How unusual, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air that hasn’t been hot-rodded, resto-moded, customized, restored or otherwise molested. It initially caught my attention because of the way it is parked. I used to live in a very urbanized area and finding a car, unexpectedly, sans wheels and up on blocks, wasn’t that rare an occurrence. By the way, the seller does have the tires and wheels. This car is intriguing, let’s look it over. It is located in Shawnee, Kansas and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $10,600, twenty-five bids tendered so far.
Sixty + years on, Tri-five Chevies, ’55, ’56 and ’57, still capture car people’s imaginations. Produced in enormous numbers, there never seems to be a shortage of good examples available on the open market – and two-door hardtops, like this example, seem to lead the charge in popularity. Parts availability? Forget about it, there are probably more varied sources for virtually every part now than there were years ago when these were just used cars.
The seller states that he has owned this car for 30 years and it has spent the last twenty-five in storage – both inside and outside. The car, as can be seen, is parked under the roof of an asphalted, open-sided storage area. While not ideal, it is much better than being out in the open. The body looks to be in good condition, there are no obvious signs of rot or panel damage, there is even an extra hood that goes with the sale. There is no reference regarding the underside integrity but from what can be seen via the interior, there should be a concern; rust-through is apparent so the frame needs to be checked. This Bel Air’s extensive trim appears to be in place too and in good condition other than the passenger side rocker panel molding.
The power train is what some individuals would consider ideal, a V8 engine and a manual transmission. The engine is a 185 HP, 283 CI small-block, connected to a three-speed manual transmission. And there is the one and only modification that has occurred to this Chevy, the shift lever has been moved from the column to the floor – a good move. The engine sounds like a non-runner as the seller states, “that (it) may be a good candidate for a rebuild”.
As for the interior, other than the floor shift, more originality persists. It’s worn and dirty, the instrument panel’s finish is peeling and the radio is missing (though it is in the trunk). It appears that the carpet/floor mat is missing as well, and there is a lot of surface rust including at least one rust-through hole spied. The rest of the interior is “there” but it could really use a complete remake.
I got a bit of a start when I read the listing for the second time as the seller suggests, “1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe project car or parts car”. What, a parts car? Tell me you’re not serious. This example looks way too good to suffer that fate. I see nothing but upside potential here and I’m thinking in the form of some very mild modifications like an improved and more powerful engine, a four-speed in place of the three and a tire/wheel combination. Beyond that, redo the interior close to stock and wrap it up in a new paint job and black would be fine. How about you, what are your suggestions?
If you lightly tap those cinder blocks with a hammer, all would go south in a hurry…
Dave, absolutely! When I just got my license back in 1966, my sister let me have her 1957 2dr Ford Fairlane. All it needed was a new transmission. I took the wheels off and put a cinder block under each brake drum. One of my friends came over with an offer to go to McDonalds. When I came back the car was flat on the ground. Thankfully I had never had the chance to crawl under it.
To this day, if I drive by a house with a car on cinder blocks, I stop to warn them. They usually think I am crazy. I am, but for other reasons. 🥴
Bruce
BruceB,
If you had one of those Big Macs today, it would still be good!
From what I see on the internet, MickyD’s don’t go south even if they are stored in an old Letterman’s pocket and forgotten.
Just leave it up to Jackson or Ebay and the price will be rediclious . With a garage with room to spare and a reasonable price. A person could have a nice car to work on and drive around in. Not step back –look at it and afraid to drive it.
Being the “ultimate” tri-five, the bidding is only headed up and it’s gonna be out of my range. But while this thing will need a little welding and grinding in the floor, it’s really straight. Definitely not going to be a parts car. I think if the bidding doesn’t really go nuts, someone will have a relatively easy project car.
I don’t feel the need to move the shifter to the floor unless, like you, they want to put in a 4 speed.
Floor shift much more comfortable and practical, with the added bonus of not looking silly as you shift it…
It is more comfortable, I’ll admit. I figure if I’m going to all that trouble, however, may as well add a gear.
You would also get synchro on all four gears. The three speed is non-synchro in first and is a real bear in traffic.
Silly? Back in the day it was considered cool to go through the gears with your 3 speed Chevy or Pontiac. I guess you were not there.
Mark, there is already a hole in the floor and a 4 speed would improve driveability as that three speed does not have synchromesh on first gear. That was why I changed the tranny in my 64 Corvette from a 3 speed to a 4 speed. I probably reduced the value of the car, but it’s a lot easier to drive in traffic now.
Look closely, the shifter is already on the floor.
57 chevs had a bad habit of locking in second gear you needed to carry a short pry bar to get under the hood and knock the linkage into neutral, pain in the neck, fix a foxcraft floor shift,
Spark O Magic floor shifter 😂😂
A serious buyer would contact the seller and deal face to face saving fees and such.
Dave. Those look like concrete, not cinder blocks to me. But you’re right. Either are a lot stronger if flipped 90 degrees. And slip in a short piece of 2X6 between. Dave.
I had the same thought–the strength in concrete blocks is on the web side, rather than the solid side.
That is my first car! Bought in 1969 with $450 of my lawn cutting business money! It is quite literally a duplicate right down to the shifter! Oh, do I wish I could duplicate those days! No in a position to restore it, but what a great find!
This was also my first car. I bought it in 1967 for $300.
My first car also for $300 but in 1977 when I was 10. Great father son project–still have it 43 years later.
Sitting on the brake drums as it is, has ruined the drums, but that would be a relatively minor expense.
Amazing that the trip fives are still coming out of storage. Nice find.
What’s with the gap between the front & rear side glass on the passenger side? Is that the way they rolled up?
