While LEGO building blocks have been around a long time, it seems like they have become a rage in today’s society. From actual Lego movies and theme parks to the insane automotive creations found in this article, LEGO mania is alive and well in 2022. We in the car community have our own version of building complex things from a pile of pieces, and that is called “the unfinished project car.” This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible for sale on eBay out of Fayville, Massachusetts is a perfect example of an unfinished project car. This rough but fairly complete Bel Air is a Surf Green original with a V-8 and a three speed. With bidding stuck at $20,100, are you ready to start putting this project back together?
While extensive, if this project is brought to completion, then the owner would have a very desirable car. Tri Five Chevys have a fan base that rivals that of small countries in size. Parts, literature, and all other manners of support are better for these cars than anything this side of a first year Mustang. Most importantly, these cars are American icons. A 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is the car that folks in faraway lands think we drive around every day.
In the ad we are told that this car has the following options: power steering, power top, and a Surf Green finish (which the seller calls Seafood Green). The car had its floors replaced in the eighties, and the seller feels that the replacement was a poor one. A one-piece floor replacement was planned, as the seller feels that this car warrants that level of restoration.
Looking at the pictures we see the stereotypical partially disassembled project car we all know and love. It is easy to disassemble a car, but restoration and reassembly are another matter. Even more so if you didn’t photograph and take notes on what screws go where and such. This is even more difficult when you weren’t the one doing the disassembly!
The good news is that there are plenty of books that will help you re-assemble this Bel Air. The seller includes a number of pictures of parts both old and new but is careful not to say that not every part will be there. A clue as to what derailed this restoration and a history of the car would be helpful here. It looks like it was disassembled then covered with a tarp to await the motivation to restore it that never came. Rust is conspicuous in some areas that point to a prolonged stay out of doors.
Still, there is a lot to work with here. Take for example the 283 cubic inch V-8 under the hood. If this is the original engine and the three-speed transmission with overdrive is original as well, then that bumps the value up significantly. All we are told about it is that it turns over. Hopefully some of our resident Chevy experts will chime in on what they see in these pictures to give us a better understanding of what is original and what is not.
Above is just one of the pictures of parts that go with this vehicle. The extra hood may also explain why this car seems to have more parts than it left the dealer with. There are probably a lot of spares in these piles. We are told that all of the convertible specific stainless steel trim parts are present along with all of the convertible top parts. Another plus is that the wiring harness is new and that the convertible top motors and cylinders have been rebuilt.
In all, there is a lot here to digest. The buyer would also have to decide if the asking price plus the cost to restore this car correctly will add up to a sum greater than the cost of just buying an award-winning car in the first place. There are a whole lot of 1957 Chevrolets out there and a lot of convertible versions at that. Prices for these cars has been in decline, but they are still popular for many reasons. Not least of which is that they were a beautiful design both aesthetically and mechanically. Hopefully someone will purchase this car and make the investment necessary to bring it back to its Eisenhower era splendor.
Do you think this car is worth the asking price plus the restoration costs? Let us know what you think in the comments.
I hate to say it, but for me NO. That is not to say it is impossible, but you need to thnk about what your taking on. Does you skill level and budget match what this car needs. I know mine doesn’t, but someone will be able to do it.
Mmmm Seafood
A rolling cliche.
I’m thinking the panel under the windsheild has a few to many holes in it. Would that require a firewall replacement? That would hurt a lot time and labor cost wise.