Here’s a 1957 Chevrolet that presents the dilemma of whether to preserve the patina or eventually chase a trophy, but the good news is that both seem viable. It features the rare Dusk Pearl and Imperial Ivory color combo, with the 822D trim-tag code verifying this car left the factory wearing this two-tone paint scheme. It’s also the top-of-the-line Bel Air and mostly complete, with the mileage listed at 12,825, so this seems like a desirable Chevy no matter what you’ve got in mind. This Tri-Five is priced at $19,950 and can be found here on Craigslist in Edmonds, Washington. Curvette, thanks for the excellent tip here!
The seller says this one has been with the second owner for the last 40 years, and while it’s nowhere near perfect, at least it hasn’t been passed around over and over like many mid-fifties Chevys. This one’s described as being super straight with good gaps, but it’s also showing a bit of light rust, including an area in the right quarter where a rat’s nest once resided. Yuck! I could see a beautiful result with some minor bodywork and a respray, but that’s also a pretty cool patina on the hood, so delaying exterior improvements and just driving this one for a while isn’t necessarily a bad idea either.
Under the hood is a 283 engine with a 2-barrel carburetor, and if it’s still the factory component, it would have received a factory horsepower rating of 185. It’s reported that 10,000 miles have been covered since the V8 was rebuilt, but if the 12k mileage claim is correct, that overhaul could have possibly happened decades ago. It’s said not to smoke and deliver great oil pressure, plus the automatic transmission is stated to shift properly, so hopefully no major mechanical work will be needed here anytime soon.
The interior could use fresh upholstery and a new steering-wheel centerpiece, but the dash and instruments still appear to be in decent cosmetic condition overall. We also get to take a peek inside the trunk area, which seems very solid, and I hope everything down under looks as good as it does in here. This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air seems stronger than many unrestored examples, and I’m torn about whether to treat this one as an immediate project or just enjoy driving it around for a few seasons. What would you do here?
This is the same dealer whose patina covered 1962 Grand Prix was featured on this site a few days ago.
Not sure I’m buying the mileage claim, there is no up close picture of the speedometer for verification.
Steve R
From what I can see, this car has more than its share of rust and I think it’s about to become a Flintstone-mobile if the floor that’s visible is any indication. I’d have to repair at least some of the rust before even considering the car a daily driver. That color, while attractive , wasn’t that rare. I’ve seen more than a few of them. And 12k miles? It’s a dealer selling it, and I’m a candidate for the 2028 presidential election if that’s true mileage..
These old odometers, can be tweaked to show whatever miles you want. This is no 12,000 mile car!
I wish the authors on this site would include something simple, like the word “unverified” when a seller makes a mileage claim based on the speedometer reading, without that they appear to imply approval.
Steve R
Hood patina looks more like Katrina.
That’s a first for me! I’ve never seen a 57 Chevy with a vinyl top before, must have been done in the 70’s. This one would be beautiful restored.
The only ’57 Chevy we restored for customers was a white over dust pearl metalic 4 door we bought in Kansas for them from a 90 year old lady original owner. Repainted the dust pearl and put new upholstery on the front seat. Biggest job was removing the acreage of trim. Car had a tube type garage door opener which she must have used a lot because she said the reason she was selling the car was the garage door was getting smaller and scraping the sides of the car. Came out beautiful as will this car when it’s restored.