Rust-Free Survivor: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

Some vehicles have been strong performers in the classic market for so many years that you must wonder if they will ever fall out of favor. Corvette fuelies and 1st generation Mustangs instantly spring to mind. So does the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. As far back as I care to remember (which is longer than I’m willing to admit), these have remained a desirable classic, with good examples commanding healthy prices in the market. This 1957 Bel Air Convertible might not be perfect, but it has a significant ace up its sleeve, as you will see. The owner has decided to part with the Convertible, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in La Habra, California, and the bidding has rocketed beyond the reserve to sit at $45,300.

Finished in Tropical Turquoise, this Bel Air is an attractive car. The paint shines impressively, and I can’t spot any defects that are worth mentioning. The panels are straight, with gaps that appear consistent. That brings us to the ace that this Bel Air holds. Its location should provide a clue because the owner claims it is a “110% rust-free car California car.” I’m not so sure about that figure, but if the Convertible is rust-free, it can’t be a bad thing. Somebody has installed a Continental Kit, and I can’t decide whether or not I like it. It adds a distinctive aspect to the car’s appearance, but it could be removed if it isn’t to the buyer’s taste. We don’t receive any information on the state of the soft-top, but the trim and glass look pretty impressive.

The Bel Air’s interior is a mixed bag, and while it has no glaring faults, a few detail changes by the buyer would lift it to the next level. Chief among these would be to spend $180 on a new carpet set. The current carpet looks tired and discolored, and it detracts from an otherwise quite nice interior. The original wheel has a few chips and marks, but a fastidious buyer could address these in a home workshop. The factory radio has made way for an aftermarket stereo, while modern but subtle air conditioning should be a welcome inclusion. Otherwise, the upholstered surfaces appear to be in excellent order, the dash seems spotless, and all of the plated components and brightwork sparkle nicely.

There’s no doubt that a lack of originality can harm potential values with classic cars, but the ’57 Bel Air seems less prone to this than other classics. This one features a 283ci V8 under the hood, but it isn’t clear what version it is or whether it is numbers-matching. Bolted to the 283 is a 2-speed Powerglide transmission, while the car also features power brakes. It seems that the V8 has received a few upgrades because the Edelbrock carburetor is obvious, as is the alternator. How much deeper these changes run isn’t clear, but if the entry-level 283 pumped out 185hp, it would be safe to assume that this one can improve on that figure. For potential buyers, it seems that this car is roadworthy and ready to go. The owner doesn’t use it as a daily driver, but it appears that he hits the occasional car show and takes it out for a spot of weekend cruising.

When I commented earlier about the ongoing popularity of the 1957 Bel Air, I made it with some justification. If you wander out into the market today with $40,000 burning a hole in your pocket, you might come home with a relatively tidy ’57 Bel Air Convertible in need of some TLC. Add a further $10,000 to that figure, and things take a decided turn for the better because it should be a clean car with a V8 under the hood. From there, the sky is the limit, with the right vehicle capable of nudging into six-digit territory. A witness for the prosecution is the bidding history on our feature car. The owner listed the Convertible with an opening bid of $1,000, and it has taken less than three days to reach its current figure. That is off the back of an incredible eighty-nine bids. Are you tempted to jump into the mix, or is it all too frantic for you?