When a tri-five Chevy enters the marketplace, it’s hard to know upfront what to expect, as so many have already been restored or modified. However, examples falling into the survivor category are getting fewer and farther between, and this 1957 Chevrolet 210 here on Craigslist just might be one of the finest all-original offerings remaining. Sure, it would be more fun if two fewer doors were present and the model was a more upscale Bel Air, but with only 8,400 miles and literally zero mods, this one truly seems like a benchmark specimen. This beautiful ‘57 is in Lakeland, Florida, and for $36,500, you can become owner number four.
We want to thank Barn Finds reader Sunshine for sending in the tip here! When a car is claimed to be this original and has so few miles of use, the hows and whys become important, and the seller seems to do a good job explaining. The story goes that back in 1957, a single gentleman from MO who lived with his sister bought the 210 new from Fessler Chevrolet in Edina, Missouri. This one is said to have been their exclusive Sunday driver until 1973, as that’s the year it was sold to a veteran who continued giving the sedan the same kind of care as the original buyer. It remained with owner number two until the seller’s acquisition, so this ’57 has only had three caretakers since new.
The Harbor Blue paint is stated as the completely original factory-applied finish, and it still has a great shine all these decades later. The seller says this one has always been garaged, with a less than 1-inch scratch on the right quarter panel being one of the very few imperfections outside. This was not touched up to preserve the originality of the exterior, although the tires are new and correct reproduction whitewalls.
In just as impressive original condition is the interior, with the seller saying it still has a vintage like-new smell inside. A set of floor mats has been added to help protect the carpet, which still looks much like it would have back in 1957. The owner’s manual still resides in the glove box, along with some other paperwork including the sales brochure the first buyer used to write the options he wanted on this special-order car.
Known as the Blue Flame, the inline six-cylinder engine is still the born-with component with the block receiving a few paint touch-ups, but not restored to preserve the originality under the hood. It’s matched to a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission, with the seller stating that this one starts, runs, and drives just like when it left the showroom. What are your thoughts on this 1957 Chevrolet 210 sedan, and the asking price of $36,500?
Didn’t we see this car November 23rd?
Its a shame it didn’t sell from back in November. Winter isn’t an easy time to buy or sell a classic car, and if transportation is in the mix, it would have to be covered. This is just an absolute time capsule the colors, and everything and just terrific. I’d leave it, straight 6, 3 speed stick on the column and all, especially with the low original miles. Even having the dealer badge on the trunk is something else. I sure hope it gets a great new caretaker and gets the same treatment in its future years.
I too hope this finds a new home where it will be cared for like it deserves, however I think the asking price is going to make that difficult. Mind you I have no problem with 4 doors or 6 cylinders but this price is in the restored 2 door range. It will take a special kind of buyer.
We found and restored a ’57 four door for our car friends in California. White over Dusk Pearl Metallic. They wanted a four door because there were friends they went to car events with and their sports cars and Porsche coupes didn’t have the room for over two fully grown human beings. Beautiful car here.
I have owned cars and boats like this before. YOU CAN’T Drive them. Every mile or knot, is a huge cost in value and not to mention nerve wracking. Anyone hits it and you are screwed. So it belongs in a museum. And very worthy of that. The price actually is very fare, since you will never find one like it.
Just as nice as a few weeks ago. Would be a lovely car to drive but a bit too nice to expose to the chumps on the road.
Museum like condition , that’s nice, but single tone, 6-cyl., 4 -doors,. 3 strikes at that price, if this was 2 door V-8, it would be long gone at twice the money for a reason, here’s good one for Iron Man to convert to pinwheel power, but maybe not since he got rid of the ones he converted.
A piece of American car history. Far too nice to drive today. Most of today’s drivers should not have a drivers license. Tailgate. Speed. Cut you off. Glued to a phone and coffee in the other hand. I used to enjoy driving. Now just for necessity. This 57 would be a good candidate for companies making reproduction parts. So cool to see a six cylinder cheapo model. I love it.
Nice car. With a 6cyl and 4 door it would be perfect for me. However, the price is way too high for me to be interested in buying. Personally these would be great to own if money was no object. My personal opinon is that cars like this while a great running, driving, cars, they are seriously overpriced.
Ho Hum…another 57 Chevy that I would walk right by at any car show. But, this car at this price deserves to be driven. Where are you going to find a decent vehicle that isn’t rare that you can drive anywhere in today’s market? Used jellybean Toyotas, Nissans are commanding these prices. To me, this car is a perfect choice as a second or third car.
In late 1956 my dad (A navy officer) bought the owner’s wife’s 56 Demonstrator at Curtis Person Chevrolet in Millington TN. Every bell and whistle imaginable, including 265 V-8 PowerPac engine. Two weeks later he got orders to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In the order packet there was a note that said “You can bring your car, but don’t bring one that need premium gas because we don’t have any!” He took the 56 back to the dealer and swapped it for a car just like this one, same color, 210 but with factory air & $250 cash. We drove the car to Key West, took the ferry to Havana and drove the length of Cuba to Gitmo. 6 years later I took my driver’s test in it.
I’d love to have this car, but it’s too rich for my blood…and only an hour away from my house!
The ONLY thing this car has going for it is the low miles. It’s as basic as you can get. No desirable options even for the era. The reason it survives is no one would spend the $$$ to purchase/modify it. Every mile you drive removes $$$ from the value. This car is going to show up a lot until the price is about halved, I still wouldn’t want it personally. Hard pass.
Blue Flame variation was only used in automatic cars.