It wasn’t too long ago that a basket case like this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible would have been either sold for parts or scrapped. There is no title, no keys, and while there appears to be some usable trim, there isn’t much else that won’t need replacing or at least need major attention. It can be found here on eBay with a current bid over $11,000! That’s right, this car is well into five-figures and still has a bit of time before the auction ends. Currently located in Panama, shipping will be an additional cost to factor in for most buyers. Let’s take a closer look at this one and you can decide for yourself if it’s worth restoring. Thanks to Russ D. for the tip on this classic convertible.
As you can see, the interior is very rough. The front seat is mostly springs and the whole thing will need to be gone through. The aftermarket steering wheel indicates the car may have been driven in the 1970s or 80s. The only information in the ad regarding the history states: “Family member had it stored in his barn for decades.”
The ad also says the engine and transmission appear to not be original to the car. This would make sense based on the black fenders and hood. I’m guessing the car took a front impact at some point and the sheet metal was replaced along with the engine. While it is a Chevrolet V8, it’s hard to tell exactly what power plant is currently installed. If you think you know, leave a comment. The “newer” battery is interesting. I would bet someone tried to get it running but was probably unsuccessful since there is no mention of it in the ad.
The bottom of the driver’s door is pretty much gone. It’s a little hard to tell, but the rocker might be okay. Based on the other photos in the ad, it appears the hood may be solid. Since the car is located in Panama, an in-person inspection will be challenging for most people. I’m not sure where this car will end up, but you can bet based on the bidding, the seller will be the winner. What do you think this car will sell for?
This is when I wish cars could talk. I could be wrong but that looks like a 283 in it.
It is a builder and someone will. Looks like a later v-8, guessing a 350, based on valve covers and air cleaner. I don’t know why the author would suggest that the forces of nature that caused the skin to rust OFF the inner door would leave the rocker intact. . . . It needs everything, but is doable.
The author asks: What do you think it will sell for? Uhhh! Just a minute, I have to check on the going price for Recyclable Scrap Iron!!!!
The door skins of convertibles or any car with perished weatherstripping could easily rust out before the rockers if the car has sat forever. Eventually the water runs out the bottom of the door but not “into” the rocker panels. If this car was left on the ground, or driven for years in an area where salt is used for snow (Panama?) then the rockers would be gone.
Classic needs work for the right person
If it was in My yard, I would Pray that the Recycle Yard would take it for Free!!!
This is something my dad would refer to as “overpriced at free.” No title, need to replace everything that is missing, rusted or damaged. And that’s after shipping it here. Seems that you would be dollars ahead finding a better one or starting with one of the new body shells. Good luck to whoever buys it. It’s going to have to be a labor of love.
If you’re not mechanically inclined, you’ll
need some deep pockets to restore this car if you farm everything out. To me, the
seller is asking far too much for such a
deteriorated car. Whatever our seller is
smokin’, I want some! Or, he’s got his
Barrett-Jackson goggles on. If I had a choice of buying this car or a Cuban car,
I’d pick the Cuban car hands down. At
least they run and drive and it would be quite a coup to get one here to the states
where it would be the only one around.
Sorry folks, but I’ll pass.
It’s a no reserve auction Ken, so it’s the buyer that’s smoking something that makes him compelled to pay $11k for this egg shell of steel.
Yeah, the seller started the bidding at $1.00. The bidders drove the price to $11,000.
Haul this to the junkyard, take $50.00 and run! Outside of some parts off this rust bucket, it would take $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to restore! Whoever supposedly bid $11K for this rust dog, must have been smoking something or has more money than common sense!
$11,000 so far and shipping from Panama!! No thanks!!!
I think it may be Philadelphia. I could be wrong, but the area code is for Philly. It’d make it a lot easier on the pocket book if so!!
Total Insanity, almost as insane as that ’57 Nomad!
11 large is a lot for the VIN plate.
Not that it matters much on this carcass but it looks like the car was originally yellow painted over with red, and the front clip as also yellow painted black- who doesn’t like yellow ?
Wait! Let me get this straight. Apparently, dealer Mark has a lot in Philly and one in Panama. I’ve heard of dealers having cars on multiple lots, maybe even 50 or so miles apart but WTF. According to Wikipedia the distance between the two P cities is over 4500 miles. How does that even work? Is it possible to ship to anywhere in the US for any reasonable price? Anyway, I wouldn’t pay $10k plus for this POS if it was up the street and we could drag it home behind a truck.
the phrase “more money than brains” comes to mind instantly……
would love to hear what justification these 12 bidders can offer.
wonder how many are shills.
yea Chris sure does make you wonder about the shills. there’s so much fraud out there it makes you sick. Just because the eebay ad says 11k, doesnt mean its for real or the high bidder will step up. Still a great way to sell a car. I sold a ww2 vintage suburban months ago, and the sale went fine- straight up buyer that paypalled me the money right away- but wait- since it was around 10k, paypal put a freeze on my acccount- couldnt do anything- they said they wanted to make sure the deal was for real. So that put the pressure on me–I had to defend myself like I was a criminal. took 3 or 4 days to get my account unfrozen. Nobody said it would be easy! Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
I think that’s a good thing Gaspumpchas!!! Just imagine being on the other end!!! You’d be grateful!!!
