This 1957 Chevrolet 210 2-door Post features a range of custom touches, not the least of which is the V8 hiding under its hood. The 327 features a Cross-Ram intake that will unleash plenty of useful additional power. It is a rock-solid candidate ideal for someone considering a first, hands-on project build. It has spent years in storage, but the seller has revived it, ready for it to find a new home. This classic Chevy is listed here on Craiglist in Vista, California. They set their price at $24,900, although the seller will entertain appropriate trades. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this beauty.
The 210 was the mid-range offering within Chevrolet’s 1957 model range. It and the 150 variants spent decades playing second fiddle to the Bel Air in the classic market, but they have found their place and loyal following. This 2-door Post has resided in Southern California since the 1970s, which is good news for enthusiasts seeking a rust-free project candidate. The exterior steel looks remarkably clean, with the seller confirming it is a similar story when the subject turns to the floors and frame. That means the new owner can ignore their grinder and welder as they transform this Chevy into the car of their dreams. I initially thought the panels wore Inca Silver paint, but a close inspection of areas like the door frames indicates it is a custom shade featuring a high concentration of metal flake. The Red inserts tell a similar story, although it appears this is a case where metalflake has been laid over a Red base coat. The paint looks patchy and aged, meaning the new owner will probably consider a cosmetic refresh. However, the lack of serious issues means they can take their time examining their options before committing to a particular approach. The driver’s side window is cracked, although the remaining glass and trim are in good order. Some readers will notice the spears missing from the hood, but these are present. There are additional parts in the trunk and another collection of items not shown in the listing. The Chevy rolls on steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps. The fronts are wrapped in Nitto drag radials, with the rears featuring Hoosier Quick Times.
Chevrolet offered 1957 210 buyers an enormous selection of engines to power their new purchase, although it is unclear which this car featured. The custom paint is the tip of the iceberg with this car because its engine bay houses a 327ci V8, which sends its power to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. The specifications of the motor are unknown, but the Edelbrock Cross-Ram and dual Carter four-barrels ensure it inhales deeply. Spent gases exit via headers and dual exhaust, meaning this V8 should sound fantastic when the engine is at full noise. The seller admits the 210 has sat for years, but they have revived it. The engine runs well, with the gauge showing excellent oil pressure. It runs and drives but isn’t roadworthy. However, they feel that the overall good health of the drivetrain means that achieving that goal should involve spending more time than money on this classic.
This Chevrolet’s interior is a work in progress, leaving the new owner to consider their options moving forward. It is serviceable, with nothing demanding immediate attention. The bucket seats are a later addition, as is the wheel. The seller includes custom door trims for the buyer to install, as well as new handles and other bright trim pieces. The painted surfaces require a refresh, while a carpet set and headliner must go on the buyer’s shopping list. However, with those items installed or addressed, this aspect of the 210 should present quite nicely.
This 1957 Chevrolet 210 Post is a wonderful classic that leaves potential buyers with many options to consider. The custom paint was probably applied in the 1970s because this was a common practice during that time. It is a blank canvas for its new owner, and I can honestly say that I am unsure how I would approach this build if the Chevy were in my garage. There is something almost irresistible about refreshing the car by utilizing the existing paint shades and style as a tribute to a bygone era. Your vision may differ from mine, and I believe the feedback on this car will be fascinating. So, over to you.
It looks like what it is… a ’60s, ’70s street rod. That’s not all bad as it looks good as it sits today and it would be a lot more fun driving it than working on it. Finish off the things that are needing attention and hit the road.
The passenger rocker and lower door appear to be dented. For $25k that’s not much of an issue. Just something I noticed.
Panels look like poorly applied bondo.
I thought that also and I just thought maybe the way the pis are taken but they do look bumpy.needs an eye ball inspection me thinks.
Looks like Bondo in those areas, maybe not? Front tires look too small, but looks great from 20 feet I bet.
My thoughts also, could be mudded up as we used to say,or it’s a friendly car it waves at you when it drives by..
Nice older Hot Rod! Gas her up, and let er rip!!😎😎.
I do like the car , when I was 18 had 57 Bel Air 2 Dr post
Looks like both sides are full of mud.
Pretty sure if you blasted this body it’d have more holes than Sonny Corleon’s Lincoln.
Be careful of this one. You can’t tell lumpy Bondo from dents in a picture, but check what’s there before you buy. The CA black plates tell me that it’s been in CA since the 1960’s, but where was it before that? It could have come from the rust belt, or it could have been near the ocean in salt air.
Also, don’t think that you’re going to replace the bucket seats with an original 57 bench seat for a few bucks. The going price is well over $500 and shipping it isn’t cheap. They were thrown out by the hot rodders and replaced with bucket seats in the 1970’s, and there aren’t many of them around anymore. Most of the people who have them know what the going price is..
Black plates on a car doesn’t mean much anymore. You can buy used pairs and register them on an old cat like this if the DMV says they are clear. That’s been an policy for probably the last 20 years, possibly longer, that’s why California black plates sell for so much on eBay, they just aren’t for decoration anymore.
This car doesn’t look like something that’s been close to the coast exposed to ocean air. A car that has will rust from the top down, anywhere condensation can pool or there is a chip in the paint.
Your idea that it came from somewhere is more like it, a friend has lived near a large air force base in Northern California since the mid-80’s, he said the wrecking yards were full of rusted muscle era vehicles when he first moved there. He said a lot of the airmen that were transferred there would see how readily available and inexpensive comparable, rust free cars were, buy one and ditch their rusty car.
Steve R
this car is a mess, i wouldn’t want this car, i might be from california but it looks like it came from michigan before that.
Hi Steve,
I didn’t know that California would you let you register a black plate. I have a lot or relatives there but haven’t been to LA in 30 years, That would be a good way to disguise an east coast car with Bondo.
My 57 Bel Air still has the 1963 black plate on the front that my cousin got when he bought it from the original owner in Palm Springs in 63. PA only requires a plate on the back, so I never took the front plate off.
The cops only stopped me once for it. I was 15 MPH over the limit and drinking beer after work in New Castle PA in 1982. The guy never mentioned speed or beer, just wanted to see what the CA license plate and PA inspection sticker on the windshield was about. He basically wanted to talk to me and look at the car.
Hi Joe.
Not many people from other states would know that, nor would they know the DMV will issue black personalized plates and numbered plates. The new plates have a different finish plus the those that are numbered numbered have a different sequence, they start with the letter 1 followed by three letters, then three more numbers.
It’s pretty cool you’ve been able to use your original black plate all these yours. Unfortunately, in todays climate I wouldn’t put it past an unscrupulous seller to install a set to soak an unsuspecting buyer by inflating the price by inferring a car spent it’s life in California.
That a funny story about getting pulled over. A lot of cops around here that are into cars, they are pretty lenient on someone driving an early car, unless the driver is doing something stupid.
Steve R
12,000 tops needs 20.000 in work for it to be worth 30,000
$25,000 bondo bucket! Rocker panels, bottom 1/4 of both doors, lower front quarter panels. No thanks.
i agree, it looks like a high auto shop body work car, pretty sad.
Very reminiscent of the car I learned to drive on except the one my Dad had was 6 cylinder w/Powerglide. No radio and no power assists. Very plain Jane car.
Man, what a time capsule! Makes me wax nostalgic. I’ll bet this ol’ boy was a force to be reconned with on the streets in the local community. 24 G’s is a bit optimistic but man, close your eyes and imagine your 17 again with a huge smile on you face while banging the gears in this sweet ride that you put together with the money you made mowing lawns. :)