This wagon is said to be a genuine retired drag racer. The 1957 Chevrolet can be found for sale here on Craigslist with an asking price of $12,000. While there isn’t a lot of information in the ad, we can piece together some details based on the photos and previous articles. Thanks to Barn Finds reader AMX Brian for the tip on this car.
We featured this car here on Barn Finds in 2013 when it was listed for sale previously. You can read more about Steve Ames and his business, Ames Performance Engineering, in the article here. It appears the five years since haven’t been too kind to the car. It probably sat outside and the rust on the hood and roof has progressed accordingly. The rear window is also missing which has probably allowed the elements in. You can see the tailgate is nearly rusted through.
Back in 2013, the car was also featured here on BangShift.com. That article has quite a few more details outlining the racing history of the car. Those of you who are interested in the car now, probably wish you could have purchased it back then…But, I guess that adds a bit to the story.
The Bangshift pics show a home made data plate for valve lash adjustment. This quick check method is a good indicator of it’s racing history, and engineering.
Cool car. Finally a “race car”, with a real racing history. I hope it gets restored to “period correct” and is either taken around to shows or is updated to today’s safety standards as sympathetically as possible and is raced again.
Steve R
I hope someone restores this classic.
At least it has a history and not sitting on
the ground. If to be raced again I would put a fiber front end that tilts and try to get a tail gate prior to welding in metal .
I have a sweet spot for 55s and 57s ! 👍👀
There is no need for a fiberglass tilt front end. There are several guys at my local track that are still racing the same cars they were running in the 1960’s including a 1957 150 business coupe. Not one of them has a fiberglass or tilt front end. Most cars that are raced today in ET range this car would likely wind up running, usually go months, often an entire season without needing anything more than oil changes and a mid-season valve adjustment or spark plug change. There is just no need, besides, glass front ends tend to flop around and scratch paint around the edges. For a car like this, they have outlived their usefulness.
Steve R
Very cool wagon. Jr stocker material. Seems shy on details like eng etc. Hope someone brings it back, too bad its deteriorated to this state. Would also like to know if it ran any other northeast strips!!!
Good luck to the new owner.
Sorry I posted before I looked at the bangshift article. Maybe a stretch for what he’s asking, wonder if it had a Pontiac mill since Ames was a poncho guy.