Amazing Survivor: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

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Finding a nice 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air for sale is a rather pleasant experience, but with the weather warming up, finding a nice Bel Air Convertible would have to be even better. This particular one isn’t just nice, but until recently, it was a one-owner car that is now located in Hillsborough, New Jersey, where it is listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN price of $49,500 for the Bel Air, but the option is available to make an offer.

Some cars just seem to be too good to be true, but this one does seem like it is a good one. It is claimed to be original, right down to the Onyx Black paint and the black soft-top. If this is true, then the car is remarkably well preserved. There doesn’t appear to be any visible rust, while what we can see of the underside of the car also looks clean. The paint has a fantastic shine to it, and there is barely a blemish on the car anywhere. You look at the top and could easily believe that it is new, not 52-years-old. The material is tight and clean, while the rear window looks to be clear of any form of clouding. The exterior chrome and trim also look pretty impressive.

The owner states that the interior is original, right down to the clear plastic covers on the seats. It looks like those clear covers extend to include a set over the sun visors, which is an interesting touch. Apart from some wrinkling of the vinyl on the door trims, it all looks to be quite clean and in fairly good condition.

When it comes to clear plastic covers, they are everywhere in the back of the Bel Air. With no seatbelts to hold you in place, you have to wonder how things would be back here if the car was being driven exuberantly on a twisting road. This photo also shows one of the very few faults that I can find with the interior, and that’s the mismatched buttons on the seat back. Otherwise, it all looks really good.

The originality of the Bel Air extends to under the hood. This is a numbers-matching car, with the original 283ci V8 and automatic transmission still in place. The only deviation from original (apart from some chrome) is the fact that some years ago the steering underwent an upgrade, and instead of the original manual steering, the Bel Air now has power steering, but it is all correct ’57 components. It is also claimed that the Bel Air has only covered a genuine 54,625 miles, but no mention is made regarding evidence to verify this claim. The car is said to run and drive nicely, so it doesn’t look like there is going to be much to do on this car.

With 47,562 Bel Air Convertibles rolling off the line in 1957, they were a pretty popular choice amongst new car buyers. Natural attrition has seen the numbers dwindle a bit over the decades, but there are still reasonable numbers out there. When it comes to values, let’s face it, this is a ’57 Bel Air with 2-doors, which makes it one of the most popular and highly sought after cars to emerge from the 1950s. If you want a straight and original car in good condition, you’d better make sure that you have a healthy wallet. Values on these continue to rise, and you will be hard pressed to find a good, original example today for under $70,000. If this one is as good and original as the owner indicates, then at the BIN price, it would appear to be quite a buy.

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Comments

  1. Rodney

    Cheap enough to raise some questions but if it’s legit I think that is a great buy for an amazing car.

    Like 3
  2. DaveK

    By far one of my favorite body styles. If I $50K, I would seriously consider this one.

    Like 3
  3. CapNemo

    The wrinkled vinyl is on the door panels. The trim is fine, it’s plated. And you’re concerned with verifying the mileage? C’mon.

    Like 4
  4. Bill

    I believe that would be 62 years, not 52.

    Like 8
  5. 86_Vette_Convertible

    Cousins husband had one in the early 60’s, teal exterior with teal and white interior and white top. Apparently it had had a engine fire in it which is why he got it. He had a W engine but I don’t remember if it was a 348 or 409 with a manual transmission. I didn’t see the car till he was done getting it put together and painted, it was beautiful.

    This one looks ‘almost’ as good at least in the eyes of a pre-teenager. In the eyes of an adult, looks pretty darn nice to me.

    Like 0
  6. NotSure

    This car not only presses all of my buttons but actually jumps up and down on them! I love the easy clean seats…

    Like 0
  7. Chuckster

    I doubt a original rear seat had mismatched buttons

    Like 5
    • Will Fox

      I saw that; I think the buttons are missing altogether on the right; or at least it looks like it.

      Like 2
  8. Bob McK

    Good price if this story is true!

    Like 2
  9. dealer

    This was at a Dealer site “Copart” a few weeks ago sold for $46.. guy had it posted for $59.. and dumped it for 50..that frame must of been too crusty for his liking..

    Like 3
  10. Joe Haska

    It’s SOLD! Some one got a great car or a flipper made a lot of money.

    Like 0
  11. Dickie F

    Our 59 Desoto had those clear plastic covers.
    As the youngest of a family of 6 kids, I sat up front between Mom & Dad.

    My job was to change the 7 single records in the under dash mounted record player.
    But when Dad got too enthusiastic behind the wheel, those covers provided no grip and I landed all over the place.
    Many a record lost its life by the lack of grip of that 6 year old.

    Like 5
  12. TimM

    Love these cars the only problem I have with it is the seats look like the plastic covers my great grandmother use to have on her furniture when the kids came to visit!!

    Like 4
  13. Johnmloghry Johnmloghry

    Nice car. I once owned a 2 dr hdtp version. White exterior red interior. That was in 67, I bought it for $200.00. I liked the way I sat in that car, the dash was low in design, so my 4’11” first wife could actually see over the steering wheel. Her and the car have been gone a long time, making way for better in both categories.
    God bless America

    Like 0
  14. Vudutu

    Ok, I just want to win the lottery, hook up a period teardrop trailer and roadtrip

    Like 0

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