Some owners hold onto a classic for decades, only selling when it has deteriorated beyond the point of no return. The seller bought this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible in 1989, and the build stalled before it even started. However, it spent those decades in a dry garage, which protected it from major rust problems. Admitting defeat, the seller has listed the Bel Air here on eBay in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania. Spirited bidding has pushed the price to $4,258 in a No Reserve auction.
Ford caught Chevrolet napping when it released a new model range in 1957. The company’s latest offering was lower and sleeker than Chevrolet’s Tri-Five lineup, letting Ford take the lead in the showroom race. The 1957 Ford remains desirable today, but the ’57 Bel Air Convertible is iconic. The seller bought this Convertible in 1989, planning a project build that never eventuated. It spent the intervening years in this dry garage, which is good news for potential buyers. The underside shots reveal dry surface corrosion, although the only visible penetrating rust is in the lower passenger-side front fender. Even so, if I were the winning bidder, I’d err on the side of caution and take a frame-off approach to achieve the high-end result this classic deserves. The top frame is intact, and most of the exterior bright trim appears to be included. The Cowl Tag confirms the first owner ordered the car in Code 793 Onyx Black, and while it has gone through several obvious color changes, it would look dazzling if returned to its factory form.
Decoding the VIN confirms this Bel Air left the line with a V8, but it is unclear which of the seven available motors the first owner selected. Power outputs ranged from 162hp for the entry-level 265ci powerplant to 283hp for the range-topping 283ci “Fuelie.” The clutch pedal in the interior images suggests they paired whichever motor they selected with a manual transmission. Sadly, the original V8 and transmission are long gone, leaving the car a mechanical blank canvas for the new owner. Sourcing period-correct components would be easy for a faithful approach, or the winning bidder could choose something more modern or potent. The limiting factors will be their imagination and budget.
The interior raises further questions that the listing images and text can’t answer. The back seat is intact, but the door trims are missing, and many dash components and the front seat are absent. Finding replacements for most of these items won’t be difficult, because there is a thriving industry supplying high-quality reproduction components. The Cowl Tag indicates a Code 683 trim code, meaning this Bel Air would have looked stunning with its Onyx Black exterior and Silver and Red vinyl upholstery. The winning bidder could follow the faithful path, but as with the drivetrain, the world is their oyster if they want to create something genuinely unique.
The current high bid on this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible is modest and will likely climb substantially before the hammer falls. It has already attracted 27 bids, and at the time of writing, Listing View and Watch List tallies of 654 and 73, respectively, show the Bel Air has generated intense interest. The winning bidder faces a long road before the Convertible returns to active service, but the lack of significant penetrating rust is a bonus that can’t be ignored. The biggest decision facing potential bidders is whether to follow a faithful path or treat the Bel Air as a custom build. Which option would you choose?
Looks like it was kustomed out before this guy bought it. Unless Chevy delivered them with diamond tuck and roll upholstery.
Looks like a fun project to build.
I would go old school with a small block and put a T5 manual.
Black paint and factory interior.
I would consider chrome reverses or Cragars. I wouldn’t be upset with steelies and dog dishes either.
I thought someone cut the top off in the thumbnail. A 3 pedal convertible could be fun.
Up to 6500 with 3 daze to go…
Finding a replacement front seat won’t be hard, but it will be more expensive than you would guess. A lot of them were thrown away by hot rodders in the 1960/70s, replaced with bucket seats. Of course It’s peanuts compared to what this one will require to finish.
In the last ten years I’ve had a friend and a business contact who were both looking for a 2 door bench seat and were shocked at the average price, around $700. I have some 57 parts that I accumulated over the years since I got mine in 1978, but no seats.
Then you have to get it shipped, and it’s big and not cheap to ship. They were lucky, I knew an old car yard around 60 miles away that had one, and it was $200. By the time I needed to find the second one I had found a local junk dealer who had a complete interior for $200. The lady was buying it for her father, but only wanted the front seat. The guy said $50. She threw $100 at him and walked away smiling.
I would have bet a lot of money that you could buy any part for a 57 in the last 20+ years, but I never expected the front seat to not be one of them. Maybe they are reproduced now, but if they are they’re likely Chinese and who knows
if anything would fit.
you can bet there are missing parts. needs a lot of money dumped into it after paying north of 10k for it.
Just right for someone with deep pockets, time, and plenty of cash
When I was in HS, these were still fairly new cars and we all lusted after them. For years they were collectible and prices climbed. Now old farts like me are dropping like flies near a barn cleaner, prices are falling. Guess that is the way it should be.
First and foremost when you get into these type of cars especially a tripod convertible you need to look very closely and think about what you’re going to do point in fact you just can’t take it to a body shop spray paint it throw an engine in there and say I’m driving a tripod no you have to start from scratch and this is exactly what this car is a canvas the original motor is gone the original transmission is gone it’s missing parts the price being a tripod convertible if it’s cold correctly and it is convertible unless somebody took I saw and made it into a convertible but if it’s a true try five convertible taking into consideration in the stage that it’s in 10,000 is about what this car is worth it’s a good canvas No Doubt but they’re good you go frame off restoration nothing else is applicable because you already paid 10 10 5 11 for the ride so why should you short Change yourself as a buyer now you can put anything you want in there cuz you don’t have nothing original anymore unless you want to go that pathway me personally I would go with a 283 and if it was an automatic to begin with I’d stay with you automatic but that’s just me it looks like a good canvas but nothing more 10,000 is what I would pay for this right
This is just what I would look at and consider having the money to purchase this car frame off restoration cuz it’s a try five dip the frame and find out exactly how much rest is there because it is the car from Pennsylvania dip the body and find out what you have that’s why the car being where it’s from you need to consider very carefully what you’re willing to pay for it you could wind up with a cheese block full of holes after dipping the frame and the body when you buy these cars whether it’s for an investment or for your own driving pleasure take into consideration the money you’re spending to buy the car and what it’s going to cost you to do the proper incorrect reparations to make this car what it used to be in 1957 when it rolled out into the dealership
11,100 and climbing. Still 2 days-15 hrs
I tried to message the seller through eBay, but they decided not to accept messages that way. I realize they put their phone number in the ad.
I was just wondering if they had a clear title in their name. Bidding hit 13k with one day to go.