The Tri-Five Chevrolets are a staple of the classic car scene, and they have been for decades. They continue to grow in popularity with each passing year, which naturally means that values also increase. It is possible that as we get older, we can become more cynical about certain things. This is hard to avoid, but it can happen. That’s why I would like you to take a careful look at this 1957 Bel Air. It looks pretty tidy, and it has generated some intense interest and bidding since it was listed for sale here on eBay. However, it does have some character quirks that have caused a degree of head-scratching. The owner states that the 23,000 miles showing on the odometer are genuine. If that is accurate, it makes this an extraordinary car. It’s a matter of sifting through the photos to determine whether they gel with the claims. However, it is the quirkiness of this one that will raise a few eyebrows, and we’ll get to that matter shortly. If you would like to take this one further, you will find it located in New Baltimore, Michigan. The bidding has reached $19,101 in a No Reserve auction.
The Bel Air is finished in a combination of Colonial Cream and India Ivory. The owner admits that the vehicle has received a past repaint and that a previous owner performed this about 15-years-ago. The paint looks pretty respectable, with a healthy shine and no significant defects. Now we need to address the elephant in the room on this one. More astute readers might perceive something a bit odd with this Bel Air, and it took me a moment to cotton onto it. When you look at the side proportions of this car, especially the doors and the side window openings, it is evident that this car started life as a 4-door Hardtop, but someone has performed a 2-door conversion. That also explains why the side chrome strips join an odd place for a 2-door and why the side trim insert isn’t present. When you delve through the listing text, the owner admits that he purchased the car as a 2-door and was later told by someone that it had been converted. Whoever performed the conversion has used the standard front doors, and has welded the back ones closed! That’s an odd approach, but it should mean that the body remains structurally sound. There are a couple of rust bubbles emerging in the lower fenders, but the rest of the exterior, the floors, and the frame all look extremely clean. The tinted glass looks pretty respectable, but the Rally wheels aren’t original. However, when you consider the changes that have been made to this Bel Air, they are the least of its problems!
This was another photo that had me querying the mileage claims made by the seller. It has nothing to do with the upholstered surfaces because their condition is in keeping with a car that shows 23,000 miles on its odometer. There are no rips or tears and no evidence of any wear or staining. Although the bright trim pieces could stand to have a meeting with a polishing cloth, the dash generally looks pretty good. There have been no aftermarket additions, and the dash still houses its original clock and AM radio. For me, the steering wheel raises the most crucial question when it comes to the mileage claim. If a car has 23,000 miles on it, that’s barely broken in. I would expect a steering wheel to be in a pristine state. I would be willing to accept chips and marks as a possibility, but I would not expect to see significant signs of wear. Sadly, there is plenty on this wheel, which I find odd. If you focus on the region where the spokes meet the rim, the color has worn away entirely. I would expect that on a car that has rolled over at least once, not on a low-mileage survivor as this is claimed to be.
The owner states that the 235ci six-cylinder engine that we find under the hood is original and that it is backed by a 2-speed Powerglide transmission. So far, so good. This six should be producing 140hp, and with the Powerglide attached, that would allow the Bel Air to cover the ¼ mile in 21 seconds. That’s not fast, but then again, this is not a muscle car either. A previous owner has made some changes, and those Rally wheels conceal front disc brakes. The owner claims that the ’57 runs and drives well, and this YouTube video allows us to hear it running. I have to say that the 235 sounds crisp and clean, with no smoke or odd noises.
What do you think? In the time that I’ve been writing for Barn Finds, I’ve seen some interesting cars. This one is a bit of a head-scratcher, and you aren’t likely to find an identical one in a hurry. That begs the question of what to do with it. The conversion is an odd one, and if I were considering following that path, I might have approached it in a way that made everything marry up like a genuine 2-door Hardtop. Now that you’ve taken a closer look, what would you do with this Bel Air?
I’m honestly fascinated by the idea that someone bought this without realizing it was a 4-to-2-door conversion, and had to be told that after the fact.
Yet, despite the major surgery, aftermarket parts, AND a repaint covering up the rust and body filler, it is listed as “all original” and a “survivor”. I don’t believe for one second it’s only seen 23,000 miles. Who told the seller that—the guy he bought it from, who claimed it was a real 2-door hardtop?
But what do I know? 30 bids have been placed on this rusty, 6-cylinder Frankencar, for nearly $20,000. So apparently I’m missing something here.
As with most Ebay Motors auctions anymore, it appears that half of those bids are “shill” bidders with zero feedback. You are not missing something, it is just another case of dishonest people in the Ebay community, which unfortunately, seems to be the “new normal”.
First of all it’s a 57 Chevy which creates interest. But then it’s a six cylinder automatic, value goes down. Then it’s a restyled 4 door hardtop into a 2 door hardtop. Value drops more. Then you start to see things like what options does it have? Power steering? Power brakes? Electric windows? Electric seat? No options value drops. Color change=value drop. Then there are some good points bumpers don’t need chrome plating. Value remains. Grille is nice= value begins to increase. Interior is good=value increases slightly. Then you compare with other 57 Chevy cars and compare prices? What exactly is a car like this worth? It all depends on the what someone is willing to pay.
