1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

Go to any car show today and you'd be hard-pressed to imagine that in 1957, 4-door sedans were the most popular body style. It seems like most of the convertibles and hardtops survived just fine, but finding a 1957 Chevrolet 4-door is next to impossible today. And finding one that has been restored to original specifications? Unheard of! So if you're looking for something different, but still stylish and maybe even a little practical, how about this lovely '57 Chevy Bel Air sedan?

This car was originally India Ivory, but a few years back someone decided that it needed a little more punch, so Coral was chosen for the body whilst the roof and pillars remained the original hue for a wonderful, period-correct combination. The cool sail panel on the rear quarters is still there, and as a Bel Air, it's a lovely anodized aluminum piece that's the model's most distinctive feature. And although certainly not perfect, the finish on this sedan is really good. Not often do you see restored 4-door sedans, do you? Fit and finish are impressive, and the paint job is older but of very good quality, and a professional cut-and-buff would really kick it up a notch. All that chrome and stainless probably cost a fortune to restore/replace, and all of it remains in very good condition. Details include beautiful chrome bumpers fore and aft, and those trademark bullet-shaped hood ornaments that probably gave Ralph Nader nightmares. Seriously, I just can't get over how great this car presents, especially for a four-door sedan.

The interior also sports a correct two-tone black and silver interior that has been restored using correct fabrics and patterns. The Bel Air four-door sedan offered six-passenger comfort with a modicum of style that extended throughout the entire lineup, and it's every bit as luxurious and stylish as its hardtop brothers. Plush black carpets provide great insulation from heat and noise alike, and the lovely Chevy dashboard matches everything very nicely. The gauges are just as flashy as in the other models, too, including the separate pods for fuel level and temperature above that ribbon of bright metal trim. There's also an original heater/defroster unit, and excellent glass throughout the cabin. The trunk offers a reproduction rubber mat and plenty of room for luggage and car show goodies.

Powering the 'ol girl is a 235 cubic inch inline-six, which is the largest and most fully developed of the Chevy sixes and it was standard equipment with the PowerGlide automatic transmission. It's also smooth and torquey, so it bops around town in a way that's distinctly different from the usual V8. There are signs of regular maintenance and careful ownership throughout the tidy and clean engine bay. Wearing corporate Chevy Orange engine enamel, it looks right and even things like the big valve cover, air cleaner assembly, and exhaust manifold are correct. You will also spot an original generator, but it's 12-volt equipped judging by the modern battery. The PowerGlide 2-speed automatic transmission shifts firmly right about the moment you think it won't, and from there the strong-running six will pull this car around effortlessly at highway speeds. The suspension rides and handles quite well, with a polished feeling you wouldn't typically expect from a vintage Chevrolet. It's quite clean underneath and it sits on a set of appropriate-looking 205/75/14 whitewall radials wrapped around steel wheels with stock hubcaps that really dress it up.

Don't make the mistake of overlooking this sedan if you're in the market for a '57 Chevy-from behind the wheel it feels exactly like a hardtop. Call today!