Chevrolet built more than 4.5 million cars during the 1955-57 period, referred to later as the “Tri-Fives.” The ‘57s would wear some styling changes such as tailfins that have proved to be popular with collectors for the past six decades. This Bel Air Sport Coupe is a running project that will need considerable work in the appearance department. It has resided in Fort Worth, Texas for at least the past three years and is available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $3,551. That’s not enough to have triggered the reserve which may be closer to the $17,300 Buy It Now price.
More than 168,000 Bel Air Sport Coupes rolled off Chevy assembly lines in 1957, making for a plentiful supply for years to come. We don’t know the history of this car, but it’s looking kind of rough. The seller says the paint is grey, but the inside of the trunk and engine compartment reflects red, so which is the original color of the car? There is plenty of surface rust on the sheet metal and bumpers, but it doesn’t look like anything that will require ordering a bunch of replacement sheet metal.
The interior is a work-in-progress, and the rear seat is missing. The shifter linkage in the floorboard is not stock and we assume a 4-speed manual is there now. We’re told the car runs well and stops, so It’s at least good enough for a short hop to the do-it-yourself car wash as the seller did. 1957 was the first year of the 283 cubic inch V8 and there’s one under the hood here, although we don’t know if it’s original or has been worked on given that the odometer has likely turned over (showing <15,000 miles).
Clearly, a lot more work is in the future of this Chevrolet, but not with how the car rolls. The aftermarket wheels look brand new and would look great if the buyer decides to make a restomod out of this old Bel Air. Would you stick with the 283 or go for more displacement and horsepower?
By a few obvious clues, I’m betting that is not the original mill.
I would say you are correct! VIN indicates it left the line with an inline 6.
That’s an automatic shifter. By the way, as popular as the ’57 Chevy was, the ’57 Ford beat it in sales.
The shifter is a Mr Gasket Vertical Gate 4 speed, pretty hard to find these days.
Looks like a 4 speed manual with a Mr Gasket inline shifter.
Funny there are probably more 57 Chevys then 57 Fords remaining today that were saved from the scrape pile. I used to look for 57-59 Fords in the wrecking yard to pull the 9″ rear so it’s a good thing they built a lot of them, lol.
Interesting article:
https://www.chathamthisweek.com/2014/02/25/57-chevys-iconic-popularity-has-endured
Those ’57 Fords were born to rot which is why I expect there are so many more ’57 Chevys today. I had one myself so I speak from experience.
Ford may beat Chevy in 1957 in sales but where are all the Fords now?? Rusting relics of transportation past! Only the strong survive!!
Running? I think I will run away.
RealDealSteel has brand new bodies with doors rear quarters and decklid for $22,000. No nose bumpers glass engine trans differential or any interior at all. If you want one of these it’ll cost you one way or another even if you do all the work yourself. Seems like the word “ work” is a four letter word to some on here
So, what does a new chassis cost to put the new RDSteel body on at the start? Hunt up the rest at your leisure. Thanks!
Would like to see the underbelly; from here looks pretty solid especially in the trunk. Looker over good and see if you want to tackle it. Plenty of aftermarket goodies available.
Good luck and happy motoring
Cheers
GPC
Do believe we’ve seen this interior before as I remember making a comment about the aluminum panel floors molded with some kind of big hammer. Lot of nothing going on with this one. Just checked ebay. Was right. this is the same junk on a couple months ago. Still junk.
got to love the listing that say very little about the car and then wanting 17k for it to boot LMAO
Definitely a project, it’s going to take someone with deep pockets to handle this one, but I’m sure someone is going too
Looks like it may have left the factory as a 6 cylinder. If the engine is really a 283 it is not from a 57.
Is that red object seen through the front grille a red plastic gas can? Possibly used to feed fuel to the carb and thus the claim of “running”? I will agree with many of previous comments about this project and at this price should make nearly all sensible buyers run away.
I despise “universal” radiator hoses on any engine…
Too many ‘57 Chevys around anyway, put it out of its misery Dreamer…
Oh,
And yellow spark plug wires
How did those cow turds get on the trans hump?
Southern heater, may have been a Texas resident it’s whole life
1957 283 did not have a pvc valve in the valve cover so this looks to be something other than a 57 motor.
Was a 6 with 3 on the tree. ( no V on hood or trunk. ) lose the automatic if the rust isn’t too bad like behind the rear bumper. Will suck up $20k plus
It already lost the automatic… it is a 4 speed.
I can’t resist. I don’t usually get on BF these days as I have other more important things to do. However, this car’s owner/seller needs to understand how to take pictures. Okay, he washed it first. But, after that, take it out of the wash bay, get it into the sunlight, use a good camera and have a field day with the snap shots. The old saying, “If ya wanna sell it, ya gotta show it.” applies.
Engine is 69-72. 69 the first year for the oil fill and PCV to move to valve cover. Also 1st year for head ends to be drilled/tapped for accessory mounting. 73 1st year for EGR.
307, 327, 350, 400.