Rebuilt V8: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

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The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air has remained a staple of the classic scene for decades, and that trend shows no sign of changing. Solid and clean examples, especially two-door variants, command stunning prices when they hit the market. This Bel Air is a gem. It underwent a frame-off restoration that has left it rust-free. However, the freshly rebuilt V8 forms part of a drivetrain that promises excellent performance. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Waymart, Pennsylvania. Bidding sits below the reserve at $9,100, with plenty of time for interested readers to throw their hats into the ring for this beauty.

The seller indicates this Bel Air has seen little use since receiving a frame-off restoration. They didn’t spare the pennies on this classic, with $50,000 spent to bring the car to its current standard. The body was returned to a rust-free state before they applied a sparkling coat of Butternut yellow paint. The panels are laser-straight, with the tight and consistent gaps suggesting they focused on the finer details with this build. They mention using a wide range of new parts during the process, and I suspect trim components and tinted glass may have been on the list. The trim condition is excellent, and the glass looks flawless. The Bel Air rolls on a set of vintage Cragar wheels, and while they won’t appeal to all tastes, they suit this car’s character and are consistent with the modifications performed below the surface.

The Bel Air’s interior doesn’t “grab” me to the same extent as its exterior. There is nothing inherently wrong inside this classic, with the steel wearing fresh paint. Most upholstered surfaces feature the correct factory vinyl combination, with the seats sporting Black cloth covers. The carpet is new, and the headliner looks excellent. It is undeniably tidy but seems to be missing an indefinable quality that would make it genuinely “pop.” Your opinion may differ from mine, or you might be able to identify what it needs to stand out. It will be fascinating to gauge your feedback on the subject.

Lifting the hood reveals a drivetrain configuration that reflects the seller’s desire to create a classic that is a competent and reliable performer. The engine bay houses a 400ci V8 that sends its power to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. They upgraded the brakes with power front discs, ensuring it stops as well as it goes. Engine specifications are unclear, but the V8 and transmission have only clocked around 1,000 miles since receiving a complete rebuild. They don’t indicate how the Bel Air runs or drives, but the suggestions are that potential buyers should consider it a turnkey proposition.

This 1957 Bel Air presents well and should offer its new owner years of motoring pleasure. It has no immediate needs, although the buyer may wish to place their mark on its interior to personalize its appearance. The bidding action has been surprisingly subdued, with only seven submitted at the time of writing. There is probably a fair way to go before it hits the reserve, but are you tempted to join the party on this beauty?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Tony

    There’s no date when the frame-off restoration took place, but looking at the underside pics I would assume a frame-on restoration due to the condition of the chassis. Definitely need onsite inspection on this one.

    Like 6
    • Ted Williams

      This car is no where original. Wrong seats, engine. Flag shows fuel injection. Not there. Would not pay what your asking. Nice color though.

      Like 2
  2. Jerry Bramlett

    This might be a very nice car, but the eBay listing isn’t doing it any favors. No VIN mention, trim tag photo, rust repair history, or owner contact info.

    Judging from the many alterations from stock, I wouldn’t consider this car “restored” in any sense of the word. The fonky bucket seat covers, dirty carpet, and missing trunk parts makes it look like a high school project gone bad. The FI fender emblems make it interesting to me though.

    I’m too far away for an easy inspection, and I’m not patient enough to try to get more photos through a listing service. That’s too bad. I could be a buyer if the reserve isn’t too high.

    Like 9
    • Terrry

      Between the lazy pictures and the sub-standard interior, perhaps the seller is just unloading a flipper?

      Like 8
    • Jeff

      Probably about $25 K. You know me Jerry…you did my 67 Corvette tripower mangold’s…I’m a musician and im from Baltimore.

      Like 2
    • Ashtray

      @Jerry. I concur!
      The body was off the frame in 1957 before it was assembled.
      Don’t common sense tell us that a potential buyer would want to see just a few pics of the body off restoration?
      I like the car, I just don’t like the ad!
      This paint job sure isn’t professionally done.
      I think we’re getting the ‘mushroom treatment’.
      It still sounds like a good find and probably worth some decent money.
      My Dad had a 57 Chevy that I drove when I was ten years old in KY.
      Just my oponion!

      Like 2
  3. Jack Quantrill

    If this were at the recent Barrett-Jackson auction, it would go over $100,000 easily!

    Like 1
    • Terry

      The recent B-J auction had some of the lowest prices in a long time. Classic cars take an early hit when the economy looks shaky.

      Like 4
      • Midway

        If your classic is paid for hold on to it, if your buying you may find a good deal if you look long enough. Another year and it may be reversed

        Like 1
  4. John Ssnford

    Yellow color very rare and attractive. I have.always liked they factory wheel covers on tri-fives, particularly 1956. I believe the Cramer five spokes detract from the original wheel covers great look in 1957 introduction.

    Like 3
  5. Terrry

    I agree with the author. Outside? A resounding yes! Inside? A decidedly “meh” Did they really have to put those gawd-awful seats with center storage bin in, and covered the seats with a cheap cover no less? If someone buys this, spend a little and do the interior right, please!

    Like 12
  6. Johnmloghry johnmloghry

    To me it looks like more than one person was owner of this car during restoration. First person did the body off restoration but didn’t finish the a second owner got involved putting in the drive train (which by the way if it’s a Chevy 400 it’s a truck engine not meant to be high horse power, if it’s a Pontiac 400 then yeah it’s a high output engine) They were designed completely different for specific applications. The 4 speed trans is cool for those who like rowing gears as I do. The seats and interior look to have been a low dollar installation that should be gotten rid of and replace with some nice color matched yellow and white seats, buckets are okay but I would stay with bench.

