Chevrolet redesigned its cars for 1955 and would have a winner on their hands. In fact, over the next three years, the GM division would sell five million copies. The upscale Bel Air would be the most popular series, selling some 675,000 units in 1957 alone. This Tri-Five Bel Air Sport Coupe is not stock and needs both mechanical and cosmetic attention. From Madera, California, this ’57 Chevy is available here on craigslist for $16,000 OBO. Kudos to rex m for another Bowtie find!
Nearly 65 years later, the 1957 Chevrolets are still one of the most popular and admired American automobiles. Part of those kudos came from styling, as the ‘57s differed from the ’55-56 models due to the addition of tastefully executed tailfins at the rear. While Ford would outsell Chevrolet that year (which didn’t happen often), the ’57 Chevies still top the lists of desirable cars with collectors today and have become a pop culture icon.
Out of 1.56 million Chevrolets built in ’57, more than 168,000 were the Bel Air Hardtop Sport Coupe like the seller’s car. It would be the second-best-selling Bel Air that year, only beat out by the more pedestrian 4-door sedan. The seller’s auto is a project car, but the question becomes how deep does the project part of this car go? The black over yellow paint is not original as you see nothing but red when you open the trunk. We’re told there is minimal rust on the passenger side fender, but the rocket panel on the same side may need some help.
This car has been dormant for some time given how dirty and dusty the interior is. The seats and steering wheel have been replaced by stuff from another era and I’d be inclined to ditch those and go back to NOS. Whatever transmission the car was built is gone, with a TH-350 now doing the duties of the latter, and we don’t know what displacement the motor is. The radiator is MIA so it’s unlikely this car will run without some work.
We’re not told if the obvious missing parts on the car are still around, like the taillights and headlights. But to help the cause, the seller is throwing in a replacement fender and back bumper. Would you try to go back to stock on this car or continue down the path of turning it into a restomod, which seems to have been the goal at some point. The drivetrain and wheels alone are a step in that direction.
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