Tri-Five Chevrolets remain a favorite among enthusiasts seeking a project candidate. It doesn’t matter whether the aim is a faithful restoration or a custom approach, the ready availability and affordability of parts off the shelf means there is something that will appeal to almost any taste. That is what makes this 1957 Chevrolet 210 Two-Door Sedan attractive. It is a blank canvas with a healthy V8 under the hood. It is almost complete, and addressing its rust issues shouldn’t cost a fortune. The 210 is listed here on eBay in Lombard, Illinois. The final piece of the puzzle could be its relative affordability, with the seller setting a BIN of $7,500 OBO.
The seller located this Chevy in a barn during an estate sale, and it seems they couldn’t resist taking it home. It appears to be a project build that stalled many years ago, and it is almost impossible to spot any evidence of its original paint combination of India Ivory and Larkspur Blue. The existing paint is pretty ugly, and the presence of visible surface corrosion will probably motivate the new owner to strip everything to bare metal as part of a high-end build. Cars of this vintage will always leave potential buyers questioning the presence of rust, and this classic has not been immune from the attention of the dreaded tin worm. The situation isn’t dire because the frame and body are structurally sound. The seller believes the previous owner had commenced replacing the floors, with the new steel laid in place awaiting welding. The trunk pan requires replacement, and a close inspection will undoubtedly reveal other areas requiring TLC. Most of the trim is present, and while some items might respond to a high-quality polish, others need restoration or replacement. The glass looks like it is okay, and first impressions are that the new owner could pursue this project in whatever direction their heart desires.
The news with this ’57 remains positive when we delve below the surface to assess its mechanical components and health. The seller was told that the former owner rebuilt the original 265ci V8 occupying the engine bay. That means it should send 162hp and 257 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. That’s not a bad compromise mechanical combination. While it won’t offer muscle car performance, the V8’s power and torque should make the 210 an enthusiastic performer in traffic and an accomplished open-road cruiser. It has been years since this classic has seen active service, but the seller coaxed the engine back to life. They supply this YouTube video of it in action, and the motor sounds sweet and clean.
The Chevy’s exterior isn’t the only area needing love because the interior shows little evidence of the Code 656 Two-Tone Blue cloth and vinyl that graced its upholstered surfaces. There is the occasional spot that provides an insight into how beautiful this interior would have been in its prime, but a complete retrim is on the agenda. Thankfully, the interior appears complete, meaning a $2,000 trim kit would make an enormous difference. The buyer will undoubtedly refinish the painted surfaces first. However, if they have never performed the work before, they may soon discover the joy and satisfaction that an interior restoration provides. I’ve done a couple, and the experience was unforgettable. It took me a while to determine why, but it makes complete sense. Perfect panels and paint instill a sense of pride, but an interior provides a more tactile experience. We spend time admiring other aspects of a project build, but we spend far longer in direct contact with our handiwork every time we undertake a journey.
Tri-Five Chevrolets remain one of the staples of the classic scene, and there are no signs that the trend will change. This one holds promise as a project build, and while it is essentially complete, it is also a blank canvas. How would you tackle this classic if it found its way into your workshop? Do you consider the price affordable enough to pursue it further? I wish you luck if you do.
My folks family car, minus the Larkspur Blue, IIRC identical otherwise with the 3 speed manual.
LKA Madrid, Spain,1964.
Great memories, but this would would break the bank-and the marriage!
GLWTA
Good luck with the restoration too.
Fast lane fever/Running on Empty, anybody get it?
Love to restore this over a year or so…..into a daily round town nice driver. Nothing extreme, just a nice old classic that should be on the roads.
Can’t help but remember when a guy could buy a car like this for a couple hundred bucks or less.
Yep…my sediments exactly. And wasn’t so long ago. Today the prices have ballooned out of control. I mean…I’m not expecting the prices to be the same and not move a bit, but 10…15…20 times of what they were..20 years ago. I picked up a crusty 63 GP for $3k recently and thought that was a fair price…Lol. She runs, and is a complete # matching 389. But 20 years ago…would have been $300.
Love those ’63 GPs! Always wanted one.
In 1969 I bought a 1957 Chevy 210 2 door station wagon with the original 265 3-spd. setup for $75. It ran & drove well, uncompleted substandard repairs had been made to the rear quarters but the rest of the body & interior were perfect. Original used parts (bumper guards, 4 bbl. carb & intake, Bel Air trim, padded dash, etc.) were easily found and affordable.
I bought a ’59, 283, three-on-the-tree for $75 in 1970 … belonged to the local pharmacist’s wife who rode the clutch … $20 for new clutch, plate, and throw-out … still have the ’70 JC Whitney catalog from where I bought many “fix ’em up” parts … those were the days …
Good candidate to make a black widow
Black Widow was based on the 150 model. Different trim.
Same roof line, once it is painted black and white won’t make much difference.
Black Windows aren’t 57s
If the floors and trunk were rusted out then you can bet there’s rust on the frame. How much rust is the big question here. So it needs rust repair interior replaced all mechanicals checked and repaired as needed and painted. This will be a time consuming and expensive rebuild. That plus the purchase price is it worth it?? Come on it’s a 57 Chevy of course its worth it
I have found over the years that most floors rust through from the inside, because of carpet getting wet. So the frame maybe fine.
I believe the 265 was only available with a manual transmission in 1957.
True
Would love to take this and turn it into a replica of my 1st car. 57 2 door 210. Light green color with black interior with buckets. My dad and I built a 302 engine and installed a M22 4 speed and positraction rear with 4.10 gears. Very quick off the line.
Seller is going on the assumption that it’s engine was rebuilt. Without proof that’s hard to verify. At least $10-15k for body work down to metal and paint plus or including welding floorpans and trunk and at least another $3500 on interior. Chrome replacing and trim, who knows? Selling price isn’t horrible, as long as you know what’s left to finish this 210. Still an interesting find.
I bought a 57 Chey in the 70’s for $150.00 bucks, of course it was just the body, put 4:11 rear and an LT1 in it. Ruffled the hood, bucket seats and put 4 speed hurst in it… Loved that car
I had four ’57s. A 210 2 Dr. SW w/265 3-spd. (1969 $75), a Bel Air 2 Dr. HT w/283 Pg. (1971 $250), a 33,000 mi. 210 4 Dr. Sed. w/283 Pg. (1971 $200) and a Bel Air 2 Dr. HT w/327/375 Corvette engine & 4-spd. (traded a ’65 Corvette w/396 & 4-spd. for it plus cash).
I was not aware that the 265 was still available in 57. I thought all of the V8s were 283.
You’re correct.
The 265 2V V8 was available in 1957 in full size Chevrolets only when paired with 3-spd. or overdrive transmissions. The 283 2V V8 was available in 1957 in full size Chevrolets only when paired with Powerglide or Turboglide automatic transmissions. The 283 4V V8 was available in 1957 in full size Chevrolets with any of the above mentioned transmissions. This information is straight from an original 1957 Chevrolet Passenger Car Service Manual, Page 6-89.
sold! $7500.
You are correct, 265 ci was available in 1955 1956. You need to know your motor mount positions
If it was a 55 Id fly there and drive her home to AZ.