There are actually two motions on the rear windows. The first half lifts the window and as you keep cranking,the rear window slides forward. to meet the door glass. My 57 Pontiac is the same.
I have a 57 Pontiac Chieftain 2 Dr Hardtop and many of the parts are interchangeable with a 57 Chevy like this. Note the two speed electric wipers(an option instead of vacuum). Identical to Pontiac. When I changed my windshield to Soft Ray tinted many years ago,it came from a 57 Chevy. Same with the window regulators and the flap that opens and closes with the door to seal the top of the door windows. I believe the doors and decklid would also fit a Pontiac. The hood has the same measurements and could probably be adapted, but would look strange. On this Chevrolet, I would consider the four-speed for two reasons;one, there is already a big hole in the floor and 2 it would then have synchromesh on all gears. I changed my 64 Corvette from a 3 speed to a 4 speed for this very reason- no synchro on first gear It was a real bear in traffic with the 3 speed, but is delightful with the 4 speed. I would refresh the engine on this car, but no real mods except maybe to option it out ,redo the interior, paint and original style whitewall tires WITH the factory wheel covers. Put the radio back in the dash and hide a sound system (in my Pontiac,it fits nicely in the glove box). Most important, don’t overdo the paint. In 57, GM metallics were Acrylic Lacquer, no clearcoat. Do it right and you’ll have a survivor driver.
I am the proud owner of an ALL stock restored ’57 B.A. 2 dr. hdtp. Sierra Gold/Adobe Beige, & if I were to buy this car, I would restore it to as Original as I could get it! Drive train, Interior, Exterior, Etc. Etc. etc. When I go to car shows, people compliment me with the fact that….Boy, you sure dcn’t see many Originals like this anymore!!!!!
I know the feeling. I have a 1957 Pontiac Chieftain Catalina 2 door Hardtop. It also is a completely stock car with mostly original paint and all original running gear. I added power brakes and a hidden stereo (in the glove box,but left the original radio in the dash) Since the car came with a 3 speaker radio (2- 6x9s in the back and 1 up front) I was able to use these for the new stereo and everything looks stock. It has the original wheel covers and factory Tri-Power and appears pretty much the same as when my mom bought it new. I never see another one at a car show and when people walk by,a lot of them think it’s a 57 Chevy.When I tell them the engine is a 347 Tri-Power and has a 4 speed hydramatic, they correct me and say Chevy never built such a thing,it’s a 283 powerglide. What do I know? It’s only been in my family for 63 years!
I worked for a guy who drove us kids to different parts of the city and he had a white with blue trim 2dr hdt. Not sure if it was a Chieftain or even if they had a Bonneville then. I loved the feel of the power when he got on it and he was an old guy…I loved that car.
Looks like a great start to that dream car…The rear seat is original but not the front seat or the interior panels.
Looks decent for the right price!
Man, dig them rectangular wheels!
Wonder what the mileage rating is?
Years ago, when I was 22 y/o and working for the “Lazy B,” I had an argument with a group of my co-workers on the “Law of the Circle.” We were developing the Boeing 767, and I proposed the fact that the circle was the most powerful shape in the universe because of its DYNAMIC properties. The group argued the triangle was the most powerful because of its STATIC powers. Finally, after much heated argument, against 25 people I stated this; “Ok, here’s how we’ll settle this one. We’ll all go down to the tire shop and each of us will buy a NEW set of tires.
Youse guys all will buy TRIANGULAR tires, and I will buy ROUND ones, and then, we shall see just who gets home first.”
The argument was settled. I was respected from them on.
ThIS car AIN’t goin’ nowhere until it gets some ROUND tires and wheels.
Safety note: always use an APPROVED Jack stand with more than its rating before you roll under ANY vehicle!!!
it’s weird that there no outside mirrors i wander if they took them off.
I’d go for stock. Great color, rebuild the 283, clean up and repair the interior and floors. You had a hard time seeing an unmolested original by the early 1970’s. Nearly every one was altered in some way by then. You never see them like this. Wonder if this is an original paint car
If it is, I would surely save it. Very few left this old that still have the Orig. Paint!!!!! Doesn’t look that bad!
I want to question the paint. I believe it to be an original black car but the interior must have been red vinyl with black inserts. If you look at the ebay ad pic 6, under the radio shows “original” red paint? Whoever did paint it did the dash well I doubt the previous owner would have painted the firewall, inside the trunk, and door jams. Trim tag would only tell the original combo. Also I know the air cleaner is not 1957. I wonder if the 283 isn’t a later model either. Can’t see enough of the valve covers to see is canted or straight across.
If it is, I would surely save it. Very few left this old that still have the Orig. Paint!!!!! Doesn’t look that bad!
It’s been messed with fer sure and no virgin….a good first hand look would be in order. Nice car at the now price….
My husband and I were on a cruise last week with a local car club. One of the members has an all original 57 BelAir. Of course the paint and interior had a few minor marks, but that car is a thing of beauty.
If it were mine I’d restore the outside stock upgrade the suspension and especially the brakes then I’d rebuild the 283 to 270hp specs. with a 4speed 3.55 posi rear it would look stock but carry a bigger stick 👴
At $16K now with 48 bids and 1.5 hours to go.
Winning bid of $19,000.00 comes in right at the 5:50 pm cdt deadline. There were 52 bids.
AMAZING!!! Lucky seller.
Back in 1957 this car was the dream of many less-than-rich 16 year old car crazy guys like I was. A black Bel-Aire with V8 and straight shift was the ultimate and only made even better if it had Fuel Injection of the fenders. Those were the days.