Some enthusiasts studiously avoided tackling another person’s unfinished project build. Their reluctance is understandable because nothing sours the ownership experience like rust emerging from beneath inch-thick Bondo on a car they were told was rock-solid. That shouldn’t be an issue with this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. The seller was asked to perform a cosmetic refresh for its owner. However, when the owner passed away, the work was left in limbo before it started. Therefore, the Chevy needs a new owner who can complete a job that has never started. It is listed here on eBay in Ironton, Ohio. Bidding sits above the reserve at $7,400, with time remaining on the auction.
The history of this Bel Air is unclear, although it appears to be an older custom build. The ’57 has long been a classic community favorite, with crisp and elegant styling. Its impact was accentuated when an owner chose an appropriate paint shade, and the two-tone combination on this car is among the best. Choosing the Tropical Turquoise and India Ivory seen here gives a Bel Air a classy appearance. The paint looks tired, making the deceased owner’s decision to perform a cosmetic refresh understandable. It appears the seller only managed to perform minor work on the trunk lid before it ground to a halt. How the buyer proceeds will depend on their budget because basic surface preparation and a fresh coat of paint would make the Bel Air look pretty nice. However, the acknowledged presence of rust in the floors may motivate a frame-off approach to achieve perfection. The panels are pretty straight, with only some isolated dings and dents. An in-person inspection will determine whether any trim pieces require replacement, but the glass looks good.
The seller only supplies a single interior shot, making it impossible to assess the state of the upholstery and other items accurately. We can see that a deep clean will be the new owner’s starting point, and it appears that items like the door trims might be AWOL. This aspect of the build could allow the buyer to place their mark on this classic. A faithful retrim in Code 680 Turquoise and Ivory would perfectly complement the exterior and is the path I would follow. Refreshing the painted surfaces and polishing the bright trim would add perfect finishing touches, guaranteeing positive comments from everyone who sees this classic. Aftermarket additions include a tachometer and a gauge cluster mounted below the dash and a Hurst shifter poking through the floor. The Bel Air retains its factory radio and clock, with no sign of a modern stereo or speakers.
Lifting this Chevy’s hood reveals evidence of its custom past. The engine bay houses a 350ci V8 backed by a four-speed manual transmission. The specifications of the small-block are unclear, although it appears to wear an upgraded carburetor and aftermarket headers. It would be realistic to expect a power output of around 300hp, although I wouldn’t rule out a higher figure. The seller doesn’t indicate how long the Bel Air has sat in its current location, but they confirm that coaxing the engine to life is easy with a battery and some fuel. That makes the possibility of returning the car to active service for summer a potentially achievable goal.
If one aspect of this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air genuinely surprises me, it is the auction action. Two-door variants of the ’57 are undeniably desirable and typically generate significant interest when they hit the market. This car has surpassed the reserve after only ten bids, and the price looks modest. The action may intensify before the hammer falls, and I’d be surprised if it doesn’t. However, the classic market sometimes throws us a curve ball, which might be the case here. Somebody might score an affordable Bel Air if things don’t change. That could make watching this auction worthwhile.
Hmmmm….. it might be easier and less time scrubbing an elephant with a toothbrush. I’m just saying…..
Run it through the car wash and drive it as is.
I’ll never get y’all on that. What you call Patina I call “Don’t want to spend the money on proper paint and body”. Or, “Don’t have the money”
Every time I see a classic car with clearcoat over rust, I see the whole hobby get a black eye. There is NO COOL FACTOR.
I’m not feeling it either Hank. Or satin finish paint jobs with the flames painted on it.
Anyone else remember the Kurt Russell movie Used Cars?
“I don’t know ole man! Runnin’ real hot!!”
Classic movie. Our sales manager at the dealership played it for us one hot Friday morning in the 80’s.
These are a perennial classic buy it now it will always increase in value, and it is not too far gone frome day 2 restoratiom, which is perfectly scceptable for a street machine, i think it is asweet rid to be cherished!
My first thought was of Used Cars when I saw the car. What a funny movie, Lenny and Squiggy being smart guys was hilarious to me.
Nuts–another monstrous 2 door crawl-over-your-back number–pass
I don’t know that this doesn’t have inch thick bondo. After all, it is in Ohio.
Dude, it’s one of the factory colors. I had one the same turquoise color in the 70’s but my dash was black. No power steering lor breaks and a true boiler in the hot weather
If this car was left by owner for a paint job and had passed away ..First off..before you sell .WHAT IS NOT YOURS ..you have obligation to contact the family..It is obvious that a paint job..was Not performed on said car..Legal issues abound .CAVEAT EMPTOR
A shop that used a work order would be able to file a lien on an “abandoned” car, giving them the legal right to sell a car. A friend that has the tow contact in his city does it all the time. As you said, caveat emptor, I wouldn’t be surprised if the bill of sale doesn’t have the sellers name on it. Maybe you take the chance on a $500 parts car, not something that currently has a high bid if $9,400.
Steve R
You’re right, Anthony.
A guy in nearby Baldwin County lost his ’68 Camaro last year after buying it out-of-state with only a Bill of Sale. Supposedly the title had been “lost”. Then a past owner showed up with the title and had a court seize the car. Several lawyers are still chewing on this bone.
Listing at eBay shows salvage title, but description says no title. Both of those conditions are red flags, and the holder should remedy the title (mechanic’s lien, perhaps) before attempting to sell it, as there could be legal consequences for seller and buyer.
Regardless of everything it looks FN sad,it needs to burn rubber again!
Rust Bucket
A 67 year old classic. The things that I would worry most about would be 1) title, 2) condition, and 3) price, in that order. With bids over the reserve, and time left to bid, obviously someone has (hopefully) done a modicum of thinking about those factors. I owned one like this one (in much better shape) many moons ago; I wish I hadn’t sold it.
This is a part’s car,because no title, looks like alot of great parts here, although asking price is alittle high though.
i think this still has a way to go on price. It is hard to find a 57 2 door Belair that is complete for less than about 15K. That is based on assuming you can get title somehow and the rust isn’t too extreme. So it might be a good value right now. The engine trans combo, while not original, is great for fun driving and would take quite a bit to reproduce. You could put twice that much into it pretty easily, (less paint) but it would certainly sell for at least that total.
Having a not quite beater like this is really a lot of fun. All the good sounds of the glasspacks, 4 speed and an easy revving 350.
It is too far away for me to take a chance, the title thing is worry some and really would require some personal legwork plus a good inspection, so its a pass. But if it were closer, I’d be bidding.
These values show why that red 4 door for 15K a couple days ago was a fraud.
Yes to that
The horn ring says “Two Ten”
So the reserve was surpassed at $7400? Amazing, at first glance I thought this might be another one of those $30,000 in your dreams projects
That’s because its not a true Bel Air. The posts are 210s and the hardtops are Bel Air.
What makes this car NOT a Belair? All intents and purposes say it is.
Unless the VIN states otherwise.
Belairs came in 2 and 4-doors. Hardtops (no posts 2 and 4-door) and Sedans (posts 2 and 4-door). Wagons, (the one 2-door being the Nomad, as well as 4-door models), and a convertible.
Not true
The VIN starting with a “B” means this car began life as a 210 with a 6. A ’57 Bel Air model with a 6 would have a VIN beginning with a “C”. A “V” in front of either letter would mean a factory V8.