Parked in 1986: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

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Way back in 1986, this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air was parked in a barn, and it has only recently been brought out of hiding. While it might now need some cosmetic work, it is nonetheless a pretty nice car with plenty of potential. The Bel Air is located in Saint James, New York, and is listed for sale here on eBay. At the time of writing, bidding has reached a mere $2,550 in what is a No Reserve auction.

Finished in Inca Silver with an Imperial Ivory top, this is a striking looking car. The owner claims that the Bel Air is all original, which would tend to suggest that the car has never undergone a repaint. However, the way the paint is peeling in places would indicate that this is not the case, and the new owner may be forced to consider stripping the panels to bare metal to ensure that any repaint is top notch. Sure, it might have a few minor dings and dents to address, but what it doesn’t have is rust to contend with. There is nothing visible on the exterior of the car beyond what looks like some surface corrosion in various locations around the car. The owner claims that the floors are solid, and the supplied photos only seem to show a coating of surface corrosion.

The interior of the Bel Air certainly has the “wow” factor, and apart from some fitment issues with the new carpet that will need to be addressed, there doesn’t look like there is anything much to do inside the car. The interior is complete, right down to the factory radio, while there isn’t even any appreciable wear showing on the steering wheel.

Under the hood is the original 283ci V8, and normally you would expect this to produce 185hp. The good news is that this Bel Air was optioned with the Power Pack, meaning that what you is the Super Turbo-Fire 283, which produces a healthy 220hp. Let’s face it, you can never have too much power. The Bel Air also features a 2-speed Powerglide transmission and power steering. The owner says that the car runs really well, but doesn’t indicate whether it is ready to return to the road. Assuming that it isn’t, that could mean that there will be a bit of work required to prepare the car for active duty, but the signs are still pretty encouraging.

I know that there will be a group of our readers who will look at this Bel Air and say that it has two doors too many, and that is probably a fair call. However, there will also be a group of people who will look at the car and see the benefits of owning a 4-door classic, particularly if they have a young family that they want to include in the classic car ownership experience. This is a great car, and the more powerful engine is a real bonus. If the car is in good mechanical health, there is no reason why it couldn’t be driven and enjoyed exactly as it currently stands. The owner does float the suggestion of it being either a perfect restoration or rat rod project. Personally, I’d love to see the Bel Air restored. How about you?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. redwagon

    I decided a while ago that 4 doors are just fine — as long as they are pillarless hardtops. I just would not do a post 4 door.

    Regarding this car the silver with red/black interior and an off white roof is a really, really sharp color combo. The upgraded v8 doesn’t hurt either.

    Like 6
  2. Will Fox

    The highest-volume production model `57 Bel Air should keep the price reasonable. These are a dime a dozen. Given it’s age, the interior looks great.

    Like 1
  3. Brittany

    How do the “bids” work..

    Like 0
  4. Denny Nevada

    I also realized many years ago, that a four door sedan, can be just as much fun as a two door, at the local car show, Cruise night, or as a nice weather daily driver. My first car was a four door 1955 Pontiac sedan, and next was a 1957 Pontiac four door hardtop…I really enjoyed kicking in the 4 barrel, on my 57…It was a well optioned Pontiac, with low mileage when I bought it, and I drove it daily, for about two years, then sold it for more than I paid for it. I moved on to Pontiac convertibles, from there.
    This Chevy is a perfect opportunity for someone, to get into the hobby, or for someone who owned one years ago, and wants to relive the fun times, once again…or to complete, a nice paint job, disc brakes, etc, and enjoy as a daily driver. Another nice thing, about a sedan, is you can change the color, to a more preferred factory color, and not really hurt the value of the car. First, and foremost, this,is a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, with a 283 Power Pack V-8, the all American Icon, the holy grail…finish it with respect, in the way it left the factory, with a quality paint job, in factory color, with 57 wheel covers, detail it from from front to back, inc the trunk and engine bay, add disc brakes and other updated safety components, an aluminum radiator, dual brake system, hide a modern sound system, etc…and Enjoy It. That’s just my opinion ☺️

    Like 5
  5. PatrickM

    I really want this car. I have enough to bid, but it is ear-marked for other projects!!
    AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
    I had a ’57 2 dr, 210 with a hot 283. Too much to list here. Sure wish I still had it. (He says, wiping his eyes)

    Like 2
  6. CapNemo HydTech

    And once again………..

