The ad does not give us much information on this one, but it looks like a solid car. The seller writes: ” This has been sitting in my garage for 35 years. It ran when it was put in, however, it did not start today when we pulled it out.” That is all we know, lets take a look. Find it here on eBay in Cosby, Missouri with a starting bid of $6,000.
The ’57 Chevy is one of the most recognizable cars of all time. The ad lists this as a Bel Air/150/210, to me it looks like a 210 model and not a Bel Air. I believe one distinguishing feature of the Bel Air is the aluminum panel between the vertical trim on the quarters. This car is painted white in that area instead of having the trim, which should make it a 210; ’57 experts please chime in if this not correct.
There is no mention of rust so we don’t know whats lurking underneath, but the paint looks good from what is shown. The paint and chrome both look like they would shine after a polish, The trim and emblems are intact and the wheel covers are there.
The interior needs some work, the seat is in bad shape and the dash has been cut for a modern radio. The dash color does not match the exterior. It is possible that grey/silver color is the original color. There are no pictures included of the back seat.
This car is equipped with the 235 CI six cylinder. Its nice to see the factory air cleaner still installed, it seems they have usually been replaced by a aftermarket or are missing all together on cars in storage. The ad just says the car does not start, we don’t know for sure if the engine is locked up or not. This is not the most popular ’57 model, but this could be a fun car for the cruise night/car show circuit without breaking the bank.
Now this is patina its got tired paint that will buff up. The white parts of the seat look fine all I’d do is remove the seat cover and sew in a new fabric section as closely matched as possible. Actually not that hard to do and would save a ton of money doing it yourself. I’d go through the drive line suspension and brakes. I’m willing to bet with a little cleaning and adjusting a new battery and fresh gas and this thing will light right up And run. As for me polish it and with some effort this car will bling. My 218 CID dodge flatty after a 23 year sleep fired right up and ran. I was amazed how well it ran and 40 psi on the oil gauge. It’s getting so all the 2 door hard tops are grabbed up and cars like this are what’s left. I have no problem with these 4 door car in fact they maybe more rare, as a lot of them were crushed because nobody wanted them. Which makes this car a true surviver and definitely worth grabbing up.
A lousy Miracle respray doesn’t count as patina…
Now if it had a V8………….( I could ignore the extra doors)
That, sir, is an easy fix and probably one I would have to do myself. Nothing crazy, just a warmed over small block and a front disc brake conversion….all for safety and driveability sake.
The VIN reported in the EBAY listing, although missing the digit that identifies this as a 1957 model does indeed show this one to be a 6 cyl 210 model assembled in Kansas City.
The outside could have a different color,the paint job looks like a Earl Shives don’t mask job. a great 210 to restore with the 6cyl.
Earl’s last name was Scheib
After looking again I see that it was white where the trunk weather seal has been removed.That would go better with the interior color.
That radio hole got butchered in the dash. How sad is that? Somebody thinks it’s worth 6K though. I think that would be the max it is worth at the moment. Now if that bidder has another parts car with a good dash in it. Then I could maybe see placing that bid.
I don’t think this car is worth more than the minimum to get it running and driving. Restoring the paint alone would be insane (considering it’s a 210). In the end, though, it is a Tri-5 which in itself is something. Make it start and drive, then flip it when you get tired of people going on and on about the great Bel Air they just saw…
Here’s my brother, about 6 years old in front of our house in 1957, when the car was new. I drove by this house not too long ago and the trees my dad planted are big and bushy. My brother turned 67 this year. Somewhere I figured that this color was called Harbor Blue. I don’t have any color pictures of it. And it’s a BelAir, I think.
The concern now should be with the engine. It’s been sitting there, not being used for 35 years, maybe longer. I’m not an expert on engines, but I would think that not being used at all is just as bad as reckless and abusive driving. A car has to be driven, in order to keep things working.
Earl’s last name was Scheib
I hate to rain on anybody’s parade, but I wouldn’t pay more than $2,500.00 for this car……’57 Chevy or not. Yes, they are valuable but, they need to be in “good” condition. This one needs a lot of work. I’m out.
Throw in any old good running 350, get it roadworthy, clean up, fix seat, drive and enjoy.
I agree. Negotiate the price down a grand or so and toss that 6. If it’s really a Bel Air that would seriously increase the value, crappy paint or not.
Its a 210. We had a 210 wagon when I was a boy. Bel Airs had the metal insert in the side trim. There were also 3 gold anodiZed emblems on the front fenders behind the headlights, and Chevrolet script on the trunk lid.