The 1955-57 Chevrolets are some of the most talked about in collector circles. They were popular when new (selling nearly five million copies) and are still in demand today. Fortunately, the rather large quantities built do make them more accessible than other vintage cars. This ’57 Bel Air convertible lost its engine long ago and has had the misfortune of sitting out in the elements, absorbing plenty of Winter snow as well as Summer Sun. Located in Morrisville, Vermont, this sad-looking Tri-Five is available here on Proxibid.com when the current bidding stands at $8,000. Thanks for the weathered tip, Dakota Ward!
Besides an all-new design in 1955, the Chevy gained a small-block V8 engine, the first one produced by General Motors. It displaced 265 cubic inches and produced a minimum of 162 hp depending on carburetion. By 1957, a 283 CI derivative became available and one of these was in the seller’s drop-top, based on the VIN. With updates in the styling, the 1957 Chevy production was only off by about five percent compared to 1955 and 1956, yet the convertible with its soaring tailfins would have its best year in ’57 out of the three (48,000 copies).
Very little is known about the seller’s once-red drop-top. It’s in rough condition and has likely been stored outdoors for ages. We suspect it may have been more recently moved as there is one photo provided with it covered in snow and wearing different wheels and tires. The other pics are from a more temperate time of the year. The trunk and back seat are full of parts, which we assume all go with the automobile. While the engine has been removed, there’s no telling if all of it’s there somewhere in pieces.
Because the convertible top has lost some of its protection, the interior of the Chevy has suffered at least as much as the body. We assume there is ample rust wherever you choose to look, and the undercarriage is a mystery, so you should assume the worst. The odometer reading is 53,000 miles, but that has not been verified, and – if true – the car led a tough life for much of its operational existence. Besides the final price, the winning bidder will pay 18% extra for an “internet premium” and a “convenience fee”. So, the cost to buy the project or parts car is already approaching $10,000 all-in.
No. Just no.
Internet fee? Dealers usually set their internet price lower than the showroom price. This is pretty lame but if the seller gets the money s/he won’t care a bit about my opinion.
I buy all my cars on site. Cash. No fees. Fees waste money.
I love 55-57 Chevy’s but even if i had time i would not want to waste it on someones stripped job with miscellaneous parts
Looks like an oval port BBC intake in the trunk. It’s a shame so many classic cars end up like this one. People start out with the best of intentions then once it’s all apart they let other things get in the way and forget it. Then they won’t sell it until it’s so far gone Fred Flintstone could power it with his feet. This example is even worse, being a convertible. That means lots of water has ruined the whole interior.
Along with that picture showing the oval port intake is a BBC cylinder head. It makes one wonder how much more of a motor is thrown in there & how useable any of it would be,,,,,,,,,,,,,, it could be a treasure.
It’s a Northeast car and Vermont’s rule used to be 1in of salt for every 2in of snow, the fact this much of the car survives is a miracle
Also, I don’t consider this a true barn find. It was sitting in someone’s back yard. I wonder does it come like it is in the first picture or is it sinking into their backyard?
As Robert said, shame to see in this condition, but dont be surprised to see this go to stratospheric pricing. One of the most beautiful convertibles ever. BTW, nice job to the seller advertising a car covered in snow. Someone with too much coin will wind up with it.
Cheers
GPC
The buyer also has a couple fees to be removed from price.
Annoyance fee 10% from convenience fee being a rusted out field car .
10% no title fee
5% no emission fee as it doesn’t run
9% inventory fee as this was a car junker opened for-picking parts and no telling what parts is missing
Its a under water tri five field car g
It is pretty amazing seeing this in current condition. My guess is the project timed out and the seller simply expired before getting to it. It’s no secret that the 1957 ragtop is a blue chip collector car. One needs not to be an enthusiast to know. The seller hung onto it a little too long. I think with a bill of sale and misc parts that do not belong thrown in a hard pass as the values for these are on a downward trend.The cost to restore you could easily get one you could drive now and enjoy for less money.
High bid is $8,250 on Christmas Day. Foolish is my humble opinion.
If the frame and floor isn’t gone, this is a great find. My first car was a 57 210 sedan. This is a stick, looks like it may have been yellow or cream? I don’t see the block but 283’s can be had easily if you want it stock.
I’ve seen much worse get restored. I know where all the rust is from mine. Bring a magnet to see what’s left. (Bondo)
I’d do it but not able to pay what this will go for and it would cause alimony payments to start. Ha-ha..
If I was retired, this would be making me sweat until I could see it.
My first Chevy was a 49 and then a 57 210 with the big v-8 and 3 speed ,man it could rock and roll fooled a lot of wanna bees including vets ;lots of fun!
This ’55 is part of a Proxibid farm auction. They always have a buyer’s premium, internet premium, and sales tax added. So, watch your bidding.
If anyone remembers the LaBreck auction of Chevrolets a few years ago,
Proxibid is the same way it was held.
It’s a shame to see a car like this fall into such bad shape.
I wouldn’t want to tackle this job even if I had the money because I wouldn’t want to give someone who treated this car like this any money at all.
If the frame is good it will cost you 50 to 60 K
just to make it a driver. I had 7 1957 Chevys
3 Convertibles the cost to restore them is out
Of site. Good luck to the new owner.
Vermonters, treat these cars like farm implements. Tis pity, they leave them outside like this to rot.
Most of the photos show the car with a great deal of dust/dirt on it, which would indicate that it had been stored indoors for an extended period of time. Only one photo shows the car in what appears to be a different location with snow on it, so there’s a possibility that was a more recent photo, indicating that it may not actually have been stored outdoors for a long time.
All in all considering the shape this one is probably in from sitting out side in the weather, it has probably weathered away. Sorry much as I would like to score a convertible, this one is a pass. Too far gone.
The picture of the car is worth more than the actual car. Frame the picture.
This guy should be thrown in jail…. He’s on his way to destroying another one too! Gotta let that one rot beyond repair before letting it go…. IT’S MINE, IT’S MINE!!
These comments are a hoot. My first car was a 57 210, 2 door sedan and looked worse that this. It needed quarters, rockers and lower front fender heals. I had that done (quarters and rockers were done badly by a drunk with a body shop) and then I sold it to a guy with a body shop 17 years later. He made it perfect and had it for sale for $20k. Body guys would do this one in a heartbeat. There are replacment panels for everything. People are restoring much worse that are dragged out of junk yards now, due to being rare. Done right this is a $75-100k car.
If money is a concern…run as fast as you can in the other direction. It would be much less expensive to buy one done than to build this one. But, if you have that mechanical ability to restore this yourself it just might make you a few bucks. It isn’t all about the money, nobody wants to waste it.