    God Bless America

    Like 7
    • Davey Boy

      The motor could’ve come from an early 70’s Caprice or Impala just as easily as from a pickup.

      Like 9
    • Wayne H. Hultquist

      johnmloghry you most likely are mistaken about your engine comment, not all CHEVY 400 ‘s were from trucks. I had a 76 Malibu that had a factory 400 sm blk under the hood.

      Like 0
  7. bobhess bobhessMember

    I’d be mildly excited about this car but the scruffy engine compartment doesn’t match anything called a restoration in my book. johnmloghry hit all the other areas that don’t exactly make you want to go out and buy this car.

    Like 4
  8. JC

    I’m finding that 50k cost for restoration a bit of a tall tale. Walmart covers on the front buckets, a filthy interior, underside pics that definitely don’t convey a frame off claim, rusty parts under the hood. Meh, it looks like a nice driver but definitely not show car status. Watching it just to see where it goes.

    Like 12
    • Reggie

      JC I agree..if someone laid out $50k for restoration they got took. Outside is ok but not top notch by any means, and the interior has a lot to be desired…I am surprised noone has mentioned the piece missing at the bottom of the steering column leaving just wires hanging out in the breeze. Seems to me they are asking WAY too much for what is presented.

      Like 4
  9. Mark in TN

    This car has the rubber bullets on the front bumper. Some Bel Airs had them others didn’t. Maybe someone can educate me as to when they were installed. I would want a bench seat in a 57. 400 small blocks were not just truck engines. Dad bought a 71 Caprice that had the 400 small block with 2 barrel carb.

    Like 4
    • Johnmloghry Johnmloghry

      Designed to be a truck engine.

      Like 2
    • mustang melvin

      400 small block, torque motor, not high HP. Installed in alot of sedans, wagons and pick ups. 1971 400 Caprice would run door to door against 1970 350 4 barrel Impala, but the Impala would start pulling away at the top end. 400 is a good runner, not just a “truck motor”.

      Like 4
    • al

      rubber bullets where a option

      Like 0
  10. Andy G

    I’m a fan of “driver quality” cars. To me this looks like a good driver not too “shiny” to use. Doesn’t appear to need anything unless a heater is desired.

    Like 3
  11. Thomas Smithey

    Really…if this was a $50K frame off…someone didn’t get their money’s worth. Just too many things that don’t seem to align properly in the photos….

    Like 6
  12. Charlesross

    This is not 50ks worth of Chevy here not down south anyhow the interior is spartan the motor is ho hum body clean outside don’t know about rest if they got 50in it they would be very lucky to break out sorry.

    Like 7
  13. Terry

    Really nice Chevy that needs more info to get top dollar. I’m never very interested when they are shy with the pictures. 400’s can be good but that motor needs sprucing like the interior. Period correct tach and a bench would help the interior and an aluminum intake with valve covers and a nice carb and headers would help under the hood…

    Like 1
  14. Troy

    Nice looking car $50k invested in restoration means the shop that did it pocketed $30k

    Like 8
  15. 19sixty5Member

    I really like the color, and looks really good with the factory tinted glass, but this car needs some attention. $50k restoration how long ago? When you see a quick link chain connector to attach the carb return spring, it makes you wonder about what you can’t see…

    Like 4
  16. john Zoccano

    No wonder the bidding is so low. This is a joke!..$50000 on restoration and Walmart seat covers??the list goes on judging by the pics but I’ve already spent too much time here LMAO

    Like 3
  17. Steve

    That’s an interesting photo of the engine compartment. Is that a NOS factory
    carabiner securing the spring on the accelerator linkage?

    Like 1
  18. Larry

    The wheels are Cragar!!

    Like 2
  19. justpaul

    It seems odd to go as far as the seller claims to have gone ($50,000 in the “restoration”) and then leave the interior looking like someone’s cat has been living in it for a few years.

    I’d want to go over this car very carefully before I bid. It may be just an interior refresh short of being a true joy, or it may be something else entirely. Hard to tell from just the photos.

    Like 2
  20. Dal Carter

    If your not going to bid on the car. Why pick at something you don’t own. If you get it worth the money. Then make it your own how you would like it to be. No body’s taste is the same. Unless you believe yours is the best. It’s great that we are all different. Makes the world less boring.

    Like 1
  21. Bryan D McDonald

    Only two yellows available for ’57 Chevys, Coronado Yellow and Colonial Cream. Hard to tell from the pic’s but it looks more like Colonial Cream. I agree with the previse commits that this is just a ho-hum restoration, really, I’d say an unfinished restoration. Still worth the bid as it stands now at $22K.

    Like 1
  22. Yblocker

    It might be a gem, but it ain’t no $50,000 gem, the Cragars are the best part of the car

    Like 0
  23. Mark K

    This reeks of an amateur effort. Why have Fuel Injection emblems on a carburetor car? And the interior… Those door cards don’t look right for a yellow car. The seats look all wrong and/or cobbled together, and the upholstery doesn’t look like it belongs in a ’57 Chevy. And what did that console/armrest come out of? I like the 4 speed, but it would he nice to know what flavor of 400 is in it. Some pictures of the underside would be helpful, including some taken during the restoration. Receipts for what work was done should be included as well.

    Like 3
  24. RJ

    Yellow on a ‘57 Chevy is not rare. NONE came Butternut Yellow. That’s a 1960s color. Colonial Cream which looks yellow, came on ‘57s.
    $50,000 spent but couldn’t afford the interior done? I find this sad.
    As many have stated where’s the frame off restoration?
    Maybe the reason bidding on the car is slow is because it lacks the evidence of $50,000 being spent on it’s revival. I am in no way pricing the car. I don’t own it.
    And at this time there’s a lot of cars/trucks for sale due the economy we currently have.

    Like 0

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