Here is a project that could definitely be a showpiece for advanced bodywork and fabrication skills. The seller has all the model lines covered, listing it Bel Air/150/210. However, it sports Bel Air trim at least on the left side, so it can be assumed to be the more premium Bel Air Line. Located in Urbana, Missouri, it is listed here on eBay with a buy in now of $8000 and 6 days remaining at the time of writing.
This car has sat for 30 years inside a shop, from 1977 to 2007. There is no mention of storage conditions since, but judging from the overall condition, one may have to assume the worst. The ad is short on necessary details. It lists the engine as V8, but no indication if it is included with the sale. Where the car is partially disassembled, it is difficult to see if the interior is still present or included with sale. A new hood, front bumper and reproduction driver’s quarter are provided as part of the deal. There is no shot of the driver’s side, but one would assume rust or damage to warrant entire panel replacement. There are multiple pictures of the trunk and interior, giving some indication of the extent of the damage. There are just not enough pictures or information to properly assess the car. The seller does offer more pictures on request, and that along with contacting the seller may be best for any prospective buyer.
The seller is firm on the price, stating his asking price represents his total project cost to date. There is nothing wrong with logic, but in my experience, it is difficult to recuperate investment from a complete finished project, let alone one from a disassembled project. This is basically a disassembled project car with a lot of required rust repair. There is also uncertainty about the number of missing parts. They may be easily obtained on the aftermarket, but it sure drives up project costs.
I may be out of touch with the Tri-Five marketplace, but with the information provided I honestly have a hard time justifying $8,000 of value in this car. The amount of rust repair required would drive costs through the roof if a shop was tasked with the repair. This would be a long term project for a potential buyer if he tackled it himself. Yes, it is the more desirable 2 Dr. Hardtop, presumably the Bel Air line, but a better starting point and cheaper option in the long term could be had by spending more money but obtaining a better car.
The author is 100% correct…buy the best car your money can afford. Unless you’re looking at at a 1 of 3 ever built situation, always look for a complete car and avoid the disassembled ones if possible. I get itchy looking at some of these barn finds but having poured too much money into these hopefuls several times now, that reality puts on the brakes for most of these “finds”. Whatever you calculate as the budget needed to restore the car of your dreams, add 35% to 40% and you might be closer. When restoring a car, there is always a surprise and it’s rarely finding money under the back seat. lol
you know the 57 chev to find is a 210 4 door hard top! at one time I knew where there was one a 283 stick! that was in a high school auto shop class, from what i’ve read they are super rare? but what do I know ? I am a mopar or no car boy!
Looks like it could be a good start for a gasser
If it were mine definitely turn it into a gasser/ rat rod as I could not afford a proper restoration. Thinking 348 or 409 and with a 4 speed
Looks like 210 trim…..more pics would sell it better are maybe he’s afraid it wouldn’t ?
stillrunners, look at the trim on the top of the rear fins. It runs to almost the rear window. That is Bel-Air. 210s and 150s have a short piece in that location. The area inside the rear chrome is the aluminum insert with the Bel-Air emblem.It is hard to tell the color of the V on the hood, but it looks like it is gold. That also means Bel-Air.
Front jacked with a 409 with zoomies and no hood. Not sure how the boys in blue here in Milwaukee would like it though lol
Curber fever, symptoms include: salivating/enhanced libido as pix are taken of vehicle on trailer to post, dengue from loading vehicle/exertion, followed by periods of euphoria as one clearly forgets to take pix of rust, damage, vermin interior buffet, or anything that may detract from a clearly overpriced flip.
I think the Author and J Liu sum it up pretty well, and I agree with the other contributors who feel that this ’57 would be a better candidate for anything other than a restoration to original. The rear quarter insert/B-A emblem and “bright” window trim leads me to believe that the car is a Bel-Air…Unless the buyer owns a shop and/or has all of the necessary skills, resources, and hefty bank account, it would not be to his/her advantage to take this Tri-Five on as a project!
I believe the BelAir 2dr. HT’s roof line was a little lower and streamlined than the 210 models and the hard tops were not offered in the 150’s so I believe it’s a BelAir. Agree 100% with Dirtymax with what to do with it.
No difference in roof lines. Hardtop was a hardtop. Bel Air just got more trim. 210 hardtops are a little less common to see than BA hardtops. My dad and i had two bel airs back in the 80’s. One was a sedan the other a hardtop. Sedan was a rust bucket but complete sierra gold pg car. Hardtop was a hack job with a 400 sbc and th350. We planned to put the two together to make one but his work situation (welder) and the bad economy required him to travel for work a lot so we sold both so we could concentrate on an easier project, my 71 el camino ss clone.
My dad passed away this last nov but A year or so ago we went to look at a 57 hardtop basket case that the guy selling was putting back together but lost interest ir got in over head his, i forget which. The guy thought it was a bel air but the numbers said 210. We passed as it still jeeded too much for his asking price. Dad found an easier project, an 85 Jimmy k10 4×4. He was working on it when he lassed away at 81 years old!
Dirtymax, I like where you were going with what you would do to this old beast. I wouldn’t worry about Milwaukee’s finest. Where I live (third district) they just want to make it home at night lol. The rest of the city & suburb cops are for the most part gear heads too. If they pull you over driving it as you describe, it will be for a better look at the car lol. Greendale would be the one exception…those schmucks lol!
A couple of years ago I sold my 57 Belair, it ran and drove, had a 327 with a 4 speed in it for $8200. Also had an interior and such. This is a $4000 car on a good day.