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Dusty Ragtop: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

Of the 700,000-plus Chevrolets produced in the model year 1957, over 47,000 were convertibles. Those hefty numbers are a good thing for enthusiasts today, given their iconic status and evergreen popularity. It also means that barn-findy examples like this one, now located in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles and listed here on craigslist with an asking price of $35,000, pop up pretty regularly.

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2

The listing is all over the place. There are only a few decent photos, the rest are postage-stamp size and not super helpful. But from what we can see, this Bel Air appears to be relatively straight and largely original. The seller provides no background other than to say it’s a “true barn find”. Not quite sure what that means, but thankfully he didn’t toss on any hay or staple any farm animals to the bumper for photos.

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 3

The 283 engine is said to be original and appears to be largely unmolested. No mention is made whether it starts or turns over. And no sloppy Turboglide or two-speed Powerglide here, the car is thankfully a member of the three-pedal club.

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4

Some of the random under-car pics look promising. If the car lived the past 61 years in the dry San Fernando Valley (or even farther east), it could have easily escaped the ravages of the salty coastal air. And a snapshot of the VIN plate confirms this began life as a V8-powered Bel Air.

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 5

This grainy image is about as good of a look at the interior as you’ll find in the ad. Long-term storage isn’t known for being especially kind to convertible interiors. Somewhere along the way that aftermarket wheel found it’s way onto the steering column, and maybe those gauges have been swapped also? Or possibly just the faceplate is missing. Hard to tell for sure.

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Our final pic is a classic flipper shot, trailer and all. The seller doesn’t seem to know a lot about the car, it’s referred to as a “Belaire” and says it is “matching numbers,” which is a bit of a misnomer for a Tri-five. But a solid ’57 floor shift convertible is something. What’s your take on the $35k price of admission?

Comments

  1. Avatar flmikey

    Listing already deleted…but perhaps a dumb question…was a floor shift stick available on the ’57 Chevy? This car looked solid, and perhaps a real bargain, IMHO…..

    Like 3
    • Avatar al8apex

      Bucket seats and a floor shift were NOT available in the 57, 60’s changes I’d guess

      Someone got a great car for reasonable $$

      Like 7
    • Avatar Chuck Turner

      No

      Like 2
  2. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Gone!! these are always bringing a good buck, especially a beauty like this. Almost be tempted to drive as is with the floor shift, buckets and wheel.
    I sold a 55 chev conv that was so rotten it was unreal. owner took body off frame and set on the ground, stayed there for 20 yrs +. Almost broke in half when I put the body back on the frame. Got 5700 for it and the new owner was tickled to get a 55 conv cheap. Cheap?? Go figure. Everyone was happy!! Good luck to the new owner!!!

    Cheers

    GPC

    Like 8
  3. Avatar mainlymuscle

    Tri fives are not a good investment ,their glory year are long gone.Having said that ,there will ALWAYS be a buyer for a 57 Belair vert,and this one looks to have been well bought.

    Like 8
  4. Avatar Robert Kares

    I have a 57 two door htp project that used tobemy driver so I guess it is worth a lt more then I think ,I have had serveral hundred offers to sell it but would not except less then 20 gs for it now

    Like 5
  5. Avatar CCFisher

    “Dusty Ragtop” sounds like a drag queen name.

    Like 25
    • Avatar Wayne from Oz

      Looks like a trailer queen.

      Like 5
    • Avatar Merrill R. Newman

      Funny…I like it :-)

      Like 1
  6. Avatar Joe M

    Probably bought it from a 92 yo granny who advertised it on Craig’s list as an old Chevy for sale
    Looks cool just sitting on the flatbed

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Steve J

    All 1957’s came standard with a three speed stick transmission. Powerglide and Turboglide were options. During that model year, a floor mounted 4 speed kit became available through the local dealerships, who could install the kit for you. The kit included a new steering column collar.

    Like 8
    • Avatar DKW

      Yep… exactly what my Dad did with his. Went from a three on a tree to four on the floor. Kit from dealer. Then he mounted triple deuces to it. All in 1959.

      Like 2
  8. Avatar socaljoe

    It looks like a later, probably a 327, was added when they did the bucket seats and floor shifter. Probably sold before he got off the freeway!

    Like 2
    • Avatar Chuck Turner

      55 chevy valve covers.

      Like 0
      • Avatar pwtiger

        55 Chevy’s had a 265 engine, the heads had staggered bolt holes. I guess that you could rig up some sort of adapter to make the covers fit a 283

        Like 1
  9. Avatar Pete

    I remember a few years back convertible 57’s going for 125k to about 155k. I have seen rust buckets going for 25K lately. This appears to be a good solid car even if somewhat modified. Wouldn’t be hard to get it back original.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Chuck Turner

      Yeah, a hundred grand would do it….

      Like 1
  10. Avatar Brian

    I want to meet the clown who pays $35k for this shabby example. Nice driver quality convertibles sell in the 50s.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Ensign Pulver

    My dad’s first new car…12 years after coming home from the war in the Pacific, was a coral and silver 57 Chevy convertible. Three years later my mom left the keys in it while in the garage at the house on Staten Island and it was found totaled wrapped around a tree 2 days later. He replaced it with a comet station wagon that was never stolen no matter how often my mom left it running or not.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Marshall

    During the late 1980s, a preacher friend of mine sold his restored ‘57 Belair convertible (which he restored himself) for about 9 grand. I later remarked to him that he should have held off when he could have gotten much more for it. He agreed.

    Like 1

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