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Promising Project: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Few cars have remained a staple of the classic car scene as long as the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. It has been coveted since the 1970s, and after five decades, enthusiasts continue to clamor to park one in their driveway. This Bel Air looks pretty tired, but it is a solid vehicle that could make a satisfying restoration project. The buyer may elect to retain the period-correct V8 under the hood, although a drivetrain upgrade would be an easy proposition for a buyer seeking better performance. It is listed for sale here on Craigslist in Olive Branch, Mississippi. If you hand the owner $15,500, you could take this baby home today.

By 1957, fins were the king in American automotive styling. The ’57 Bel Air followed that trend, although its fins were more restrained than those found on other models. Some of those vehicles look dated today, but Chevrolet hit the right combination with the Bel Air. The trim treatment on the rear quarter panels probably helped its cause, giving the car a lower and sleeker appearance. This Bel Air looks tired, and it is impossible to spot its paint color under a heavy coating of surface corrosion. What is encouraging is that little of this corrosion has leaped into the world of penetrating rust. There may be a few spots in the lower extremities, but I can’t see anything that may require the replacement of acres of steel. The same is true of the floors and trunk pan. There are patches on both front floors, but the rest looks pretty good. The seller supplies no information on the frame, but it appears encouraging. If I were to buy this classic, I would tackle it as a frame-off build. That would take more time and effort, but the results should justify that path. Some of the trim has seen better days, while a couple of pieces of glass are “clouding” around the edges. Returning the car to its former glory will take more than a weekend, but I can’t spot anything that a competent person couldn’t tackle in a home workshop.

One thing this Bel Air needs is an interior. The photos show that while the door trims and some upholstered pieces are intact, there are no seats. An online search could bear fruit, but it may take patience. If the buyer strikes gold, trim kits in the correct colors and materials are easy to find. If a custom build is the aim, the choices widen significantly. If you fancy the luxury of leather and have the money, why not pursue that option? After all, it’s your money! The radio is missing, but I think the rest of the dash is intact.

The 1957 model year saw Chevrolet add the 283ci V8 to the Bel Air’s options list. That is what we find hiding under this car’s hood, which is backed by a two-speed Powerglide transmission. It is unclear whether the vehicle is numbers-matching nor when it last ran. The entry-level 283 offered 185hp and, combined with the Powerglide, allowed the car to clock a ¼-mile ET of 18.7 seconds. There were more potent versions, and the intake on this car suggests that this may be one of those or that someone has undertaken a few upgrades. Coaxing it back to life may be possible, although budgeting for a rebuild as part of the project build would be wise. Slotting something newer and more potent into the engine bay is another option, and kits for many of these conversions are available off the shelf. It is a path that some potential buyers will consider.

This 1957 Bel Air is a genuine blank canvas for its next owner. A faithful restoration is a possibility to consider while slotting an improved and more modern drivetrain under its skin would allow it to retain its charm while offering the owner a more civilized motoring experience. Values continue climbing, although the trend has slowed in the last couple of years. Whether that indicates they have peaked is unclear, although I doubt it. A spotless car should represent a solid long-term investment, but that is probably not the thought at the forefront of most people’s minds when they look at owning one of these classics. People buy the ’57 Bel Air because they like them, which seems like as good a reason as any to park this one in your workshop.

Comments

  1. Avatar fred w

    “It has been coveted since the ’70s…” that’s true, but in the 70’s I think you could buy this car for under $200. I bought a running 4 door hardtop ’57 Belair with 265 power pack and Powerglide for $150 and terrorized the neighbors by turning the cul de sac into a dragstrip

    Like 6
  2. Avatar Nomader 55

    Looks like this started as a seafoam green, six banger with three on the tree.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Rbig18

    Correct, obviously converted from a 6 cyl to a V8.

    Like 1
    • Avatar johnny

      It’s definitely got a 6 cylinder radiator core support with the rad mounted forward for the longer engine block. But the hood and trunk lid both have holes for the V indicating 8 cylinder. Who knows what the story is behind this, could have been smacked in the front and a new front clip was put on with the V8 Hood retained. Rocker panel molding holes appear to have been filled also. If these cars could talk about what’s happened to them over the last 65 years, a book could be written about each one of them.

