The custom car scene certainly allows people to build cars to their own individual tastes and desires. However, it’s always worth considering that what appeals to one person may not appeal to another. This 1957 Bel Air, located in Polk City, Florida, certainly falls into that category. Regardless of whether or not you like it, there’s no denying the fact that the custom work appears to have been completed to a very high standard. After sinking around $42,000 into the car, the owner has decided to place it up for sale with an asking price of $18,500. If this is a car that sparks your interest, you will find it listed for sale here on eBay.
If we look at the overall condition of this Bel Air, it looks to be really good. The owner provides some nice shots of the underside of the vehicle, and these seem to back his claim that the floors are solid and free of rust. The panels, paint and trim also look to be very good. I know that there will be more than a few people who will decry the fact that the car has been shortened to this extent, but as I said before, it all comes down to personal taste. While this probably isn’t my cup of tea, I have to give credit to any person who dares to be bold and different.
Under the hood, you get a 350ci V8 and an automatic transmission. Presentation of the engine bay is nice, without being over the top. The owner says that the engine starts and runs cleanly with no leaks and that the transmission shifts smoothly. The Bel Air has been fitted with headers and a Flowmaster exhaust and is said to have a nice rumble to it. The car is said to run and drive well, but it would be interesting to see how a car with this sort of power feels on the road with such a short wheelbase. I suspect that it could be quite entertaining.
The owner has done a nice job with the interior, which is quite hard to fault. It also carries the predominantly red paint theme from the outside quite well. The only things that I could potentially fault are the condition of the steering wheel, which is actually quite scratched, and the hole in the dash where the radio should be. The wheel should be able to be restored, or a replacement that matches the interior trim could also be sourced as an alternative. The car has had speakers mounted in the bulkhead behind the seats, so a modern Bluetooth radio with a period look may be the go there. It seems that there are plenty of options for these available on the market at present, and many of them are quality items.
This is one of those cars that is really hard to attach a value to, simply because it is so different. If this were a non-shortened ’57 in this state, and it was listed at the asking price, there would be a multitude of people clamoring to get their hands on it. Because of the cut and shut work that has been performed, it will appeal to a vastly different set of buyers. This is a car that may not be to my taste, but I believe that the owner probably won’t have a lot of trouble getting his price for it.
All that work…
…to cut up a car that a large number of enthusiasts would find appealing.
And make it into a car that a relatively very small number of people would have any real interest in.
If someone wanted to create a “shorty” they’d best think first about what they are doing to the desirability of the car, and maybe start with something already having a limited appeal factor. Then it’d be “campy”. This, well, it is wasteful.
My opinion, of course. Dissenting comments welcomed. Change my mind.
Shortening cars was a bit of a fad in the late-70’s and early-80’s. This was originally a 4 door, which was the poster child for no appeal. They were considered parts cars.
I wouldn’t own a 4 door, but see their purpose. The proportions are off, which makes the car look funny. The car still has the original master cylinder, which points to the probability of drum brakes. There is no mention of power steering and the transmission pan looks like it’s for a power glide. This is the third time this car has been listed on eBay, I’d be surprised if it sells this time.
Steve R
I can appreciate the quality of work, it’s not a bad idea but I feel that it would do the proportions well to also remove about 18 inches from the back to give it that long hood short deck pony car look. the width is ok after all it works with the Mopar E bodies.
Beautiful work! Bold concept! But I found that I didn’t want to look at the pictures. Sad…
I curse these every time they show up. Unsafe at almost any speed.
With just a few more alien adjustments, the ad could be for a custom Corvair.
Wheel Stand City.
I found a couple of these in Bishop, Calif back in early 90’s while doing a Clarion Car Stereo commercial for MTV with my 1961 Dodge Phoenix convert.
One was like this 57, while sitting next to it, a 1960 Cadillac 2 door.
I had a little spare time while filming so I roamed the town and accidentally discovered them.
And yes, I took pictures.
Cameras live with me
A lot of work to devalue a car. Over the years they bring just a fraction of the price before they are cut up. Same goes for customizing a Corvettes. I
Reminds me of my ex. She was tail heavy too.
My ex was tail heavy too. I used to think of her having a hour glass figure.
Most of the sand was in the lower part.
Ruined
Bold and different are not necessarily a good thing.
Been looking for a 57. This is the first one I could actually afford. Hard to sell later but I am getting to the age where that will be someone elses’ problem….
Push the rear axle and rear quarters back to a wagon’s wheelbase, create a tub in the rear and you’ve got a ’57 El Camino with a great roofline.
This is not the first one of these custom shorty chevys ive seen. I go to Reno NV for hot August nights every year. There are 3 of these that show up every year. Must be easy and cheap to do.
I was at Hot August Nights and there was a dusky rose one that was amazing. They are much better in person than in photos. I found them to be really appealing. Don’t know why except to say that I probably saw 100 tri-fives there and this is the only one I remember clearly. Four door beater cars were less than $1000.00 for as long as I can remember and you could get that much in scrap so having one saved to this level is quite a commitment by someone.
Why?????????????????????????????????
Because it was a 4 door???
It is worth the price just for the parts. A low cost fixer would absorb everything from this one and you would be way ahead. It is almost tempting… Price is now BIN at $16,500.00 and if it were on the West Coast I would be hitting the button. I might just anyways.
Invested $42,000 and is asking $18,500.
Looks like his investment is coming up…short
A guy in my hometown had a 56 Chevy 4 door cut down to a 2 door. He had installed a 396 with 2×4 bbls, a Muncie 4-speed, and a 12 bolt with 4.56 gears.
He could pull the front wheels with ease – not a few inches off the ground, you were looking at clouds – and it didn’t have any wheelie bars or a cage! Scary and fun ride, but like this one, the proportions were so wrong as to make the car unattractive.
Treasonous. Hang the man from the yardarms!
There are a lot of people that don’t like this, but if I had the cash today, I would bring this home. I love this car. I am usually a purist, so it is weird that I love a modified car.
Somebody shared your feelings Bob as this was just sold at $16,500. Maybe you !!! lol I Can’t image the amount of work that was needed to do what had been done…like it or not, your have to respect what appears a fairly high level of workmanship (workpersonship?) that went into the car. Best of luck to the new owner.
Could have saved the 40gs, and sell the 4 door. Thec4 doors are starting to command 18000- 30000.
Back in the day, a 4 door sedan was only good for the drive train and the front clip to be reused. The rest of it either languished behind the barn or was sold to the scrap dealer for any $$ you could get for it assuming it was wrecked. I’ve seen a couple of Tri-5s that were shortened like this apparently done because they could and had something no one else wanted.
May have cost $1,000. at time of mods.
Car bought for maybe, $50.
Back when I bought 69 Charger RT’s for $200. and under. 4-speeds, 440.
Drove rust free home and parted out to keep running, a Daytona and 3 69 Charger 500’s.
S happens.
Sometimes parting out made more than selling as a whole.
Back on Ebay for the third time. Beware of this one… Just saying.
You have go to be kidding me!! There are so many cars out there that you just do not mess with those lines. This is one of them, 2, 4, 6 or 8 doors. I don’t care. I really do not like when this happens. Listing ended. sold for $16,000.00+. For a complete ’57, Yes, I would spend that kind of money, just not this.