This 1957 Chevy Bel Air looks sharp with new paint and a blinged-out engine. But things here are not original, as the engine is a replacement, the interior is new, and the car has had a change in color. It’s a 2-door post sedan rather than a Sport Coupe (is that a deal breaker?). Located in Norton, Massachusetts, this Chevy’s older owner needs to move on from this great car, and it’s available here on eBay. The current bid is $20,000, the reserve is unmet, and $28,000 is the Buy It Now price.
The “Tri-Five” Chevies were in their third and final year in 1957. The addition of tailfins perhaps makes them the most desirable of the lot. The GM division built 63,000 Bel Air 2-door sedans that year compared to 168,000 Sport Coupes (aka hardtop). The big “V” on the hood indicates this Chevy had a V8 from the factory, either a 265 or 283 cubic-inch motor. But a modified 355 resides under the hood now, capable of producing 400 horses per the seller.
We’re given a fair amount of information about this car, though a couple of reads will be needed to get through the listing. The paint color has been changed (from what?) to Canyon Coral, which the seller says was mostly found on Chevy convertibles in 1957 and again in 1958. The overall vehicle has 87,000 miles, but how many are on the newer engine? No mention is made if the transmission was upgraded from a 2-speed Powerglide automatic.
Medical reasons and advancing age (80) have prompted the sale of this car, which he says is his favorite. The exhaust is new, as are some of the gauges. Also, the tires and 1970s-style Rally wheels are fresh, and the front brakes have been converted to discs. So, in many respects, this Chevy is better now than it would have been in 1957. Nothing is said to need work, so this car is ready for cruising on Saturday nights!
A guy I went to high school with had one of these with a six and a 3sp. In 1968, we all thought it was pretty nice. Right after graduation he got drafted. Survived his time and when he got back he was seen behind the wheel of it often with a huge smile on his face. Maybe a few months out of the service he died in that car. T-Boned by a repeat drunk driver. Got off with a slap on the wrist the first time and eventually he took away a good man from this world. The DD laws need to be really toughened up, because it is still happening.
Sorry, feeling kind of blue today.
This car is a cool period build but it’s not a “restomod”, which is another term that’s being beat to death.
Not a huge fan of that color, but it looks pretty sharp on this car.