God bless America
The “owner” is a dealer. This seller currently have several other cars listed on top of the 20 cars they have sold over the last 90 days. They likely brought up “someone told me it was a 4 door converted into a 2 door” and that “miles are exempt on vehicles 10 years old and older in Michigan” to cover their behind if the deal goes south.
As seen time and time again, a good story and shiny paint will sell a car, often for more money than it should. Buyers tend to be gullible and are becoming more so as time passes even though the ability to educate themselves about potential problems has never been easier.
Steve R
You’ve got to be kidding me !
Who in their right mind would pay that kind of money for that thing .
Asking for a friend. How do you get into the back seat?
Crook
High jump routine?
If I remember correctly, all it takes is a hot date!
I believe he has his states confused. The inspection sticker looks like the outline of West Virginia, not Virginia. A lot more salt used in West Virginia on the roads than in most of Virginia. That would explain the rust.
I doubt I would have noticed the differences without the disclaimer but you can clearly see them – particularly the rear roofline- when you do a side by side comparison with an unaltered 210.
I want to see a good photo of the back seat. Unless they did something major I can assume you can still see that there were doors there…
Yeah the seller just conveniently forgot to take any pics of the rear seat area which would show how the surgery was performed on those back doors. I said in another post this guy was slick. Here is even more proof.
IMO it would be worth more if they hadn’t modified the doors on it. It just doesn’t look right to me the way it stands.
I’m no expert, but when I saw the picture, I knew something was wrong. Yup, a 4 door HT converted. I also can’t see if the front seat is split or not, but if it is, that’s not original to the car either. This would have been better left as a 4 dr ht. I can’t believe it is bid that high. To me, it’s just a donor car
The four door hardtops were almost as pretty as the two doors. 56 is my favorite year for the 4dht. Very nice family car so the whole crew can go and not have to crawl out of the back seat. But I would rather have a Bronze/cream with black and bronze gut two door hardtop.
Yes it’s a shame that someone ruined a perfectly good Sport Sedan. The 4-door hardtops are fairly rare. They should not have done this odd conversion. It’s just as bad as sawing off the top of a sedan and making it a “convertible.”
When I first took a look at this 57, something struck me saying something is not right. After blowing up the picture you can almost see the outlines of back doors. I’m sure in person you could really tell.the guy that said he was dumped into buying it as a 2 door,I think he’s the person who did it and did’nt want to take the blame, what ashame.
What does tri-five refer to?
Tri-five refers to 55,56,57 Chevy models.
Tri-five , three years 55 , 56 , 57 Chevy .
Based on the picture of the interior, the front seat is NOT split, so the question remains: how to get in the back seat? An awful tight squeeze unless the entire seat back leans forward.
Anyone dumb enough to pay 20K+ for this deserves what they get.
123,000 miles. It’s appalling the increasing lack of honesty in business.
Possible 223,000 miles? To hear people selling old cars, you would swear they were hardly ever driven.
There’s nothing wrong with converting a 4 door to a 2 door, if it’s done right. Sometimes you can pick up two old vehicles that are ready for the bone yard. One could be a four door, the other a Two door, The four door could have a great frame, the 2 door great parts, remove the roof from two door, line it up on four door, then the rest is up to you to complete the job. Maybe a lot of readers will disagree, but what the heck, You created something that’s is different, but also unique !
How do you get in the back seat?
Crawl through the window – just like NASCAR!
As soon as I looked at this car, without reading anything about it, I knew it looked out of proportion for a 2-door. I looked closely at the side view of it to see if I just didn’t see the rear door handle or the crack in the sheet metal where the door would be. Then I began to read the text and realized that oh yes it had been a 4-door!
Oh yes, it also has the “V8 hood” and the “6-cylinder” trunk lid. This car is just a mish mash of all sorts of things.
And as far as the low mileage goes, I would ask the owner for proof of it. I have never claimed low mileage on a car I sold unless I could prove it.
Also, why is the trunk lid ajar? Is this because it’s ridiculously out of adjustment or it just isn’t shut? If it’s because it’s not shut, why in the world would the seller take pics of a car for sale with the trunk lid open?
To the author, yes, the majority of us realize the Rally Wheels aren’t original. I can’t stand Rally Wheels unless they are used on a car which originally had them. And on top of that, these Rally Wheels have the “police car” flat center caps and I really think those are UGLY!
And the seller’s disclaimer to get rid of this car is the part where he says the guy he bought it from said it was a 2-door hardtop while some other people have told him it was a 4-door converted to a 2-door. Now, no one can come back and claim he represented it as a 2-door HT. This guy thinks he’s slick.
This is one of those cars and sellers I would run away from as fast as I could.
Ended:Jun 09, 2021 , 8:00PM
Winning bid:
US $20,101.00
[ 32 bids ]
Last time it “sold” at auction 6/2/2021, the buyer backed out. I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens again.
Steve R
I smell bad fish.