This 1957 Chevrolet has gotten a few mods over the years, but from the looks of things, it’s probably been quite some time since this one’s seen much activity on the pavement. However, there are several positives here, such as this car being a top-of-the-line Bel Air model. This one also seems like decent project material if you’re in the market for a tri-five to restore, and it comes with quite a few additional parts, to help get the future owner off to a good start. This ‘57 Chevy Bel Air hardtop is in Orange, Virginia, and can be viewed here on Craigslist. The seller is looking to sell this one for $22,500, and we’d like to thank reader Mitchell G. for providing his excellent tip here!
The seller mentions that this ‘57 has been off the road for a few years, and he seems straightforward in making potential buyers aware that work will be required before it’s ready to return to active duty. One swap made in the past is from under the hood, as the original powerplant was removed in favor of what the seller was told is a mid-sixties Corvette engine. No attempts have been made to get the motor started, but it is said to turn freely, so one option for the future owner will be to give this V8 the attention it needs. An alternative is to choose something completely different to fill the bay. The transmission is presently a 4-speed manual, but no word on its origin.
Outside, the body is described as being in good overall condition, with the front fenders listed as exceptions. However, a set of new components will come with the sale, and hopefully, the rest of the panels will be usable. The seller also mentions that a previous owner smoothed out the hood, but two chrome bullets are included, in case the next caretaker wants to revert this. Since some of the glass has seen better days, replacement pieces are provided, including the windshield, rear window, and all of the flat glass.
Inside, the factory bench seat was swapped for buckets and a console, plus the original steering wheel was replaced with an aftermarket unit. Most of the interior would benefit from a good refreshing, and unfortunately, the floors need some attention as well. The seller thinks a few patches here and there will be adequate to repair the floor rust, but he believes most of the metal down here will be salvageable. What are your thoughts on this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, and its asking price of $22,500?
The body appears solid. Most of the modifications appear to be late 60’s or early 70’s. This would have been a sharp car then and looks like it could be again with a little sweat equity. Nice find indeed.
I’m a big Pawn Stars fan, even though the show is clearly scripted. Rick, the son, bought and had restored a ’57 2 door like this for his dad for his 70th birthday. He died in 2018, but not before getting his dream car( snif) Anyway, I suppose I can forget about MY kids giving me something like that for MY 70th birthday. What?
That 57 was the Black Widow version. The ultra low end 150 with no added wait and the top engine. This is high end bel air but that was a great episode.
If my memory is right I think the one that was done for pappy on Pawn Stars was a 210 2 door sedan and was two tone black & white. Either way I wish I had a son that could do that.
Definitely a period piece. The rusty rallys haven’t given up their center caps to serve as some gearhead’s/pothead’s ashtray.
Should see pics of underneath rusted floors, frame and everything else could make this a very expensive parts car. under hood pics show very bad cob-job work done, fender well spark plug wires, coil and resister mounting, brake lines.
of course all replacement V8’s were out of Corvettes????
Actually, the motor looks about right for a mid-sixty’s Corvette. Aluminum high rise and air cleaner look right and you have to remember that the era this car is from Vette motors were a “dime a dozen”. I had a 327/365 that I personally pulled out the wrecked ’64 Vette myself and I paid $500 for in ’68. This car brings back so many memories of day’s gone by.
Those seats are 64-66 Thunderbird/65-67 Galaxie XL buckets.
Seems to be a nice start on a project and the price is not excessive IMHO.
So what’s going on with these 57 Chevy’? There’s 3 currently listed on Houston Marketplace. One is $59 grand but the other 2 in the low $20 grand. Are these prices indicative of value losses for these cars? I owned one in my youth, it was just a get around in car at the time. Whatever the situation I hope they all find great new homes.
God Bless America
Ooh! It’s got those rubber “Dagmars”, on the front bumper!
I think it would be a fun project definitely have to fix the hood
From experience at 20k you are about half way to a driver but long ways from restored even if you do your own work and if the bottom is usable
Man, does this thing ever bring back memories of the mid to late sixties. I lived in a town of about 60,000 people and I’ll bet there were 10 or 12 ’57s just about like this. Small block, 4 speed, bucket seats, etc. I myself had a ’57 sedan delivery with a 327 4 speed. Those were the days my friend.
Forgot to mention the Sun Super tach strapped to the steering column. Wouldn’t be mid sixties without one.
I like the bulletless hood. A lot.
Clean it up and run it just as it is. As old rodder said straight out of the 60’s-70’s. I remember them as well though I was just a 10 year old in ‘69.
Why would you remove the gunsights? They are one of the best features of the driving experience.
It probably won’t find a buyer at the $22.5K price these days as the market for fixers has softened alot. That amount will get you a pretty nice 57.
Every other 57 out there has the bullets. Cleaner & rare to see them gone. Works for me.
I’d also get rid of the ‘v’ side trim on the rear fenders, cleaner without.
Its going to get expensive when you have to buy the side chrome as someone drilled holes and put screws in it. Some lazy a$$.