Nearly 70 years after its debut, the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is still a desirable automobile. It sprouted tailfins after a successful 1955-56 run of the “Tri-Five” Chevies, and the Bel Air Sport Coupe was one of the line’s biggest sellers. Located in a storage shed in Katy, Texas, this long-forgotten Bow-Tie is available for revival here on eBay. The current bid is $2,650, the reserve is unmet, and the Buy It Now ante is $20,000.
The “V” in the VIN identifies this car as being a Bel Air equipped when new with a V8 engine. That could have displacements of either 265 or 283 cubic inches, with the latter being new in ’57. We don’t know if this car is numbers-matching or if the V8 could be one of several small-blocks Chevy peddled for years to come. The listing adds that a manual transmission is present, so would that be a “3-on-the-tree”?
This car likely left the factory with two-tone India Ivory over Matador Red paint. Could it be original? Who knows, but it’s faded and wears layers upon layers of dust from residing in this somewhat spacious storage unit. Most of the chrome bits seem to be there (except the Chevrolet “V” on the hood lip), and what’s there is pitted with age. The front bumpers “Dagmars” are present with the rubber tips.
Much of the seller’s language sounds like marketing-speak, so the photos are helpful. For example, the front bench seat is not original and has headrests. My guess is they gutted the original bench for one out of a second-generation Chevelle, which had similar size proportions as the ’57 Chevies. The Bel Air Sport Coupe was produced in ample supply (168,000 copies), so they’re not so rare today. But this looks like a nicer foundation to begin a restoration upon.
What a great surprise if this was an unexpected one. Looks really intact for the most part judging by what photos are shown and the manual on the floor shows a gear pattern though it’s hard to make out. The front seats are probably not original (headrests?) but all in all it appears the new owner could be on a good roll with this one. Some may want to change out the mags but more than a few of us remember these with Cragars or American Mags-occasionally with the back end so high you’d see passing airliners.
Regardless.
Finish it, clean it and drive it!
I had to chuckle at your comment about the passing airliners. Seems for teenagers the first and most popular accessory in those days was the long spring shackles. Ask me how I know.
Looks like a 10 or 12k car. But I’m sure some dupa boy will pay more.
Dupa slana motiica
Is nobody facing up to the “hassle factor” of old cars in the modern market?
Guys over 50 no longer need another project car. They have two out back.
That leaves the under 50 crowd, who now live in subdivisions with garages full of sports gear and the wife’s furniture refinishing project.
They have no motivation to deal with the multiple and endless hassles of owning these vehicles. storage, insurance, parts, mechanics, cleaning and polishing for show, etc.
There are no buyers left for projects prior to 1964 and even muscle interest is starting to vanish.
if ya can’t just buy it and drive it, for cheap, it’s going nowhere.
Up to $7600 with 4 days to go. You’re wrong
Oh so true,driving around subdivisions in the Phoenix metro area i see it all the time,garage doors open and the garage full, but not with a car,they are in the driveway or street.Of course it doesn’t help the houses are built on slabs,no basements.
In Western PA, the younger guys who have some property to use for vehicles fill it up with:
– 4 x 4 ATVs – they own several.
– A Harley or two in the garage.
– RVs for hunting or music festivals.
– old 4 x 4 vintage trucks with lift kits and big tires.
These guys don’t go to cars shows where they endlessly play Big Bopper and Lesly Gore tunes. They are found out in the woods, raising hell.
I agree, and the fact that old 50s rustbuckets that need a $50k restoration are priced at ridiculous asking prices keeps making me laugh. Who is going to do that anymore? I’m older and have two projects, so, no…do not need another like this one. Besides, how many 40-somethings could restore this by themselves to save a buck? Not many I am guessing.
JWK – that’s exactly what I have been saying.
There are a whole bunch of older guys with blinders on who think that youngers guys are motivated by the same impulses as they were, and that somehow there are going to be buyers for this stuff coming out of the woodwork.
40 somethings and younger have a different mindset and live in subdivisions, not on “do what you want” properties with separate garages and all of that.
If they do want something old, they will carefully buy a driver in very good condition for as little as possible, and play with that for a while.
v on hood says V8 no v just Chevy sign on trunk says 6 cly
Deck lid has 6 banger trim probably replacement years ago,it’s definitely a V8 Bel-Air car, also has Impala steering wheel..
I put one of those steering wheels on every 55 & 56 Chevs I had back in the day. They are nice looking steering wheels.
From ’59 or ’60 Chevy’s.
Not only does the early Impala steering wheel look cool. But it is better in an accident that spear head/point that is the center of a ’55/’56 steering wheel! $9700 and 3 days to go.
Later year intake manifold. (No breather/oil filler cap) This is a hot rod looking for a new home. Kind of cool, but I’m burned out on ’57 Chevys. It would be interesting to find all the changes and also to find out all the screw ups/ reasons it was parked to begin with.
You are correct, at shows I don’t see many young folks milling around 55-57 Chevies.
Rubber tips…is that a misprint?
I have an idea…Get a couple of buddies/kids together push it out wash it up inside and out including engine and bay and make it look like $20K worth then take new picks and repost.
Have you seen the YouTube detailer channel that does exactly this?
https://www.youtube.com/@WDDetailing
Awesome!
That would require effort. Not likely to happen woth someone who really doesn’t care if it sells or not.
i think the survivor statement should go out the window since there is a 71 Chevelle front seat and m/t valve covers and Crager’s. 20k IMO is too much but somebody may pay it. could be solid and looks a lot better than some of the 57 seen lately
Hairy survivor doesn’t necessarily mean original..
That’s what the word survivor represented in relation to automotive for a long time. Nowadays, it seems like it just means, the car still exists, it’s something sellers throw around in an effort to get potential buyers to pay more than they otherwise would. It should have more meaning than that.
Steve R
I think I this case “survivor ” means that the current or previous owner didn’t manage to “KILL” it! In other words it “CAN” live to see a other day. (After some serious cleaning and possible repairs. )
That would require effort. Not likely to happen with someone who really doesn’t care if it sells or not.
The new 70’s Chevelle bench seat is sitting on a replaced sheet metal patch. The rest of the floor sheet metal would probly be very thin or have rust holes in them , looking at how rusty the underside is.
Hey owner, for gosh sake, tell me about what you know about THIS car. I don’t need an AI-generated description of a 57 Chevy.
Is the dirt included in the sale?
I’m with Bluesman all the way. NOOO Waaayyy
Those rubber tips look bigger at that angle. Is no one seeing the rust and respray?
Someone is getting taken at $12,000.00, seller should be happy.