Fins dominated American vehicle styling during the 1950s, proving so popular that they found their way across the globe to Europe and Australia. They probably peaked in 1959 on brands like Cadillac, but Chevrolet adopted a more elegant approach with the 1957 Bel Air. These cars have become iconic in the classic world, enjoying decades of popularity. This ’57 Sport Coupe presents nicely, featuring a few sensible and tasteful upgrades. It has no apparent needs, allowing the new owner to enjoy all that it offers. The seller has listed the Bel Air here on eBay in Locust, North Carolina. Bidding sits below the reserve at $8,100, although there is a BIN option of $32,000 for those tempted to throw caution to the wind.
The seller has been this Bel Air’s custodian since late 1999, performing a few changes to create the classic we see today. The first owner ordered the car finished in India Ivory and Tropical Turquoise, but the seller refreshed the Bel Air with a color change to iconic Matador Red in 2003. Over two decades have passed since the repaint, and the fact that it still presents so nicely suggests that the work was completed to a high standard. The paint shines nicely, with no significant flaws in it or the steel that it covers. A close-up shot of the trunk pan reveals no evidence of rust, and the seller doesn’t mention potential problems in other areas. Their decision to store the car in a climate-controlled garage since their purchase will have helped its cause. The cosmetic refresh included sending some of the chrome to the platers, and it also remains in good condition. The glass is clear, and the American Racing Torq Thrust wheels are period-appropriate to this classic.
The exterior isn’t the only aspect of this Bel Air to receive TLC, with the interior receiving a retrim in Black vinyl. The condition is extremely good, with no wear or evidence of abuse. There is no carpet fading, while the dash, bright trim, and painted surfaces are all excellent. Aftermarket upgrades include air conditioning that was installed in the early 2000s, a column-mounted tachometer, additional gauges below the dash, and a radio/cassette player. The seller indicates that the speedometer is inoperative but doesn’t mention any other functional issues. The Hurst shifter poking out of the floor suggests there might be more to this Bel Air than meets the eye.
Powering this Bel Air is a 283ci V8. The seller doesn’t provide any information regarding its specifications beyond the fact that it exhales through a dual exhaust. The entry-level version of the 283 delivered 185hp to drivers in 1957, so there may be more on offer in this car. The engine feeds its power to the rear wheels via a four-speed M22 manual transmission that should be tough enough to handle whatever the V8 throws at it. Power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes was added by the previous owner to improve the driving experience. Frustratingly, the seller supplies no information regarding how well this Bel Air runs or drives, but there are no obvious reasons why the news shouldn’t be positive.
Tracing historic market trends confirms that the 1957 Bel Air’s Convertible and Sport Coupe variants have remained firm favorites among buyers for many years. Regardless of whether they are original or modified, even rough examples will command plenty of attention when they hit the market. Our feature car isn’t original, and nor is it rough. It is a tidy driver featuring a range of upgrades that should unlock additional performance and usability. The tally of seventeen bids and other listing statistics demonstrate that it has hit a sweet spot with potential buyers. It is impossible to say whether someone may hit the BIN button as the auction end draws near, but would you be surprised if they did?
I remember a time when you could have put a beauty like this together for probably $3000 it’s hard to believe it’s $32000 now.
But by today’s standards it’s probably worth every penny.
Ahhh… My High School drive. [Class of ’70] My future BIL found it for me sans engine, but the Powerslide was still there. Dad say’s, “you get it running and I’ll pay for a years insurance”, [he obviously had doubts] We pulled a 283 “power-pack” from a ’58 convertible, [with a continental kit no less] that had a bad Powerglide. Within a few months a trip to the junkyard scored the parts to switch to a clutch but , no money, no 4 speed. After going through a number of $35 – 3 speeds, finally restrained myself enough to quit blowing them up and get a Muncie 4 speed. But no money, no Hurst shifter. A pencil thin stock shifter from a ’64. Dusky Rose, white top and Monkey Wards seat covers. Those were the days…
He gets off on 57 Chevys, he gets off on screamin’ guitar,,not a big fan of 57 Chevys, but I like Eric Clapton. This, however is a nice one. No, you won’t get an automatic schpiel from me on this one, this car actually demands a 4 speed. Hey Snowflakes, want a ’57 Chevy, but can’t drive it? Hard rice, move along then.
