This 1957 Chevy Bel Air has been up on jackstands in the seller’s garage for 57 years. That’s since 1969, according to my math. With an empty gas tank and an oil-soaked engine, this car apparently hasn’t moved since Richard Nixon was in the White House. Though the odometer reads 89,000 miles, everything about the car looks practically new. Isolated in a garage in Omaha, Nebraska, this time capsule piece is available here on craigslist for $68,500. Thanks for the cool tip, Tom L.
Chevrolet built more than 168,000 Bel Air Sport Coupes in 1957, much like this one. It features what we assume is its original India Ivory over Matador Red paint with a black and red interior, still covered in see-through plastic. It has a 283 cubic inch V8, which was new to buyers in ’57. It has the “Power Pack” setup, which included a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust. We assume the 4-speed manual transmission is not a transplant like the Mickey Thomson mag wheels.
As the story goes, the seller parked this Chevy 57 years ago due to some hard times, and he could never bring himself to sell it. At least until now. No doubt, advanced age is the reason why it’s time for this Bel Air to move on to new headquarters. We don’t know when the seller acquired the car, but we’re told he never drove it during the Winter months. It’s a numbers-matching auto that had a wall built around it to protect it during its extended hibernation.
The seller found the car in Washington State after his tour with the Navy was through. Since 1969, it has sat by itself with a cover over it. But the passage of time doesn’t seem to have caused it any harm. The seller is asking a hefty price for a car that does not currently run. And there’s no indication as to what it will take to change that. Heck, the rubber in tires is now past being ancient. Check out the surviving photo from when the car was last on the road.
No floor mounted stick shifts in 1957 passenger cars, just the Three in the tree.
Agreed, Tom. Sounds like a sweet story. But I digress. Hasn’t moved in 57 years, but has a fairly new looking Ever Start battery and Nebraska Historical plates that look pretty current. Not necessarily questioning the truth to the seller’s story but I can’t help but say “hmmm.”
Extraordinary! These jewels that have been hibernating are surfacing to be enjoyed again. It it refreshing that it doesn’t have a low mileage claim and doesn’t look like it has 89K miles anyways.
This is the ultimate ’57 and may bring the ask but taking it off the stands, cleaning it up and properly photographing it would help a lot. Having it running and driving would be even better.
I wasn’t aware that there was a 4 speed offered in 1957 as an OEM option, but it would sure make this car fun to drive! Under the hood the engine looks painted or rebuilt and the black under the hood is odd.
A purchase like this would certainly require an in person inspection.