With the iconic status that the tri-five Chevrolet offerings have attained, not much introduction is necessary, other than perhaps pointing out that this one’s an entry-level 150 model. A couple of other choices were also available, including the upscale Bel Air and middle-trimmed 210, but at this point, they’re all highly sought after among auto enthusiasts, regardless of which badge they wear. This 1957 Chevrolet 150 appears more solid than many, and if you’re in the market for a 4-door, this one is probably worth considering. The sedan is in South Hutch, Kansas, about 50 miles northwest of Wichita, and comes with an asking price of $13,500. Barn Finds reader Zappenduster spotted this cool Chevy here on Craigslist, and we’d like to thank him for sending in the tip here!
The seller says his ’57 is suitable for driving as-is to cruise nights or local shows, but he also mentions that it’s a promising restoration candidate. A positive here is that the body is mostly straight, with the owner claiming that no major rust issues are present. However, this one has received a respray at some point, and it appears that a bit of corrosion can be seen near the bottom of the passenger side doors. There’s also some peeling beginning to develop on the clear coat, so somewhere down the road, it’ll be time to make some minor body repairs and give this one fresh paint. For now, the outside condition seems acceptable for a nice driver.
Chevrolet offered a couple of different-sized V8s as options for the 150 in ’57, but this one’s equipped with the standard engine, an inline six known as the Blue Flame. It’s not confirmed that this is still the original powerplant, but the 73k miles showing on the odometer are stated as actual, so this could still be the born-with block under the hood. It’s said to purr on start-up and run great, so hopefully, plenty of healthy life is remaining for the next owner before any major mechanical work will be needed. Another fun feature is the transmission, a 3-speed manual with a column shifter, a classic “three-on-the-tree”.
While the interior certainly isn’t perfect, it seems fair to say that most of the inside area is above average for a car of this age. The seats and door panels feature a fun pattern, and I’m not seeing any obvious defects or tears on the materials covering them. However, a new headliner would be a worthwhile addition, and a weekend spent restoring the top of the dash would be time well spent. A 2-door would have more mass appeal here, but I’m also finding this 1957 Chevrolet 150 sedan to be a desirable example as well. How about you?
Did a body on restoration on a Bel Air in the mid ’80s for a customer who specified the 4 door. Actually found one in Kansas (must have been a whole bunch of them sold in Kansas). Metal man commented on the acreage of side panels on it. If we needed a car like this to haul a bunch of folks around I’d be tempted to put a 350 in it and lower the stance to make people wonder what’s inside it. Would also do the stuff that Mike suggested to finish it off.
Its amazing how a car that looks so good as a Bel Air can look so dowdy as a 150. Solid color, post, 4 doors, no brightwork, 6 cylinder, tiny wheels and tires all take away from any its wow factor. Plus the color, while my favorite on a Bel Air when paired with India Ivory, looks out of place on this car.
I’m sure this is what the majority of the ’57’s actually were, just a daily driver, but unfortunately if you add in the rust and I think its priced 5 grand too high,
Any idea how much of the 150 side trim was carried over unchanged from the ’55 Belair? The front section looks identical to that on the ’55 4-door, but I’d imagine the rear portion of the spear on the ’57 150 is longer than that on the ’55 4-door. It looks awesome in 2-tone on the ’55s, but on this car it just looks out of place.
None of it is the same. A 55 Belair has a much wider horizontal strip, with a recessed white stripe in the middle. And the angled piece is different too.
The 55 210 trim is much more similar to the 57 150, but it is still all different. The 55 210 horizontal doesn’t have the stripe like a 55 Belair, but it is still wider than the 57, especially near the front. And the angled piece is different too (not sure of all the exact differences, but I think a different amount of angle is one difference). Parts catalogs say the 55 upper piece was one part number, and the 56 210 and 57 150 were a different part number.
Here’s a 55 210 for comparison: https://www.coyoteclassics.com/vehicles/957/1955-chevrolet-210
Certainly is much more rare now, and more common in the day! I love it and would take this plain Jane over the rest, especially for a daily driver .
I love the 150 interior. This has the same air cleañer my 57 210 had. There were at least 3 diffrent styles and some had yellow engines. I sawbone 40 years ago at Macungie. The owner got the engine color from underbthe engine mounts.
Amazing how many Tri 5’s went to the bone yard. Millions of dollars in parts, we should have bought when we were kids. ( I did but sold them like an idiot) We’d have a second income now.
The 1957 210 looked like an “almost Bel Air”, without the garrish aluminium trim in the rear panel inserts and across the centre of the dash. But the 150 was simply too much of a strip-down economy model. I don’t mund the four doors. If I had one of these, I would want the four-door hardtop Belair, with factory air and a 283 under the hood (good LUCK!!!).
The 1957 210 looked like an “almost Bel Air”, without the garrish aluminium trim in the rear panel inserts and across the centre of the dash. But the 150 was simply too much of a strip-down economy model. I don’t mund the four doors. If I had one of these, I would want the four-door hardtop Belair, with factory air and a 283 under the hood (good LUCK!!!).Oh — and those spinner hubcaps with whitewalls…
Heee, hee, hee… my gummint office had three of these… black, silver, and a gawdawful turquoise back early 1960s. Dowdy ‘n blended right in with the rest of the traffic back then… and that was the point!
Tough as nails, tho’
Wow. Not worth 6K
The four door sedans are not desirable to collectors or hot rodders. This poor old girl is just left in 50s car limbo. Not worth restoring unfortunately. I’d be interested if it was automatic and maybe $5500 just as a cruiser.