Of the Tri-Five Chevies (1955-57), most people would say that the ’57 is more desirable because of the styling updates it received. The 210 was still the middle trim level, and the VIN decodes the one here as such. This one is a station wagon as either a Townsman or Beauville (why were there two the seller doesn’t say). Needing some finishing touches to be a daily driver, this Chevy is in Polk City, Florida, and is available here on eBay for $12,500 with a Buy It Now, or you can find more details here in the BF Classifieds.
The Bel Air was the way to go if you wanted the nicest Chevrolet offered. But if you didn’t need all the nicer but minor touches, you could have been one of the 152,000 buyers to take home a 210 4-door people mover like this one. From the start, it had a 265 or 283-cubic-inch V8, but a previous owner dropped in a freshly rebuilt 350 V8 with a 700R automatic transmission (to replace the Powerglide). But there’s work left to be done, such as installing the carburetor, a driveshaft, brake lines, and a new gas tank (provided).
This quality of the body, two-tone paint, and interior suggest this Chevy could be a routine driver without a ton of work. But there is evidence of some earlier bodywork that was done with amateur hands. The chrome bits may be okay, and only one window is cracked. The seats have covers over them that need some fooling around to fit properly.
Since the vehicle no longer matches numbers, would you opt for some kind of rat rod? But why not just finish what’s here and start hauling the kids around in a wagon built long before the days of the SUV? There’s no need to buy new tires as the wagon already has them, and a set of 1970s Rally wheels are on board, though the original wheel covers are also still around.
Funny- it’s not being finished by this buyer – wounder if it’s a quick flip ? If you could hear it run might be worth the ask….
Yeah what’s with quitting so close to the finish line? Also, those wheels have to go. Needs either Cragar mags or stock rims.
Stock rims and original hubcaps, please! Had one of these in our family, from 1957 until 1961 — red body and white top, 283 motor. This ain’t all original; still, the price seems a bit low for a ’57. It would be fun to have — go over to another state and take my a sister for a ride in a car SHE also remembers so very well! BUT I don’t have the funds to buy this and fix it up. Hope somebody does right by it. The ’55 Chevy was like a sudden five-year update over the ’54 and ’53 — I still appreciate it. You can keep the ’56, frankly. The startling ’55 grille deserved a second year, not a return to something more conventional. The side-sweep on the ’56 was predictive of the 1957, but without the styling to go with it. The 1957, on a body-shell that was ageing in the fast-moving 1950s, none-the-less succeeded in creating an absolute classic of the era, something which has justifiably proved timeless. Regardless what year it currently is, the 1957 Chevrolet looks great. And they were very good and reliable cars, too! You don’t have to duck down to get into one, then climb-up to get out — a real consideration at my age!
The ’55 looked like a work of art, almost not a car at all, yet it was tastefully understated. It was a classic right out of the gate. The’56 was nice too if a little more conventional. The ’57, while also nice enough, had a little too much body detail and the doodads in the hood and bumpers did it no favors. The ’57 Ford outsold Chevy that year.
I thought the 57 Pontiac’s were the class of the show that year. Star chiefs and Chieftans.
If you’re going to have four doors, might as well add another!
Boss wagon, or Bo Swaggin…
Thats Volkswagen you Goober!
I had a 2 door 210 wagon long ago (circa early 70s). 265, stick & overdrive. Canyon Coral & White. Folks would refer to it as PINK and I’d get riled. It is NOT PINK. It’s Canyon Coral. Couldn’t wait to get it painted, but when the time came, guess what color I chose? Yup, Canyon Coral. Kinda grew on me. :-) Terry J
My brother and i are working on a 55 handyman wagon custom right now
I think it’s cool and wish I could get it this would be fun to finish
I like it like it is. Finish the mechanical work and upgrade the suspension and brakes and hit the road.
Looks like a deal! I’m going to look at it this weekend.
This needs a lot more than finishing. How about starting over? Check out the engine mounting arrangement. Mounts are at the front of the block and thew rear of the trans. Great way to break a bellhousing and find your engine and trans dragging the ground. Flex tubing for exhaust? That went out with WWII. I still don’t understand why people cut the top core support rail on a tri-five to remove the engine. Just pull the engine separately from the trans and you don’t have to cut anything. Anything that uses the word “support” to describe it’s function has got a reason for being there.
It’s gone boyz. He took the asking price.
Well drat! I wanted to look at it first, but I couldn’t get down there to look at it before weekend. If it was as represented, I’d have given asking price also.
Yes sir, if it was as nice as the pictures it would have been well worth the price…
The VIN says it is a V8 and looks to have third-row seating.
I believe that makes it a Beauville.
I have never seen one in the wild, that I knew about. About 23K were made so there was the opportunity to see one.
Why would a freshly rebuilt 350 have a beat up blue oil pan installed on it??? Where is the cover for the torque converter? The exhaust system is a joke!!! Nice Car but too much wrong with it!
Could fix all of those gripes for $500. It’s the problems that are omitted or glossed over that’d get in your wallet.