The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air has remained a firm favorite among classic car enthusiasts for decades. Built in an era when fins were part of a strong styling trend, the ’57 design managed to incorporate these without falling the victim of over the top styling, and the design still looks crisp some 61 years later. This ’57 Bel Air is listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Spring, Texas, it is being listed for sale with a clear title. The seller has set a BIN price of $4,000 for this classic, although the option is available to submit an offer.
The seller believes that this ’57 wears its original paint. The paint may be in a sad state now, but the original Adobe Beige and Sierra Gold must have looked stunning when the car was new. The body is straight and the majority of the exterior trim is present, although some has been removed from the car. It appears that some of the larger items such as the bumpers it will require restoration.
There is rust for the new owner to deal with. The seller removed the carpet and seats to assess the rust there and judging by the numerous photos provided in the ad, the floors will all need replacing. There is also rust in the rockers, the windshield posts, the filler panel between the rear window and deck lid, the bottoms of both front fenders, and the passenger side rear door close. There are no indications of the condition of the frame.
As previously stated, the owner has removed the carpet and has also removed the headliner as it was badly torn and hanging down. The radio is missing from the dash, but otherwise, that looks to be complete and a good restoration prospect. The seller also believes that the seats and door trims have been re-upholstered, but this process looks like it will need to be repeated.
Under the hood is a 283ci V8 which is backed by a Powerglide automatic transmission. The seller states that the engine is date stamped for 1957, but he is unsure about the transmission. The engine hasn’t run for at least 10 years, but it does turn freely. The seller tried to fire it up with some starting fluid but was unsuccessful. He believes that the points may be the problem there.
Whenever we see a ’57 Bel Air project in this sort of state featured here at Barn Finds, it seems to ignite quite spirited debate about the merits of taking on such a project, and I expect that this one will probably be the same. To my way of thinking that’s a good thing. It allows people to express their views and to maybe point out either a positive or negative aspect of the project to assist anyone who may be considering taking on a car like this. Okay, over to you Barn Finders.
Well, it’s a four door and its rusted out just about everywhere. So unless your just dieing to own and restore this car it’s really not worth it, it does however have quite a few useable parts including the engine and transmission. I’d say that it’s not worth anymore then $1k and that’s about it.
Exactly, just because it exists doesn’t mean it’s viable as a restoration project.
Steve R
I have seen one of these in this color combo and it is indeed a stunning visual. Four doors or not, if you had this restored, this is the car people would want pictures of at a cruise in. With the 283 and auto, I would daily-drive it.
Two door, four door, whatever. It’s a 57 Chevy, man!
If we’re all willing; it can be made into a tudor. Tex Smith’s magazine had an expose` on making a ’50 Merc four door into a two door. It turned out quite well. But then, the data plate won’t match. Jes’ hang a two door assembly and move the B-pillar back. What could be more simple? Well, not quite…
Talk about being upside down and inside out on a project. But it has been done.
I would buy this car and immediately crush it. It’s a 4 door so every part of it is tainted
That right there is your open-minded car guy, ladies and gentlemen.
TreeSurgeon you would have a heck of a time in Australia wouldn’t you? Lol! I admit that there are certain cars that just would not look right at all as a 4 door but many look perfectly fine that way too. To each their own. If you’re a 2 door only guy, more power to you. I myself like the fact that I’m open minded about the number of doors and open to various brands as well. We all have our different opinions so I’ll respect yours even though it differs from mine.
Lots of metal work on this one. Fortunately almost all of the metal bits are available. The “A” pillars will be a problem as will the edge at that rear door. But the edge part from the hardtop will fit with some adjusting. When last I searched the “A” pillars aren’t reproduced but a talented metal fabricator can make them if they do it in 2 or 3 pieces then weld them up.
Floors, trunk, rockers, fenders, wheel wells, etc. are all readily available thru Danchuk and Cars Inc..
A labour of love for sure. I agree with Bob C. It’s a 57 Chevy, man!!
Parts are available, but they cost a lot of money!
I found the parts for my ’56 restoration to be quite fairly priced for what you get. This is not an inexpensive hobby. We know that going in. You get what you pay for.
Aside from the areas around the door, how much body crosses over with a two door? I understand there are all kinds of repro body parts for a two door so I suppose if you could do the work yourself and a 4 door was okay, it might be worth an investment of time and money. TimS says the color combo is stunning and I bet it is.
Peruse the Danchuk website. Also Cars Inc. Ecklers also has lots of goodies. Most of what is needed is available and some of the other pieces can be modified to fit if you have some metal working skills. Or know a guy who does.
I am almost finished with a 4 door ’56 which needed everything this one does and maybe more. I had no real trouble finding the repro parts. And the few I couldn’t were easily modified from the 2 door car. I expect that the parts for the ’57 are even easier to find as I think the ’57 has been more popular longer than the ’56.
Plenty of better 4 door 57 Chevys out there if you wanted to restore one. This one is parts at best and probably not that many at that. But, who’s looking for a 4 door anyways…
Original paint–LMAO…….
It is, it’s just under all that “patina”. Lol.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I’d say 24 pictures is worth 2 words, “no thanks”.
Stalled?!
You mean forgotten about over a decade ago.
Or 2, look how deep it is.
Awesome looking car! Two doors are nice, hardtops are nice, and convertibles are awesome. But four doors (I think) would be even better, particularly if you have friends and/or family members you’d like to enjoy with you. This would make an awesome restoration project, or possibly a restomod.
4 doors rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heck ya! Rock on!!!
Most 4 doors dont look right or are ugly, This isnt one of them,, Its a cool car and iconic style that always will be popular, $4k seems cheap but expensive at the same time, But I have seen worse rebuilt, This would be an expensive car if you had to pay someone to rebuild it for you (Checkbook car guys) But its a viable project with excellent parts availability.
The interesting part is RIDE in one of these with stock suspension and brakes,,, NOT so impressive, (They ride and drive like a 1950s school bus)
So given the condition, its a prime candidate for some upgrades and that stuff is readily availible and would make this one sweet ride.
4 doors AIN’T ugly…….”.What’s the matter witch you boy??????????????”