      Like 2
  4. Avatar johnmloghry

    It was a beautiful summer day in 1968. I browsed the Tacoma newspapers want ads and scanning the cars for sale when i spotted a 1957 Chevy Bel Air 2 door hardtop for $200. So I called the number and talked to the lady selling the car. After getting the address I drove over to take a look, the white body was clean and the red interior was in great shape, I didn’t even haggle just dropped the hard earned money down ( I made $2.80 an hour working at Nalley’s fine foods) and drove away in my new to me car of my childhood dreams. The 283 ran good and the power glide trans worked well, but the exhaust system was nearly non-existent and the brakes needed new shoes. I was one proud young man as I drove my new purchase home. Turned out the car had a bad habit of vapor locking at the most inopportune times. Thus was the demise of the car. It vapor locked on the freeway at a construction zone and wouldn’t start up. One of my brothers came and we towed it to his place where it sat until another brother decided to try to get it started by pulling it with a rope wrapped around the front bumper which only managed to bend the bumper. In the mean time I went to California to visit my parents and the brother whose place the car was parked at sold the car.
    Now for this one listed It looks to me like a lot of work will be needed and I just don’t want to get into that much at this time.

    God Bless America

    Like 5
  5. Avatar Jack M.

    The seller has been hanging out with too many Mopar people. No way that I would drop 15 grand on that mess.

    Like 8
  6. Avatar Chris Member

    Looks like someone’s been watching Barret Jackson

    Like 4
  7. Avatar princeofprussia

    The seats look uncomfortable.

    Like 6
  8. Avatar Stinger

    Throw in the Camaro Conv. in the background and I’m in.

    Like 4
  9. Avatar Danny

    Perhaps, a tad high, however, you are talking about one of the most iconic automobiles ever to roll off an American assembly line. This car has graced Hot rod clubs, race tracks of all grades, the movie industry and become part of Americana since it’s birth and past 65 years! These cars like the muscle cars of the 60s and 70s, have moved to a higher platform, as I have mentioned numerous times. Individuals who still talk of these cars values at currently 1000 or 1500 dollars are living in a serious time warp! You need to accept the fact, these cars are major investments with expectation of a future major return also. Accept that fact or stay in the past, while the current reality continues to leave you in the dust.

    Like 5
    • Avatar R.Lee

      And you obviously have not priced original parts or aftermarket. 25 years ago a perfect original 57 Bel Air was 35k+.

      To start over and build this car without having the ready parts you will be upsidedown before you know it and you will never get your money back.

      Just try to rechrome parts or fix the stainless. OH BOY. Someone somewhere has everything ready for the car. That guy may break even or do it for grins.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Danny

        R. Lee, thank you for the reply to my post regarding the 57 Chevy. First I would like to respond to several points you brought to the forefront regarding this venue. (1) I would not argue or debate that 25 years past you could have purchased an original 57 for 35k, point made. Stop! However, this is not 1997, or back to the future! This is the same old mindset which I have addressed numerous times on this site, and people need to accept the fact this venue of cars had attained a new higher platform, regarding value. Stop! (2) it is not wise to assume everyone on this site is a novice regarding, the work it takes and cost to complete a restoration on one of these RARE cars. I have completed dozens of these cars frame off, replacing sheet metal etc. I have been their done that, numerous times. I am currently restoring a 1970 Chevelle SS, ground up. Stop! The bottom line is do I miss the past and easy access to these rare cars? Yes I do! However, these cars are very scarce, and the market has adjusted to that reality. Accept that fact or stay in the past. Take care.

        Like 2
  10. Avatar Ken

    Another tri5 in the background also

    Like 0
  11. Avatar karl

    Promising project ? No penetrating rust ? I see Bonda in the rockers and lower fenders, and the floors have been patched, so there’s hidden rust there for sure .Adam , 15K for a base model car that’s missing a lot of stuff and needs everything is hardly what I call a promising project !

    Like 3
  12. Avatar George Birth

    anyone who pays $15K for this piece of junk needs their head examined. You would need to strip it down to bare metal and start from scratch. By the time you would finish you’d be into this anywhere from $40-$50K.. Not worth more than a parts car or possibly a Rat Rod.

    Like 1

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