An American icon of the classic automotive world, the ’57 Chevy has been raced, restored, customized, and cherished for decades. After many years at rest, this neat hot rod find is an eclectic combination of parts that most certainly offers a very fun drive. Packing a 327 V8 and a 4 speed, this Chevrolet is ready to blow the tires off at your command! Currently bidding has risen to $9,200 with the reserve not met. Take a look at this Chevy here on eBay out of Landenberg, Pennsylvania.
Originally an inline 6 car, this ’57 is now sporting an Impala 327 V8 with camel back heads. Before being tucked away, the engine was rebuilt, as was the M20 Muncie 4 speed transmission. Fully functional, there are some newer parts to be found on this car including a new gas tank and fuel lines, tune up parts, and master cylinder. I am not real crazy about the manual brakes in this hopped up Chevy, but that could easily be a simple project for the next owner. There does not appear to be any heavy corrosion in the engine compartment, but the engine looks a bit aged considering it is thought to be a lower mileage unit that has not seen much use. There is oil build up and grime around the valve covers and on the front side of the engine.
So what do you see that doesn’t belong? I’ll give you a hint, the seats are from a Pontiac, and the steering column appears to be late 70’s or 80’s Chevrolet featuring a Cadillac steering wheel. With a definite hot rod element, the interior is neat, and fits rather well. The upholstery and carpeting is in nice shape, minus a rip on the passenger seat. Also the dash is in nice shape with little to no issues to point out. I would dare to say that this looks like a comfortable and enjoyable ride with that 4 speed stick within reach.
At a quick glimpse, the exterior doesn’t appear too shabby. There is some obvious and expected rust at the bottoms of the quarters and front fenders, but the exterior appears mostly straight. The front bumper is sagging a bit, and the rear driver corner of the car has an out of place sheet metal rip that I would guess is from getting bumped in the rear. Also the trunk floor is slightly buckled on the same side where it seems the bumper bracket was pushed back and caused the minor ripple. For as decent as the exterior appears, the underside is a bit crispy. Most of the undercoating has chipped off, and there is heavy surface rust to be found. The inner and outer rockers need attention, as do the floors. Certainly a great looking car, this could be a great driving restoration where the sheet metal is repaired in sections. What you do think this ’57 Chevy will fetch at auction?
I couldn’t agree with you more! That is the ideal driver ! It has just the right look and combination. But I hate to say it it seems the days of a car at that level (driver like that) are over because the prices are out of control I believe taking the fun out of something like that. It forces you to go all in for a fully restored one that you wouldn’t want to drive as it should be or to buy a total basket case to restore in which case you’re doing all the work spending all the money over time and then you complete it and don’t drive it like it should be anyway. The money someone will spend on that car will be too much for what it is worth because eventually when you decide to restore it you will end up spending the same amount as if it were a basket case but have already paid too much for the car. Too bad it is a beauty.
There were so many ’57 Chevs in my neighborhood as a kid I guess that’s why they don’t give me a rise.
Especially the purple/lilac color with the white top.
Nice specimen here though.
Steering wheel is from a Chevrolet.
Looks like it’s from a 70 Monte
To Brian, the writer, that’s an original 1957 Chevrolet 3 speed steering column. Also, the steering wheel is a late 60’s, early 70’s Chevrolet wheel, not a Cadillac one. My 71 El Camino, which I bought new, has the same wheel. The script on the right side of it says “Chevrolet”.
Being someone who grew up with manual brakes, I don’t have an issue with the lack of power brakes, though I wouldn’t mind an upgrade to a dual reservoir master cylinder.
I’m trying to figure out why the car would need two ballast resistors? If the one was bad, there’s no reason to wire through it, to the new one.
Some aftermarket ignition coils were 6 volt such as the original large yellow Accell unit. They required one to run the original ballast plus the one they supplied.
Steering column is not newer than a 68 as it does not have the ignition cylinder in it. May be the original column.
It is the original column. Still has the protruding base on the right hand side for the shift lever that if you didn’t know better looks somewhat like a column ignition switch.
I had those seats in my 65 GTO.
Don’t understand how the seller put new tune up parts on it , but left the filthy air filter on it.
