1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop
Imagine a car so popular that a new term came to be based on that design. That name is Tri-Five, which refers to 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevrolet automobiles, in particular the Bel Air, 150, 210, and the Nomad. With beautiful proportions and new skins each of those successive years, and a thorough peppering of chrome, these cars produced in this time became iconic. From all original to highly modified versions, many Tri-Five clubs have sprung up to showcase individuality, originality, and the beloved Chevrolet concepts of Harley Earl and his team.
Gracing our numerous showrooms here at Classic Auto Mall are many examples from the Tri-Five's most glorious year, 1957. This one stands out amongst the others with its clean red paint, near flawless interior, oh and did I mention, it's the top of the line model in the Bel Air. This baby is dressed in Matador Red and has a gorgeous black textured flagstone patio pattern broadcloth with red vinyl interior. Restored in the 1970's and treated to a repaint in 2008, this Bel Air is still looking great today. Timeless lines, gobs of chrome, and fins baby...it doesn't get any better than this!
Exterior
Straight rust-free steel panels draped in Matador Red cover the exterior of this car. A white ribbed fin panel is inserted on the rear quarters and has gold Bel Air badging in your grandmother's handwriting along with a cloisonn© bowtie badge. Upfront two jet age hood inserts fly forward leaving a jet trail in the form of a small bump that dies at the windshield. The smiling front grille is all very nicely chromed and has a large lower bumper complete with two small Dagmars with rubber tips. The correct for Bel Air trim gold egg crate is buried within the smile. A swoop trim spear runs from the headlights to the rear quarter where it divides and allows for the ribbed insert. More Matador Red paint for the roof, and more chrome trim around the windows. The rear of the car now goes full bore with the vertical fins all trimmed in chrome with the crescent moon tail lights and backup lights melting into a clean and mirror-like chrome bumper. A note to this car's exterior paint, it is nearly faultless with only some minor inclusions and orange peel. 14-inch wheels with Chevrolet cloisonn© badged faux "spinner" wheel covers and wide whites are on all 4 corners with the rears being partially obscured by the very 50's fender skirts.
Interior
Dripping in 50's styling there is abundant use of the nifty broadcloth that has a fine red bordered flagstone pattern stitched into a black background. This greets red vinyl and is used this way on the door panels, and the seats. Also add in twin silver chromed buttons in the mid section of each back for these classic chairs. A nice red dash is upfront and has the upwardly mobile curved cove for the instrument cluster and turn signal lights. Cutting through the middle of the dash is a chromed mesh horizontal trim that houses the radio, updated Air Tech aftermarket heat & AC slides and various control knobs. Beautiful black carpet floods the floors, and a tight pristine red headliner is floating above all this 50's design.
Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and we are met with the beautifully restored 1957 version of the V8 engine bay. It is truly an engineering wonder holding within a 283ci V8. This engine sports an Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock 600cfm 4-barrel carburetor. A 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission is on back and throws power rearward to a 3.36 rear axle. Showroom tidy and clean here with tons of chrome dress up, supple hoses and cleanly run wiring.
Undercarriage
Following the cues up top, the underneath is totally rust free with lightly patinaed black for the flooring frame and rockers. It is just near perfect with a light sprinkling of surface rust and some lightly rusted dual exhaust with Cherrybomb mufflers. Independent coil springs are the front suspension, and leaf springs bring up the rear. An upgrade on the brakes was performed and now we have front power discs and rear power drums providing the whoah factor.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and idled smoothly, shifted effortlessly, and the 283ci V8 propelled us forward in a serious manner. All functions were working, save for the AC blowing cool but not cold and the engine stumbling a little under full throttle conditions.
A very nicely preserved Bel Air, awesome exterior paint and trimmings, stunningly retro interior, updated brakes and a blinged out engine, which is marvelous to look at and ponder, and a clean and rust free undercarriage. An older restoration still looking showroom fresh and holding its own in our South mallway. Money...burns a hole in my pocket...
VC57S170127
V-V8
C-2400 Series
57-1957
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
170127-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
