Apparently, this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop was found by the current owner while driving back roads in the middle of nowhere. It now resides in Townsend, Massachusetts, and can be found for sale here on eBay with a current bid of just over $16,000. According to the ad, this car was built as a hot rod in the 1960s and was parked in the 1980s after the owner passed away. It has been pulled from its resting spot, freshened up, and has been driven a few hundred miles to make sure everything is working well. Check out this amazing find!
As you can see, the interior looks fairly nice. The black and white combination is really attractive and the hot rod build is believable based on the period-correct aftermarket parts. There is also a vintage Hurst shifter and 70s Craig under-dash radio that still works.
The engine was apparently rebuilt just before it was parked in the 1980s. The current owner has done a complete tuneup including plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, condenser, hoses, etc. The seller says the car runs smoothly with no smoke and doesn’t overheat at all. The transmission is a second-generation 4-speed Muncie that “works perfectly” and is topped by a vintage shift knob.
Overall, this car would make a cool period hot rod or gasser. The vintage-style Radir wheels are really attractive and look great. What do you think of this car? Would you drive it as-is or continue to make improvements or restore it?
I learned to drive a stick shift on the steepest of hills of San Francisco.
Back in the day, so did everyone else.
Had to do a hill start during my drivers test in1962. Nailed it. Every manual trans new car I bought since then got a hill start test as part of the test drive.
I was doin really good with the clutch. So good, my Dad made me do a hill start in reverse in his then 10 year old 62 Mk2 Jag. Car was forgiving but it still rattled me the first few tries. Then he made me do it with just the mirrors (no looking back over your shoulder). That was actually easier. Good memories…thanks GBA47
Me too. In the 50 and 60s.
Crusty cool!
Some cool old school. Reminds me of my friends ’57. His has the black and blue interior but done up old hot rod style. He dropped the 283/glide combo for a Dart 434/200 4R/ 9″. Fun ride that gets driven like it should. Would be nice to have the one listed here. Maybe do the 331 stroker from back in the day and a little more meat in the rear. I dig the interior though. My neighbor has a sweet blue 57 with similar build as this. It shows its age but still presents well considering him and his friends built it in the 70’s. He also has a pristine red convertible if he has that need for the restored ride. Sorry, no pics of those….I hope somebody keeps the vibe this one was given.
Cutting up any car as good as this to make a gasser these days should be illegal. Go find a piece of junk if you want to build a car that’s really not worth anything but vintage drag racing. Restore it as is and drive it.
What’s the big deal? If someone wants to do whatever with it, so be it. To each his own. So why don’t you buy it and do what you see fit.
Jeez, get off your high horse.😁
It’s a rust bucket and will cost a fortune to restore. To rough even to turn it into a race car again. Sorry !
Nice find! I would be proud to bring her home.
Love it would drive just the way it looks now and have a blast!
This looks a lot like a car I went to look at in the early 1970’s in Ma., also in the middle of no where that I could have bought at the time for $750…wanted it bad but at the time I was a kid and didn’t have the $$…
Had 1953 Studebaker Commander with a device called a hill holder. You would come to a hill, push the clutch pedal down and brake pedal. The brake would hold a car on the hill untill you let the clutch out. Also had an under the seat heater, and Overdrive
I had a 50 Champion for my first car, the heater was also under the front passenger seat and armrest/storage compartments in the rear seats.
Yes, to each his own, But if it were mine, I would restore it to All Original ! I guess there’s not many of us left, eth?
Appreciate you providing content everyday but can you find the less disgusting advertisers?
There are several ways to go on this. 1. You could buy it for $16k spend $20k to cut it up to build a gasser and have a car worth maybe $20k. 2. You could buy it at this price, spend $30k restoring it and have a car worth as much as $60k. 3. Buy it and do just enough to make it drivable and it be worth maybe $25k. It all depends on what you want out of it. Me, I’d go for restoration ever time.
If I had the money to buy it I’d just paint the hood and leave the rest of it be. Cool car within easy driving distance for me.
Love the way you think Rustytech.
Very nice. I even like the wheels. Needs a hood, drivers side fender, rear bumper and paint, without climbing under it…. good start.
Nice 57. I’d fix any rust present, address any other issues it might have and drive the hell out of it. Whoever customized this back in the 70s did a nice job. It has a neat retro vibe now. I hope it finds a good home.
Fix the rust.
Turn it into a Black Widow
Drive it.
Too cool fer skool. Why can’t I come across a neglected ’57 hardtop with a 4 speed o the floor?
Back in ’72 as a really young kid I found a 4 door ’56 Chevy hardtop near Boulder Colorado… paid 250 bucks!. Ran like a dream, Canary yellow, tuck and roll !! (lol) black naugahyde interior (lol)…..but I was in heaven. Slushbox but what the hey.
I think I traded it for some plants :)
I don’t understand restoration. There has been a car built that couldn’t be improved .
I meant to say there has never a car built that couldn’t be improved
I agree with the black widow idea. Did a 55 in that style, turned heads everytime I drove it.