can pull off successfully, and combined with the bright Bel Air trim and a white top it has a period-correct look. Remarkably, the paint is 26 years old, and with that in mind, it's pretty amazing. It isn't perfect and there are a few signs of use here and there, but I don't think you'll get any complaints at shows when you're driving this car. Gaps are good, the sheetmetal is straight, and quite honestly, the car has a lovely old-school patina to it that only adds to its appeal. Sure, you could repaint it and make it perfect, but I think that would be a mistake. All the original trim is in place, and despite the presence of an LT1 under the hood, they kept it as-delivered without the stylized V or flag emblems on the nose, suggesting this was originally a 6-cylinder car. Nice chrome bumpers, beautifully polished stainless, and an overall look of a car that's been loved make this Bel Air very appealing.The interior is simple but offers important upgrades to make it a fantastic cruiser. It was presumably done at the same time as the bodywork, so it's a bit dated, but it's also comfortable and spacious, making this Bel Air perfect for long-range cruising like the Power Tour. Those are factory seats underneath the custom blue seat covers, and attractive custom door panels were created to match, tying it all together nicely. Dark blue carpets with matching original-style mats make it feel grown-up and serious inside, a nice contrast to the playful pastel paint. Upgrades like air-conditioning and an AM/FM/cassette stereo system mean this car is daily-driver friendly and the original shifter has been reconfigured to work with the 4L60E 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission. Factory gauges and a restored steering wheel make the view authentic from the driver's seat, and the trunk gets a nice upgrade in the form of full carpets and a space-saver spare.The engine is a Corvette-spec LT1 350 cubic inch V8, one of the very best powerplants to come out of GM. Reliable, smooth, and impressively powerful, it's a natural for updating this old Chevy. Obviously it's a neat fit and with factory fuel injection, it starts, idles, and runs superbly under almost any conditions. An aftermarket serpentine belt system drives the accessories, and there's a modern dual-reservoir master cylinder with front disc brakes for safety. The suspension is pretty stock save for a big front sway bar, and the dual Flowmaster exhaust gives it a hot rod sound that you'll find irresistible. The rear is upgraded to a stout Ford 9-inch with 3.50 gears inside, so this Bel Air just loafs along on the highway. And it really is hard to go wrong with Rally wheels, especially with fat 225/60/15 radial wrapped around them.A wonderful combination of old school looks and some modern tech, this is a highly usable '57 that really does offer the best of both worlds. Call today!