If history is any indication then this should be the shortest article in Barn Finds history. It’s a Chevy. It’s a ’57. It has 2 doors. It has a small block. Sounds simple, right? Ticks all the boxes, Right? Sorry, you don’t get off that easy! This particular ’57 is located in York, Pennsylvania. For sale here on eBay, this one comes with a clear title. With 4 days remaining on the auction, there are currently no bids. The seller has listed it with an opening bid of $7,900. Also, someone correct me if I’m wrong (which I am on occasions) but I’m pretty sure that this looks like a 210 judging by the side trim. Am I right?
I really hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is a bit of work for you before this becomes the car of your dreams. Hats off to the seller though. He has provided plenty of clear pictures which allow you to see the scope of the task ahead. Externally things don’t look too bad. There’s surface rust to be sure, but rot through is actually minimal. There appears to be some accident damage to the right rear quarter, but once again it isn’t a deal-breaker.
Under the hood is a small block. The owner seems a little vague on what it actually is. He does say that the VIN decoder shows this as being a Bel Air factory small block car. The engine doesn’t run as it has been sitting for a reasonable amount of time. It is backed by an auto transmission. He does say that the rear end has been updated and that it looks to be a 10 bolt.
The interior trim seems an interesting choice, but I believe that it is a potentially quite inspired choice. The front and rear seats are actually leather seats from a Lincoln. It might just be me, but I don’t think that they look out of place, and they seem to fit into the car quite well. Regardless, they will need recovering or replacing. That’s the beauty of a blank canvas project. You get all of the choices.
This is where the work really starts. Yes, that is planet earth that you can see through the front floor. The seller doesn’t beat about the bush here. He clearly states that the front floor is going to need work. He doesn’t mention anything about frame rot, but this alone should keep you busy.
While you’re attending to the front floor, could you have a go at the trunk floor, please? This is not a nice look, but it does afford us a reasonable view of the frame rails, and they don’t look that bad.
Let’s be honest here: If you bought this and were serious about getting it back on the road as a safe and structurally sound car then it’s going to take a fair amount of blood, sweat, and tears. I can see that there is potential in this, and they just don’t make them anymore. The 2 doors are certainly attracting a premium over a 4 door, but I’m really wondering whether the price of entry is too high on this particular Chevy. I hope that someone does take it on. This could be awesome.
I believe it’s a Bel Air. The 210 has no stainless insert in the side trim, just the spears. Also, the script on the stainless insert appears to say, “Bel Air”.
Edit: Looks like the stainless insert is missing from the right side.
Hey Fred W, I tortured myself over the model, especially that shot of the driver’s side. I couldn’t decide whether that was stainless or paint. I actually was close to flipping a coin on it. I’ll defer to you on this my friend. As I’ve said before: If I make mistakes and don’t get pulled up on them, I’ll just keep on making them. Thanks for the insight. I appreciate it.
It is a Bel Air! I had one almost identical including rusty front floors! Mine was originally a dark bronze with white top. The side panels had Bel Air on the insert! 283 four barrel with four speed! Three speed originally. I have been looking for about thirty years for a picture of this car as they are very scarce today! I am very happy to find this as it almost completes my album of all the cars I have owned over the years!
Only $15,000 will buy you a brand spanking new 1957 Chevy 2-Door Hardtop Body Skeleton With Dash & Quarter Panels!
http://realdealsteel.com/i-20900949-1957-chevy-2-door-hardtop-body-skeleton-with-dash-quarter-panels.html
Jeff: EXACTLY!
And $150k later you’re good to go!
I’d get a Tetanus shot before fixing this one. Under-hood wiring job looks like what I would do. Needs more parts from that Lincoln to make it right. Maybe the Edelbrock tag on the carb helps the value.
Looks like somebody did a circa 1970’s customizing job on this baby. I’m afraid the seller will have to pay someone to take it.
Same thoughts.. looks like some kids hot rod from the 70’s that got parked and forgotten about
Same thoughts.. looks like some kids hot rod from the 70’s that got parked and forgotten about
I have no idea on current prices on these, but just as a WAG I am thinking $5k is more realistic, but on the other hand these just dont come up for sale often at all, and who cares at this point which version it is?? Its a 2 door and a Iconic style, too far gone for a concours resto so have fun with it.
I have a friends who had these 55-56-57s back in the 70s & 80s of various configs, and I can say the brakes are crap, the suspension rides like a old church bus and they all are heavy & rattly tanks.
That said, some upgrades and you have a VERY cool car! I always wanted to take one on, but full up here, But seems very viable for a DIYer,, for the checkbook resto or custom guys?? Probably not so much.
I am betting on how long before some checkbook guy is gonna impart his financial acumen on all of us. (bonus points for a Barrett-Jackson quote)
No BelAir. It’s missing gold grille, gold louvres on front fenders, only has short spears on top of rear fenders, no stainless trim around the windows. May have been a six cylinder because no gold vees on bonnet or boot.
I thought a silver V meant a v8 and a gold V meant the high power V8. Did all of the bel airs have gold V?
Silver was 265 equipped, gold was 283
Air conditioned trunk…
It doesn’t seem there will ever be and end to the supply of the tri-five Chevies being pulled out of long term storage. These are some of my favorite cars and they just keep coming up. I’m glad so many were saved.
At least the brakes look updated.
Did the Belair come with a post?
I foresee a LOT of work for the new owner. Depending on how they decided to go with it, could get expensive too. Not it terrible shape, but not in good either. Seems a bit high in the price. IMO
Brian, yes the Belairs did have a post. My folks bought a turquoise and white 57 Belair “Sport Sedan” in 59 as our family car and I still have it.
Yea 15k. Can get you a new 57 chevy then you need another 5k for a frame.25k atleast for the bits n peices.another 5 to 10k for motor and trans. With all that this one looks like a deal
A deal? There are approx. 1.7 million ’57 Chevys on CL and elsewhere that are priced at a fraction of what this piece o’ junk would cost to restore. Sure, building a ’57 kit car would cost north of $100k but no need – plenty of 2 door posts out there at relatively reasonable prices.
Where do you see all these 2 dr 57 chevys at ,in your stack of car mags from the 80’s
I will never understand why someone selling a car is reluctant to post the VIN. It answers a lot of questions. (including if it’s a stolen car)
Who would bother to restore a post car? You could easily spend 50k and have a 25k car. Too many available to restore a post car. Needs a lot of sheet metal. If it was a coupe you could use it as a donor car for a real steel body, but that darn post.
Dead ringer for one on the Nashville Craigslist. Interesting.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-Chevrolet-2dr-Sedan/123146897382?_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D53210%26meid%3D34fd11174a8f4dc6a192ddbe3006ab25%26pid%3D100752%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D121841393707%26itm%3D123146897382&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982
WTH, Are you guys all soft? I had every day drivers that weren’t that nice in highschool, took um out street racin on Friday night too
Had only one misshap when I tried woein up a 57 with dropped spindles, back the they raised the front end, both lower A arms pulled loose of the frame. I can laugh about it today…back then it was big $ to have it towed to the shop where I worked…I had her all ship shape the followin Friday night. The stories I could tell about Friday nights and Sunday after noons in San Francisco…