Four-door cars aren’t cool, right? Wrong. When they’re hardtops rather than sedans, the coolness starts to come back. Case-in-point is this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Sedan, the company’s moniker for a 4-door Hardtop. This one looks quite nice at 65,000 miles and we’re told the beautiful interior is original. Located in Hastings, Michigan, this survivor is available here on craigslist for $13,500 (which sounds pretty reasonable). Bravo, Barn Finder Rocco B., for another grand tip!
When Chevy redesigned its cars in 1955, the Sport Sedan wasn’t a part of the mix. It didn’t arrive until 1956 and stayed there until pure hardtops disappeared from the GM landscape in the latter 1970s. In 1957 more than 142,500 of them were built, so buyers liked what they saw. And when they’re finished in India Ivory over Matador Red paint like this one, what’s not to love?
The seller doesn’t go into the history of this Bel Air and how it has stayed so nice for so long. Lower mileage is one way to do it, but tender loving care must also be a factor. This machine has the new-for-1957 283 cubic inch V8, an extension of the 265 that Chevy rolled out in ’55. This is a “Power Pack” Chevy, meaning it came with a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust to boost the horsepower to 180. A 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission is along for the ride, as is power steering and brakes.
This beauty has been treated to new tires and brakes. We’re told it’s a driver-quality auto, though the presentation suggests it could be better than that. If you’ve been wanting a nice Tri-Five Chevrolet and don’t mind more than two doors, this looks like a genuinely nice find.
What a beautiful design, the likes of which we’ll never see again
My dream car(yes, love the practical 4 doors; the 8 foot doors on the 2 door models with the “crawl-over-your-back seats” is NOT for me).
I would probably put a 350 in it along with disc brakes and power windows.
Except the ’57 Ford outsold it. I happen to like 56-57 shoebox four door hardtops.
Been a long time since I’ve seen a 4-door sport sedan, especially a ’57. Always liked hardtops and the 4-doors are a rarity.
If everything checks out, this is a great deal.
I wouldn’t touch it. Possibly Vintage Air.
That interior looks like new to be original and the asking price seems a bit low for its overall condition. If it’s legit it will sell quickly.
My only gripe with most Chevys with automatics of this period, is the power-sapping Powerglide. Why didn’t Chevy design a three-speed auto to hook up with the wonderful small-blocks (or big blocks for that matter)? They did make a TurboGlide but it was arguably worse than the Powerglide.
Never understood the popularity of 55,56,and 57 Chevrolet. BUT 57 especially Bel Air is the best of the three. Similarity to 57 Chrysler (especially rear sides) is obvious. There was a 56 and 57 Chevy based EL MOROCCO done by an independent! That was real CLASS! Actually surprised the price on this isn’t higher. At least it isn’t Down and Out in Beverly Hills! 😉
Post gone either sold fast or fake
Yeah, if it wasn’t fake someone local got a great deal!
If it was in Montana I would buy today
Post gone either sold fast or fake
185 hp. Motors had a two bbl. w/single exh. This 220 hp. motor has the stock 4 bbl. w/ dual exh.which is very good of course.
This is a beautiful car in Matador Red!
The Power Packs were what we wanted then, especially if it had a straight drive. It seems many people had the chrome dual exhausts rerouted below the bumpers. The very rare overdrive option with a three speed made these cars more desirable for street racing as they came with a lower rear end. I think the overdrive ratio was 3.70 to 1.
In 1965 I was going to automotive trade school in Spokane. My ride was a 57 two-ten 4 door sedan. Power Pac 283 column shift 3 and over. It had factory 4:11 gears. A friend bought a new 64 SS 409 with a powerglide. Fast car but my little 283 would eat it big for about a block and a half. In a 1/4 mile he would have me by 6 car lengths.
Beautiful looking car. It’s a damn shame that the craigslist ad had been taken down. Typical craigslist. I love seeing more pics of a car, the more pics, the better.
Lovely car — beautiful condition. At the price, even with a four-door, I have my doubts. These were selling in the $50,000 range ten and more years ago: this sets off my “tilt” detector. A 1957 at $13,500 that isn’t a “basket-case”? — they’ve got to be KIDDING me!
how do i get a hold of seller.. i want it
Any 57 Chevy…2 door, 4 door, even a 3 door, selling for less than 20K is either fake or stolen! Can’t believe this ad made it out of the printshop!
James Mulhauser, you said it better than I did!
Either someone got an unbelievable deal, or this was a fake ad. A Sports Sedan (no pillar), low mileage, Power Pack, Power Brakes, Power Steering, in this color and condition is a $35K car (or more!) all day long. I have seen them go for as much as 60k. This combination is the best 4 door car ever made. Very rare and desirable, I don’t think I have seen another. I would have bought it immediately and I’m not even looking!