The Chevy Bel Air was a common sight in 1957 – more than 168,000 copies of the 2-door Sport Coupe alone were built that year. The seller bought the car in Washington State and put 90,000 miles on it before enshrining the Chevrolet in 1969, It’s been in a state of limbo ever since, with the engine turned by hand manually once a year to keep it up. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this interesting find is available here on craigslist for $69,950. With only limited photos provided, we don’t know what it will take to put this Bowtie back on the road. Thanks for the cool tip, John Kriegshauser!
Much of the mileage on this car may have been accumulated by driving it from Nebraska to Washington regularly to visit family. We’re told the car has always been kept inside and was never driven in the Winter, avoiding snow and ice. In 1969, for reasons unknown, the seller decided to park the car. He put it up on jack stands, loaded the engine with oil, put a cover over it, and encased it in a wall to help protect it from the elements and human beings. Since he’s only turned it by hand since then, the car likely hasn’t been run in 53 years.
The Chevy has a 283 cubic-inch V8 (new for ’57) and is paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. This car had the Power Pack option, increasing horsepower by 15 by the addition of a 4-barrel Rochester carburetor and dual exhaust. Given its long-term dormancy, you must question how well the car will run today even though the seller has taken efforts to preserve it.
Under the covers is an automobile with red and white paint, which we assume are the original colors, but we don’t know if it’s the original application. No mention is made of any rust or body damage and the photos don’t help much. The interior is black and red, and the seats are covered with plastic, helping to keep a fresh appearance to the upholstery. Perhaps the only deviation from the factory is a set of Mickey Thompson mags wheels, shown in the only photo the seller took before the Chevy was stored. This car is priced in premium territory, so I would think a better approach would have been to release it from its bonds and present it in a clean, running order. But, then, that wouldn’t make it a barn find!
4speed not original, wasn’t available in 57.
Did you have to look that up to impress the gathering of Deaks on Barn Finds Deak Day ?
A very nice car, no doubt. I think the window for getting $70K for it has closed by now, though. Those buyers are rapidly aging out.
Put it up on jacks and prepped for long term storage. This is nice but not the retirement plan I guess he thought when he did all of that
Strange photo’s for a car you’re asking $70K.
That’s four blocks from where I grew up,I remember this car.
Love the old school period correct mods, including the 4 speed.
For 70 large I’d think you could take some better pics and maybe even get it running.
Pass.
Why…..Who here would drop $70k without checking the car in person either by yourself or your representative. Deaks just need something to complain about so the other Deaks can click in agreement.
Exactly!
Sounds like an old street racer enshrined his glory days . Just to go out and remember when he was king of the streets . Or not but , that’s a nice thought anyway .
Yup, take lousy pics of the car with the cover still on? maybe he really doesnt want to sell it. Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
So Deak…Would you buy this 57 via this add and better pictures?
20 years ago this car was everyone’s dream car. Much of that crowd has aged out of the active show scene. Today the shows are full of 70’s and 80’s muscle. This is still very desirable to the right person. I am old and would love to own it. But not for 70K. Best of luck to the seller. I know someone will snatch it up.
It’s sad that Deaks like yourself will be lusting over a 96 Taurus DE still saying but Mom.
Yay. Another ’57 Chevy to add to the thousands of others like the final scene of “Indiana Jones.”
:D
It’s Deak Day at Barn Finds.
Thanks but no thanks. Too many ifs for 70 big ones , if it runs ,if they didn’t put a 4 speed in it, all the rubber mounts and bushing have not dry rotted..
Sold my survivor 57 a few years ago still in pretty good shape overall but the rubber had all been replaces and the seat foam was all but dead. It’s the little things…
I love the FB marketplace pics on CL, (lease amount of work, probably from the offspring, for the over-max amount of the price, money).
I submitted this 57 Chevy because it is really a barn or garage find. I thought the same thing about why wouldn’t the owner get it out and in running condition, especially because his asking price is sky high. Well, that’s the market today I guess. People watch Mecum Auctions, look online, and see ridiculous prices being paid, so they figure it’s time to CASH IN. I don’t foresee anyone forking out this much cash for an unproven running car. Still, it is interesting, and that’s what this site is about. Thanks, Barn Finds for posting my find!
Selling for? Go just in ebay and do completed auctions, and see “re-list-ville”
Yay another client for the prostitutes.
Get a life dude. Better yet, get a life elsewhere.
I agree with almost all the comments. So many things that shoulda , woulda , been included , when asking 70 LARGE!
Still a really nice car. I remember when those clear plastic seat covers were the rage not for me but kept the interior nice for the next owner
In 69 about the time this was mothballed my older brother bought a black 57 bel air that had a transplanted 327 solid lifter lumpy cam Muncie 4 speed and black torque thrusts and midnight confessions painted on the front fenders that car could fly but had electrical gremlins always wanted one but I do not have the funds for this one
Funny license plate. A 4 barrel 283 with a 4 speed is good combo; decent performance and more than decent fuel economy.
RED??? I see orange all day long, am I the only one?
So that’s how Deaks spell moron.
Is this guy for real?
Matador red.
Looks pure red on my screen.
It’s an old Omaha Nebraska plate.