Four-door sedans are usually the least popular vintage cars to restore because they are considered “family cars.” But in 1957, the biggest selling Bel Air was the four-door sedan (and the second highest-selling Chevy overall that year). But that doesn’t necessarily mean more of them survived, though the seller’s car did even though the drivetrain is long gone. But it’s available in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and here on craigslist for just $1,500. Thanks for the tip, Gunter Kramer!
Chevrolet had a winner with what would become known as the “Tri-Five” Chevies, those cars that were built from 1955-57. The ’57s are sometimes more desirable because of their styling, including tastefully applied tailfins. Out of 1.5 million Chevrolets sold in 1957, the upscale Bel Air was quite popular and 264,000 of them would be four-door sedans. But did those end up going to the junkyards faster when all used up?
The seller’s Bel Air may have a decent body, though it could have been in a little mishap in the front and the driver’s side rocker panels may be rusty. It’s hard to tell because none of the photos provided are close-up and the black car is partially seen in the shadows. There is no mention of what engine/ transmission combination would have been in the car new, but a 265 cubic inch V8 with a Powerglide automatic would be a safe guess.
No photos are provided of the interior, so we don’t know what work will be needed there. It looks to have tinted glass, not a common option in 1957. Since part of the forward chrome work is missing and the front clip looks to have faded at a different pace, perhaps it was replaced or repainted at one point. There is no title available for this car, so a bill of sale will have to suffice, but that’s reflected in the asking price for this roller. At a minimum, the car may serve as a donor for another project if restoring this one isn’t feasible, the number of doors withstanding.
I had a ’57 Chevy 210 4 door sedan for awhile in the ’90s and really enjoyed it. It had a 283 with a Powerglide automatic and was in great shape. This one is cheap enough and has the potential to be a nice daily driver if you can do most of the restoration yourself.
I saw a 57 150 airport limo on a site (this one?) that I would love to have. I believe it had eight doors.
Nice start for someone out there. If I didn’t have all the expense of redoing my MILs
house, I’d be all over this one. I’d go old
school with it and slip in a 350 crate motor
backed by a T-400 automatic transmission.
And since it is a blank canvas, I’d add a few
more creature comforts to the interior like
vintage heat and air, a premium sound
system with Syrius XM radio and some
nice uplevel material for the seating
surfaces and door cards. In the end, I’d
have a really nice daily driver.
Now this is priced reasonable and a person could have some fun out of it. What a perfect example to make a sleeper out of it. If I had it. I,d drop the 396 .With a 4:11 put in. Then show these people who think they have a fast car 4 banger really is. Even restored it would make a really nice looking car.
You want to race against 4 cylinder cars? 😅
A great candidate for a resto mod. SBC with 500 hp and a 5 speed. Weld the back door and shorten the body to halfway between a 2 door and 4 door. Mild top chop, perhaps 3/4 “. Turquoise and ivory, tubs and chrome.
in 1957 the only v8 in a bel aire was the new for that year 283 it say in artical was a 265 they where not offered in a 1957 nel aire and going by v on trunk this was a 283
Oh, look.
Another 1957 Chevrolet.
Send it to Dan at DD Speed Shop he’ll turn it into a 2 door and probably put an LS into it.
Well the price I’d definitely right for this Chevy 4 door!! I would just clean everything up and drive it!!
The 57 V-8’s were 283 ci. The 55 and 56 came with 265 V-8’s. It was easy to tell if you lived back then, but if you didn’t, the 55 and 56 had no engine mounted oil filter