It’s a total rust bucket. Is everyone blind to the fiberglass in the trunk? The body is certainly filled with bondo. Guys that repair with fiberglass like that will have no issues slapping anything to the body.
It need the whole bottom of the car replaced and at least 6″ up all the way around it.
I see a lot of bondo/filler as well that is breaking up and coming off. It’s now over $12,500?? no thanks! Buy a new body from Dynacorn instead.
I bought a 1967 Chevy Convertible for $70 in 1965. The interior, top, and quarters were good. The rest; not so much. it had a missing “freeze” plug, broken Foxcraft floor shifter, and 22 or so used condoms. If I recall correctly, the radiator support went all the way across, but this one is missing the center section, as was mine. That made for easy engine removal.
Drives me nuts to see those core supports cut, only held on with 4 bolts (1/2 or 9/16).
but it was so easy to do when we were kids
I too hate to see them cut…but there is more to it than 4 bolts still never cut one!
Time traveler are ye? Buying a 67 in 65.
That’s funny right there. .bhaaa haaa
wish I coulda had this car as is back in the early 70s when I was in High School, I woulda partied like it was 1999 (even w/ the single master cylinder). Oh, and I bought two complete ’57 Bel Air hardtops back then, both were complete, except neither had a motor or trans, paid $5 for one and $50 for the other
almost looks like it has a Power Pack grill (can’t tell if its gold or not) bet that was installed the same time they put on the F.I. emblems
I had my chance to own a 2 drhtp in much nicer condition than this one, about 10 years ago. It was a straight, rust free car with a 327, 4 spd. All they wanted was $4,000. What has happened to the market is discouraging to me, because it has made the price of anything from that era, a non starter for anyone just starting out in the hobby.
This is pretty from afar, but far from pretty. I think there is a lot more damage and rust under that paint job than is apparent from the pictures. I would want to take a close look at everything under this car. At least the pieces for a proper restoration are easily available.
The bidding is already at $11,800, so whoever is buying it has already spent top dollar before they even know the condition of the car.
Crazy world.
Bob
Owned one a long time ago. It was white Ext. Red int. 283 a/t. P/s, p/b. Bel Aire 2dr hdtp. It had a problem with vapor locking on hot summer days. My co-worker had one much nicer, nice forest green act. T&R green int. 283 bored to 301 with 4 speed manual trans. Like I said, long time ago more than 50 years.
As a well trained DIY guy in mechanics and welding I can tell you that it is possible to build a car on a budget. However if your going to do it that way you are going to work on it when time and money allows, be prepared to commit to a 10 year off the road project. Some guys like myself live for the project and spend a lot of time breaking the car into mini projects. I am 8 years into my car and have yet to drive it and so far I’ve spent about $3k when I’m done I’ll be into it for about $4500.00. And that will include paint. That said you do need a small shop, and be patient learn as you go. My car had to have the floor restored as well as a complete rocker panal on the right and half the rocker on the left. I also took the front clip off to get at the front body mounts and completely rebuilt them. Because it is a 51 dodge and there is almost no repop panels out there I had to custom fabricate every thing. What’s good about a car like this is a young guy could tool up and learn as he went, but you do have to be committed and motivated. I firmly beleave the right buyer could restore this body for about $4k, mechanics for another $4-5k. Over 10 years that’s about a $1k a year and in the end you’d have a decent driver quality car and a hole lot of skills built up and somthing to be proud of. This is how the hobby used to be guys built there own car they did not go to a rebuilder. JMHO.
I just took pics of this car at Spring Carlisle.
Took pics at Spring Carlisle 2018
This reminds me of the scene in My Cousin Vinnie where Marisa Tomei is testifying about the 55 Chevy with the 327 that didn’t come out until 1962. “It’s a trick question!” lol
Huh. Six cylinder radiator. No difference from the V8 mind you, other than the straps put it on the outside of the core support. Funny how this stuff pops up after not seeing it for 30 or 40 years. be that as it may, and not being a Chevrolet kinda guy, this is a good combo as it sits with a ton of possibilities.
Now bid to $12,569.69. I wouldn’t pay that.