I’ve had one experience, or should I say NIGHTMARE with paypal. Suffice it for me to say paypal sucks. I’d rather take my chances by mailing or receiving greenbacks thru the U.S. Mail . 11K so far for this rust infected specimen is criminal.
I’m still trying to work out a dispute between a PayPal bid and an MG I sold on eBay two years ago. It’s funny how you the seller becomes the defendant when there are so many deadbeat bidders and scam artists out there. And the fees PayPal and eBay started to charge to sell a car was enough for me to revert back to setting a car out in a parking lot with a for sale sign in it. Or Facebook Marketplace.
p t barnum said it all many moons ago! there is a sucker born every minute well 11 grand for this heap! when you dump another 70 grand into you will a car whoopee, spend half the money on booze and hookers and waste the rest!
Probably ALL of them Chris! Either that or they all live in Colorado, Washington State or Calif. where Good Smokes are readily available!!!!!
Don’t forget Oregon. We have great weed.
Whoops! sorry, did forget about Oregon!!! LOL!
I don’t think this is really in Panama. I’m wondering if when he typed in Pa. for Pennsylvania it “auto corrected” to Panama. I checked his other ads, some say Phil., Pa. and others say Phil., Panama? Before bidding I would get in touch with the seller.
To answer the authors question posed in the headline; Yes.
I get its a 57 Chevy, but cmon 11k for a rust bucket?
Ding….ding….ding…we have a winner. A certified pos in….wait for it……. ANOTHER country masquerading as a restoreable vehicle
I generally try to find something positive to say about some of the …….ummm…….classic cars BF comes upon……….but There is NO WAY that this makes any sense.
Amusing on numerous levels and given the current state of our country apropos of this absurd time. Like a parallel universe where up is down
And to most who have never had a convertible in the rust belt. (Or almost any convert. anywhere.) The trunk rust will be 10 times worse that what you can see from outside pictures. No matter how nice the car appears to be. Water will travel somewhere inside the car and pool. Having had a 1955 Chev convert. The water will pool in the upper shock mounts and the spare tire depression. The worst is the upper shock mounts because that is just sheet metal that the shocks are bolted to. Where the lower shock mount is the rear axle. A little bit of rust and the body now has 2 holes about the size of a shock absorber and a lot of rear suspension bounce. As much as I would like to relive my high school days. This is a no go for me. I don’t believe the 11K bid. The values on these have actually dropped over the last 5 years.
You can buy a new 57 convertible body for this kind of money. Are these bidders buying a cowl tag?
YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS ALL WRONG.
what is a vin and all the bits and pieces to do a “restoration” on a brand new shell.
BRAND NEW
Woody’s Hot Rodz Complete 1957 Chevy Convertible
Price: $21,999.00
This car will provide much of what is needed to complete a brand new body.
yea, maybe you have $70,000 in a brand new ’57 chevy convertible.
but it will be gorgeous. you just used a LOT of replacement parts to get there.
Check out “Real Deal Steel.com”. Brand new body with doors, deck lid, dash, for a little over 18 grand. Beats trying to restore a rust bucket. Build a beauty from a catalog.
Charging system should work great as it has generator and alternator on it. Looks to be 305 or 350 valve covers and sir cleaner.
This looks like a job for Danchuk!!!
THE WHOLE catalog!
And maybe $70k in LABOR!
It would cost more in gas hauling it to the land fill—- then what its worth. .
As rough as it appears at first glance, a thorough blasting would most likely reveal the REAL extent of the damage. If the bones are somehow still good, rebuilding this body would be a VERY painstaking process.
In which case, the Danchuk catalog would indeed come in handy, as Rick Rothermel pointed out. Custom fabricating would also come in handy. After that’s done, it would make a good candidate for a restomod project as opposed to a standard restoration.
Maybe the price is in pesos. Not $$$$$.
Who in their right mind, would pay anything, for this POS??
It takes all kinds.
Yen would be more like it!
Maybe we can trade for it!!! I got to chickens and a goat!!!
Tim, You’re losing with that trade-off.
Did you mean TWO chickens?? LOL!!
Tim, be Mr. Nice Guy & throw in all the Excrement from the chickens And the Goat!