Fuelie or dual quads – which would you choose? Well, given the seemingly huge jump in prices for genuine fuelies, the dual quad variety might be the way to go. Some say limited parts availability for fuelies is another strike against the injected cars, and with that in mind, you may want to consider this 1957 Chevy Bel Air hardtop. It’s up for grabs here on eBay with a lofty opening bid of $17,500 and a non-original engine in the bay. However, the seller says he has sourced the correct bits to bring it back to its OEM configuration.
This Bel Air does, blessedly, come with the original bill of sale that spells out how it was optioned when new. The pictures show a car with tired paint and what looks to be some rust issues along the lower fenders and door edges. The seller notes the floor pans need “professional repair” so factor at least some investment in bodywork in addition to an engine build. Sadly, the Bel Air was converted to a two-barrel, three-speed car at some point, which reminds us that this was just a used up vehicle years ago before values spiked (no transmission now, however). The dual quad setup may be cool, but they can be fiddly to tune and sorting out the linkages can be time consuming.
Pictures are not great, and the interior looks about as tired as the outside. The big question here is the engine and carbs, as with any car that is deemed more “special” for having optional equipment added by the factory. The seller notes he has sourced a “…correct code 283 1957 engine in nice running condition that has not been reinstalled.” It sounds like that is included (but never assume anything) because he then adds this nugget: “I have access to a rebuilt correct factory Turbo Power Glade transmission & matching dual 57 carbs but extra $$.” In reading this, I would assume it means all of the bits to return this Bel Air to OEM condition are available but not included.
This is a pretty car, with great colors and a terrific stance. If the rust that’s visible on the outside is mostly superficial and the floor rot is a straightforward project, the Bel Air may be worth a look. The seller does have excellent feedback, but I’d want to get some clarity up front about what parts are included and the costs of the components that are not. Fuelie or dual quad, it doesn’t really matter when it comes to tracking down the OEM bits as the major components are all expensive. What do you think: is this Bel Air worth bringing back to stock condition?
Some people must be on good drugs this car is not worth more than 5000.00 at best.
what planet did I wake up in when 15K gets a builder needing much body work to remove rust and add a transmission and put engine back in…
Welcome to the new Twilight Zone….
Dual quads or not, it’s a 57 so I’ll pass. I much prefer the 56…
I’m with you Tyler. I had a NHRA Stock Eliminator ’56 which I found and restored back to original racing spec. Had dual quads and a 3 speed. Wonder where it is today? Bright yellow with race lettering all hand done.
What he wants and what he gets are two different things.
Oh he will get the $$$. Times are different. Sad but true. Last year i sold a 56 210 2door post that was solid but a roller it had good bones, but other than a orig. v-8 car, nothing special. Got a offer of 7000. sold it I did pay 5500 a year before. cars just get that kind of money
Seems odd he’s trying to flog the original 283 in a separate Ebay listing for $2500.
Not really odd at all, after haggling with the purchase price and prior to agreement, seller will pitch the 283 and other original parts to get the monies desired from the back end. If no deal found more likely than not if seller isn’t time strapped the seller will simply kick back and like a bank account reap the reward later!
For those unfamiliar with the Turboglide, here’s a link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turboglide
These transmission were trouble-prone, many by owners treating the Gr (Grade Retard – or Growl, as some detractors called it) as a low gear and trying to accelerate when selected. A lot of Turboglides were swapped with the more conventional Powerglide automatic as warranty claims piled up.
Given the choice of Rochester fuel injection or the dual-quad set up, I’d take the carbs, every time. The mechanical injection needed a lot of care and attention.
one word…..GASSER
Hmmm you would think for that kind of coin and hyping it up as a 2×4 car,he would include the 2×4 setup. still needs resto or drive as is once you reinstall the eng—4 speed time…
Good luck to the new owner…buyer beware…
Keep in mind you are buying a sales receipt that says the car came with dual quads. Not an actual numbers matching dual quads car, just a piece of paper that said it once had it. He’s charging an extra 10,000 for an old receipt.
55-56-57, the Big Three scored home runs on all these cars! Then, they went chrome-Happy in ‘58.
Always liked the 57 models, both Chevy and Ford, owned both at one time or another. My Bel Aire was a 2 door hardtop. 283 powerglide white on red. It was ten years old when I bought it for $200. The Ford was black on black it also was 2 door hardtop.292 automatic. Paid $75.00 for that one in 73.
I love the ’57 Chevy’s!!!!! My first car was a ’57 Bel Air 2 door HT with a 283 3 speed manual that I bought in 1969 for $200.00. I LOVED that car!!! Kept it for years. Wish I would have kept it along with a number of other Chevy’s and Pontiac’s that I had over the years!!!! GOD I MISS THOSE DAYS!!!!!!!
The good part about now is that there are an abundance of reproduction parts available for restoring the cars that we grew up on owning and LUSTING after.
The biggest problem is that some of these people think that their car is worth a fortune no matter what it’s condition is!!!!!
Me too.
Turboglide was first offered on Chevy’s late in ‘57 through 1961. Only Chevy and Buick offered these optional transmissions, each with a different trade name. (Triple Turbine – Buick; Turboglide – Chevy) If this car was shipped with a Turboglide, then some of it’s future value will be recaptured with all the original options present – even if not numbers matching.
The Turboglide (and Triple Turbine) suffered from high fluid heat, especially when pulling a trailer or long uphill climbs in high altitude. The fluids back then would break-down causing the bands to glaze from increasing slipage. Transmission fluid coolers solved the problem, but not before the general public condemned the option.
Although the Turboglide and the Triple Turbine Dynaflow were similar, they were different transmissions.
A non running 57 car without a tranny or engine actually installed and possible rust through for 17K? Yeah I don’t care what the build sheet says. It ain’t what it says it is. I could see 5k to 8k depending on condition. If he got it running and driving according to the build sheet then maybe 17K would be possible. SMDH