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Former Fuelie? No Reserve 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Chevrolet got into the fuel injection game between 1957-65, with most set-ups being installed in Corvettes. It was available in the Bel Air in 1957 and the badging on the front fenders suggests this car was ordered with it, but that system and the original engine and transmission have been replaced with more modern equipment. Located in Afton, Minnesota, this ’57 Chevy is a daily driver kind of car that is original enough to present during weekend cruises and the like. It’s available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $18,600, but there is a reserve still looming.

GM contracted with Rochester to produce their fuel injection systems in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Initially, they were deployed on 283 V8 engines and could produce up to one horsepower per cubic inch, but a tamer version was more common at 250 hp. They were a troublesome technology, and many dealers didn’t know how to service them properly, so they disappeared after 1959 except in Corvettes. We mention this here only as an interesting footnote because there is no hint of fuel injection on this car now except the exterior script.

This is a nice-looking ’57 Bel Air 2-door hardtop which was a popular seller for Chevy during their “Tri-Five” years of 1955-57. The body lines on this car are straight and there are no traces of any prior damage or rust. The paint is good although not necessarily shiny and the hood appears to have been repainted a light grey as it doesn’t match the color on the rest of the car. The interior has been upgraded over time, including the upholstery, door panels, and headliner. The carpeting, however, looks as though it may be a bit suspect.

Besides swapping out whatever engine/transmission combination was in the car originally, it now sports a later 350 with a Turbo-Hydramatic and both are said to work well. A plethora of new parts is now present in the car, although we don’t know how recently this work was done. Those items include the gas tank, fuel pump, starter, brakes, shocks, front coil springs and rear leaf springs, A-arm bushings, and the ignition system is now the electronic variety rather than points and condenser. Under the rocker panels on both sides lies a set of fake side pipes.

This looks like a car you could drive almost anywhere if you don’t mind a few deviations from stock. The only thing I’d change, at least right now, is those wheel covers. They look like they came off a competing make of car from those days, but I can’t place which one, and they just don’t look right on the Bel Air to me. However, others might say they fit in perfectly for an era that was the Fabulous Fifties!

Comments

  1. Avatar bobhess Member

    The JC Whitney Olds hub caps don’t do a thing for it but it’s a nice car you can actually use and enjoy.

    Like 7
  2. Avatar Johnmloghry

    No arm rest makes the door panel look bare. Although these cars didn’t come with fan shrouds with the 350 it really should have one to help keep it cool.
    Back about 1967 I bought one of the same color with red interior. It had a 283 with 4 bbl and automatic p.s. And power brakes. Doggone thing died on me while stopped on the interstate for construction and never started again. My brother sold it while I was out of state for $50.
    Ain’t life grand?
    God bless America

    Like 8
    • Avatar Jon.in.Chico

      Reminds me of a ’55 two-door hardtop I had … straight axle, bubble hood, working on a 409 from a ’61 SS … in 1971 I borrowed $200 from my grandfather to move from Louisiana to Chicago for a job, driving my ’59 Bel Air 283, three-on-the-tree … I had agreed to pay him $25 a month to repay the loan … I hade made a few payments when he called and said “don’t worry about this month’s payment – I sold that old car and the engine parts” … the 4-bbl Edelbrock manifold was worth more than that but my grandfather was a practical man … yes, life is grand and God bless America, especially now …

      Like 8
  3. Avatar CCFisher

    Calling the interior modifications an upgrade is being very generous.

    Like 7
  4. Avatar JohnD

    The badges on the front fenders might suggest the car was ordered with fuel injection, if they (the flags) were correct. Lots of fuel injection scrips were sold over the counter, and this is what this one has . ..

    Like 6
    • Avatar Steve R

      I’ve even got what was an NOS one on the wall in my garage next to the door. They were so common at swapmeets that 20 years ago you could buy a single side, in the box for $2-3 dollars.

      Steve R

      Like 6
  5. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    Perhaps the cost of a new heater core is why there are no heater hoses?
    It’s certainly not due to the location of this car. lol.
    Odd no mainstream htr cores on rockauto for the popular ’57.
    Is that a manual trans brake pedal?

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Gordon

    I agree with the comment about the flipper hubcaps but , what about the awful long gear shift lever with the humongous oversized shift knob . .

    Like 2
  7. Avatar 370zpp Member

    Needs more exhaust tips..

    Like 2
  8. Avatar tom sherwood

    Fender badge is way off.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Bob Mck

    Good unit to build your dream 57.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    I’d love to have this one. My one brother had a 57 when I was growing up and it was a blast. There are one or two things I’d do but it would all be reversible to insure the integrity of the car.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Phil Lawrence

    Looks like a “Bondo Special” bring a magnet!

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Jay E. Member

    Looks like someone bought it right at $21,105.00. That’s the fun thing about tri-fives. There is one at every price point and this is a lot of ’57 for that price. Look like Oldsmobile hubcaps, they gotta go. Side pipes too.

    Like 0

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