What I will repeat, is these cars, clearly dads pride and joy, are coming on the market with alarming regularity. I only hope there is enough interest in all these cars as the owners pass.
True words about a lot of them coming on the market, but this is a lot of ’57 fun for 32 grand (or less). It has all the right upgrades to stir the driving soul.
Hey Howard, Clapton just so happened to turn 80 years young today!
Hi Bob, thanks for that. You know you are getting old when your favorite rock stars are in their 80s. Heck, with the life they led and still live to be 80,, we should live to be a hundred,,,
Nice car. Would look nicer if seller would clean the tires. When GM introduced the 4 speed it seemed every Tri 5 in the country wound up with one.
Bobhess, it took a while before 4speeds were available price wise to kids like me working in a gas station or body shop. Like mentioned above, I think I cleaned out every $25 3-speed at the local wrecking yard before I finally had enough sense to save up and buy a four-speed. My Dad said if you didn’t drive like a nut job, popping the clutch and trying to get rubber every gear, you wouldn’t keep blowing up three speeds!
Always fixing my car in with what little spare time I had,kept me out of trouble, Pops was right.
Curious about original color. Two tone? I love the original two tone colors of the Tri-Fives. This is nice. Could use a good detail job for $32K.
Too many modifications, for me. I would want the original steel wheels and spinner hubcaps, and the original A.M. radio, with upholstery matching the original for a matador red ’57 Bel Air. I would not want those aftermarket gauges, and I would want the 1957 Chevrolet air-conditioning. In other words, restore it — don’t customise it. If I were to buy a car such as this, I would want it to be what I would have bought or special-ordered from a Chevy dealer in 1957, unmodified. I might go for some mechanical upgrades that do not show from the outside. But, looking at it, or being inside of it, I would want to be entirely as original. And by the way, I got SICK of matador red Chevys! If I could pick, I would go for the four-door hardtop, in Sierra Gold (I think it was), with perhaps an ivory top (or, whatever off-white or creamish colour that Chevrolet offered in 1957). Personally, I HATE sporty custom wheels on a car — or anything that looks “hot-rod”. I like practical family sedans and station wagons — the entirely useful cars people actually drove back then. But I also much prefer the more luxury-oriented top-trim models, and not the plain or fleets ones. I would not want a Chevy one-fifty or a Ford Mainline, for example. And LOSE the fuzzy dice (thankfully, this owner doesn’t have THOSE hanging from the rear view mirror!). By the way, no necking-knob, either. I want a CAR, and not a show-off for “American Graffiti” or “Happy Days”!
I was fifteen years old when a friend had one of these. It was the car I learned to drive stick shift. Then he used to let me borrow it. Did I say I was only fifteen! Great memories.
Back in 1967 I shared a ride to work with a young man who drove a 57 Bel Aire 2 door hardtop. It was custom painted in forest green. The 283 was bored and stroked to 301 with 2 4 bbl carbs on top of an aluminum high rise manifold. It had a 4 speed manual trans. He those tree smelling air fresheners hanging from the dash. He had the seats all redone in black leather diamond tuck. The only thing I didn’t like was he would never punch it up. He drove like a little old lady. Soon after I bought a white one with red interior. It was 283 automatic.
God Bless America
In ‘66 bought a ‘57 Bel Air 2dr post with a weak 283 power glide for $800. Bought a beater ‘58 Del Rae 2dr post for $400 but it had a fresh 283 bored to 302 with a 3 speed so in it went to the ‘57 with a new Hurst. Sold it just before active duty to an older man for his work car?!? Couple years later met my to be wife at college. My car buyer turned out to be her dad’s childhood buddy. Car was totaled in an accident while I was gone. Small world!
A 283 bore .030 was a 292, bored .060 was 301.
Yep, for all you youngsters, 301 was what first gen Z28 motors actually spec’d out at even though they were called 302’s. We took a small journal 327 block, with pistons, rods,and put a 283 crank in it to make the same thing. High revving, fast running mill in a 55 was almost unbeatable.
Better watch the tach though…
johnmloghry,
.030 equals 287 cu.
.060 equals 292 cu.
.125 equals 301 cu.
.125 over 283 was actually 301.7 cu and was rounded up to 302 cu.
3 inch stroke with a 4 inch bore.