There’s no denying that this is one sweet find! You really can’t go wrong with a Tri-Five, especially a ’57 Bel Air Convertible. This example was parked in 1982 and the seller got it back on the road last year. They’ve put 500 miles on it since reviving it, but they state that there is still some work to be done to take it to the next level. If you’d love to have this Power Pack equipped Bel Air, you can take a closer look at it here on eBay in Mora, Minnesota with a current bid of $15k and a BIN of $32k.
You had a number of engine options in ’57, ranging from the inline-six up to a fuel-injected V8. This one was optioned with the Power Pack 4-barrel carbureted 283 V8, which was rated at 220 horsepower. It’s paired to the 2-speed Powerglide transmission and both are in good working order. The engine is said to be numbers matching, so that’s a plus.
When the seller got the car, the original bench seat was in need of restoration, so they installed this pair of Pontiac bucket seats. If you want the original seat, it’s going to cost you an additional $700, but it would be worth buying it. The green shag carpet is going to need to go and it is probably safe to assume that it is covering some rust issues. Amazingly the dash pad looks to be in great shape, as does the rest of the dash. It’s going to need the rest of the interior restored to make it a really nice car.
The car was painted red sometime in the ’70s, but it appears to have held up well. It would be nice to have a closer look at said rust issues. There’s plenty of work to be done here to make this a top-level car, but it looks like a great starting point. The fact that you can start driving it right away, is a nice bonus and means you can enjoy it while you restore it. So, what do you think of this drop-top Bel Air?
$700.00 for the original front seat…!! What kind of cheep out move is that? The seller should give his head a shake the seat isn’t fit to be in the car right know thus the bucket seats. This would be a nicer car if it were a hard top I personally don’t care for convertibles. They almost always have no floor left in them. This car is rougher than it appears in picture and if you want it get ready for a big restoration.
I agree with canadainmarkseh, why is the seat extra? That’s like saying you need to pay more for the motor because it’s an optional V-8… Pass.
I once drove 3 hours to look at a car like this. I drove 3 hours back 5 minutes later.
I have a feeling this one looks good in low res only…
Gotta love that green shag carpet😁
Unfortunately $700 is the going price for a 55/57 2 door front seat. The kids who owned those cars in the 1970’s put bucket seats in a lot of them and threw out the bench seat.
I know two people who needed a “Tri Five” bench seat and both ran into a lot of them priced around $700. I sent one guy to an old time junk yard where he found one for $200. By the time the second one showed up I had just found a complete interior for $100. It was a local guy clearing out his dad’s scrap yard. He wanted $50 for just the front seat, but the lady was so happy she gave him $100.
Nice car till I saw the carpet!! Who puts lime green carpet in a car that’s red with black interior????
My big question is why didn’t the seller put the car on the lift and photograph the underbelly? And I’m with you guys, the added 700 for the front seat on a high priced car like this is a sleazy move. Buy with care on this one. If it doesn’t shine underneath its no good. caveat Emptor.
Cheers
GPC
I agree with the comments above regarding the seller not including the original seat with the car that it belongs in. For $32,000, he should include the seat and kiss the a$$ of anybody willing to part with so much money for a driver level car that needs quite a bit of work. I don’t know what those Pontiac bucket seat are out of but wouldn’t it be funny if they were worth more than the bench seat? I wouldn’t buy the car from this guy just because of the seat issue.
Last seat I sold went for $450 at the last swap meet……….still think the seller is a bad person for not letting it go with the car for what’s being asked.
Remember replacing a Dodge Dart convertibile bench seat with a pair of Mustang buckets. Probably the reason for my bad back in latter years”.All the girls I’ve loved before.” No disrespect-Nobody-.Complained. It was the 70’s. A time when I thought it was the beginning of equality. I certainly raised my daughter that way. In her late 30’s she’s a healthy well adjusted,married executive.
The purchase price is the least expensive component of this project. Even to make it a suitable driver is going to really eat some cash. Interior, seats, and top. Probably needs suspension bushings, and I suspect leaks fluids everywhere. Oh, and rust, don’t forget about that. But the buyers probably already know all of this and the thought of a convertible 57 for 30K is pretty enticing. Some carpet and the top down puts you on the road for under 35K. Not bad for a dip into the 57 fun zone. I’d probably do it if it were closer, but I’ve learned NOT, NOT, NOT to buy anything you don’t look at in person on Ebay.
Amen.
Amen, Jay e!!!
Cheers
GPC
Wow. Its has its own golf green inside.
Have to persinally in person before bidding/ buying