1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

Cars like this handsome 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop remain popular year after year, and it's easy to understand why. They're handsome, comfortable, reliable cruisers that pluck at a lot of people's heart strings. This particular Bel Air exactly nails the original look and feel with a nicely done restoration that offers a few low-key upgrades to make it perhaps the ultimate cruise night vehicle.

Bodywork was well executed with good gaps and signs of a substantial investment in time and effort to get the panels straight and ripple-free. If you're going to use an original combination like Colonial Cream and India Ivory to attract all this attention, you'd better make sure the sheetmetal is straight, smooth, and well-aligned. It's got a few signs of use, maybe a chip here or there, but you can tell that this wasn't some cut-rate job that was done on the weekends. No, this looks great from any angle and holds up to the appreciative looks it's going to get on the highway. Much of the chrome has been re-plated, and given the costs of such work these days, it probably accounts for a big chunk the restoration costs. All the stainless was straightened and polished, and if there are any reproduction trim pieces on the car, they're indistinguishable from original. The gold anodized Chevrolet emblems front and rear, as well as the distinctive quarter panel inserts are all in very good condition as well. This Chevy is ready to rock.

Inside, the lovely black and yellow interior is the perfect complement to the creamy yellow bodywork. Workmanship on the interior is first-rate, and the materials are exact duplicates of the original stuff. There are no wrinkles or misaligned seams, suggesting that someone took their time, and while there are signs of use and age, there's nothing that needs attention. Unlike so many other '57s, it remains almost entirely stock inside, right down to the factory-issued AM radio, which is probably over-due for an upgrade (have you heard what they're playing on AM these days?). Original gauges show clear lenses and good original markings and the bright trim across the center of the dash still looks good. In the trunk, you'll find a correct rubber mat, spare tire with reproduction bias-ply tire, and even a complete jack assembly.

Power comes from a 283 cubic inch V8, which has been nestled into a nicely restored engine bay and treated to a few custom tricks. Obvious upgrades include the popular "Power Pack" option that featured a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, although this one now sports a modern Edelbrock 4-barrel under the shiny chrome air cleaner. Black on the engine really looks slick, especially with the contrasting yellow 'Chevrolet' script on the valve covers, which puts a neat spin on the OEM look. Other upgrades include power brakes with a dual reservoir master cylinder and a big radiator up front. The smart running V8 spins a 2-speed Powerglide automatic driving the original rear end. The underside is in good condition, with plenty of new stuff, including the dual exhaust system and gas tank, and there are disc brakes up front. The most visible upgrade is a set of Rally wheels, a popular upgrade, which carry 15-inch white letter performance radials that give the pretty hardtop a bit of attitude.

Despite building record numbers of 1957 Chevys, they remain very much in demand today. This speaks to both their enduring appeal to buyers as well as their inherent quality. This one, with an easy-cruising V8 powertrain and a high-quality restoration represents a great opportunity to own an icon. Call today!