    Like 0
  7. TimM

    The interior looks flawless!!! It’s not at a super high price!! Might be a good buy for someone!!

    Like 3
  8. MartyMember

    I call dibs on the ’63 Impala hubcaps!

    Like 0
  9. Chuck

    I suspect the front clip has been replaced, either with a used black original or whoever did the work simply painted over the factory black replacement panels without properly prepping. The interior is amazing if original. I am not a four-door post fan, but I would let this one sleep next to my 58 Edsel convertible. Wonder what they would produce. No Edsel jokes, please.

    Like 1
  10. Barry

    The fact that it is a 57 chevy means it would add dignity to any car show or parking lot.

    Like 1
  11. Daddy Mac

    I had a four door 210 some 35 years ago ! (Yikes)
    As an apprentice panel beater Down Under I did a Full Resto mod on it . Was looking at books with Belair coupes and convertibles But all we had was four doors here ! Back then had to be rich to import one !
    I loved that car, But Now I have a 56 Big window 3200 Step side !
    I love the USA and everything that comes out of there !
    ( Stars and Stripes for ever ). 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

    Like 3
  12. Mountainwoodie

    Now I’m not one to speculate……TOO MUCH………..BUT……the humidity driven mold on the dash paint coupled with the underneath rust on the frame and the general condition of the engine compartment tells me ( he who knows all) that there is no way the interior is original. Maybe the original seat pattern but the same fabric the car left the factory with………sorry………..no way.
    That said…… the corollary to the two doors too many theorem…….is that 4 doors before 1962 is ok in my book. If this doesnt get past the 4 door value point………it looks like it might be worth a toss.

    Like 3
    • JBP

      Why before 1962?
      I have no problems with 4 doors, as long as the price is right. I would love to cruise in this,with whole family
      🇺🇸🇺🇸👍🇩🇰

      Like 1
    • JBP

      Why before 1962?
      I have no problems with 4 doors, as long as the price is right. I would love to cruise in this,with whole family. I have 3 4 doors classic cars, and they get allmost same attention as two doors car’s
      🇺🇸🇺🇸👍🇩🇰

      Like 0
  13. PatrickM

    Bidding at $4,605.00. This car will fetch some green. It may have 4 doors, but, really, who cares?? This is a Tri-Five Chevy!! Many folks, today, don’t understand the lingo and the meaning attached to it. Yes, a lot of foreign imports will wax in a quarter mile or from light to light. But, when these came out, it established a class of cars that really hasn’t been matched since. ’55 and ’56 Fords did just about the same thing. ’57 Fords did, too. Mid ’60’s Mopar’s, too. I am just partial to the Chevy’s. Someone is going to get a nice car to work with.

    Like 1
  14. Rob

    “meaning that what you is the Super Turbo-Fire 283″…

    Always a great linguistic adventure here on Barn Finds, lol!

    Great car too. There is nothing wrong with four doors. I only had one two door car that had doors long enough to allow normal (i.e. non-contortionist humans) the ability to get in the back seat: 1977 Chrysler New Yorker. I had a 2004 Pontiac GTO and it was difficult to get in the back seat to help the kids buckle-up. Had a 2008 BMW 328i 2-door and couldn’t get into the back seat to buckle the kids up. So while 2 doors sometimes have better lines and look sleeker, four door cars are what you can live day-to-day in. For this reason I feel that 4-door cars should be saved too as that is what the bulk of people drove. Although I still miss the heck out of that New Yorker….

    Like 0

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