Of the “Tri-Five” Chevies from 1955 to 1957, few were perhaps more popular than the Bel Air Sport Coupe. In 1957, the year the tailfins sprouted, Chevrolet built more than 168,000 copies of the Sport Coupe wearing Bel Air trim (another 23,000 were produced as 210s). The seller’s car has been in the same family since 1984 and was driven for 12 years and then parked. It hasn’t moved since then in Granite Bay, California, and is available here on craigslist for $30,000.
All 1957 Chevrolets (except for the Nomad) came with a 235 cubic-inch inline-6 as standard. A 265 V8 was available for the first time in 1955 and 1956, and a 283 joined it in 1957. Either of these motors could be in the seller’s Bel Air, and it has an automatic transmission (2-speed Powerglide, we assume). This one was ordered with white and over-blue paint, and the body looks good after all these years. A bath and some wax might coax it back to at least presentable.
The ownership of the car before the seller’s family isn’t a certainty. This clan may not be more than the third set of proprietors. They drove it from 1984 to 1996 and parked it for reasons unknown. So, it’s gone three decades without being started, meaning all the fluids need to be drained and the gas tank flushed out before attempting to revive the machine mechanically.
Everything about the Chevy is said to be original, and it may only have 43,000 miles (or 143,000). The interior seems to be in very good condition, so perhaps this can be a driver-quality automobile in a few weekends. But you’ll have $30k invested before you do anything more than haul it away. Thanks for the tip, Tony Primo.
I spot a late 60’s double white wall on the right front. Missing the Red/White emblem on hood, as well as the ‘V’…
Oops! I mean the ‘Chevrolet’ script…I was thinking of a ’55 or ’56…
At first glance I’d be more interested in this 1957 than the one featured on this site yesterday. Less hype by the seller, though I’m not fond of the price.
Steve R
They want $30,000 now, but it sat in a barn for 30 years, rotting away. 😐
its not rotted..
this site is Barn Finds
its a barn find !, like were supposed to see here.
until i saw Ts silly comment, i was about to comment :
right on ! finally, a real barn find, and a great find at that !
A retirement vacation money. 😆
Looking at the engine bay, if only 43K miles, then it’s surprising that the body is blue, when it started out surf green.
Timothy, you’re missing the point. Some think a ’57 Chev is like fine wine or cheese. The longer it ages, the more valueable it becomes, hence–for every year it “aged” it became more valueable, 30 years in the vault aging at $1,000/year = $30,000. Now does this explain the price, condition is secondary.
I just don’t understand why anyone would just let a car sit and decay. If the car had been cared for since 1957 and was in good shape, just maybe might it be worth $30,000. Oh, that’s a surviver.
I agree, just because it’s old or a car that was/is popular doesn’t make it valuable. Condition, originality, desireability are the real elements that constitutes an “old car’s” value.
I’m fan of the 55, love those cars
If it’s supposed to have only 43K miles, then why would the body be painted blue, when the firewall and steering column are surf green?!
I personally would guess a color change is what happened. Maybe they really liked the car but didn’t love the pale green so a paint job was probably cheaper than a different car. While it is possible it’s 143k miles it probably isn’t. Back then most people didn’t burn up the highways and freeways like now. Plus commutes to work weren’t usually insane like now. Engines back then didn’t have the same longevity then as they do in more recent history. Plus metallurgy wasn’t as refined then plus oil is much better in recent history than back then. Both my dad and step-dad told me many decades ago that 50k was half life at best. Even with maintenance. 75k was start looking for a different car if you could afford. 100k and the car was usually on it’s last leg and smoked a bunch. 143k miles now is nothing. 143k back then was pretty much unheard of unless you dropped a lot of money to rebuild or replace the engine and rebuild all or most of the steering components.
looks solid with a good interior. 30k is up there for what is presented.
What fool would pay $30,000 for this? I gots to know.
And the seat covers/ upholstery are reproduction. VDM. CARS INC – USA1 interiors 1982-1992
Great starting point, but definitely not a true survivor car, and 43K miles seems unlikely. As already noted it has been repainted with a color change, and the hood and decklid emblems shaved. And also the seat covers have been replaced, as the 57 Bel Air seat “buttons” and silver piping are missing.
Also, @Russ_Dixon, although extremely rare to see one, 57 Nomads did come standard with a 6-cylinder and the V8 was an optional upgrade, like all other 57 Chevies.
It’s a bit pricey, but it doesn’t look like it has been rotting away.
I got burned on buying a car that was stored for 30 years. Don’t want to do it again. Appears to be a relatively simple cosmetic restoration. However 30 K before you start. Not sure!
NOBODY knows the conditions of the owner in reguards to their health !!!!! They could have been an in and out or up and down with NO other family people wanting to do anything with the car. Owner DIES and family puts a car up for sale…..or owner gives the go ahead to sell their car – knowing thay are DIEING,
I think I recall that 265’s in 57’s were painted yellow. If all were that would make this a 283.
I’m70 years old and purchased cars from the 30 to the 50s as much as for free to a hundred dollars and they were cream puffs.
All original, I don’t think so. Its been repainted as the hood emblems are missing and there are no holes where they were mounted.
30K is a ridiculous price for this. It is not a survivor and is in neglected condition. It is going to need everything to make it a decent driver. I don’t know where the last two listings are getting their prices but they are seriously out of touch with the 57 market for fixer cars. $15k is absolutely tops for this car and I wouldnt offer that..
I find it hard to believe seats are that clean and not cracked when rest of car filthy. Barn find or not seats look new ???