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 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.
I heard about that someplace else. I sure wouldn’t know because I was only 4 years old when these made their debut…
Thanks Tom I have my father’s 1960 Chevy Impala with the original 283 motor and it is a three on tree I’m only 61 and didn’t know that in 1957 there was no floor shifter original install back in 1957.
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.
Minimal pictures and not enought details to ask this price for repainted non proven stored car.
The tri fives are cool but loosing some traction as its buyers market is slowly diminishing with owners age.
I’ll be in Omaha this week. I may go over there just out of curiosity to look at it. Definitely out of my interest range pricewise. If it was a current resto mod that price wouldn’t bother me.
Maybe it’s a optical illusion but it appears there is no carpet on the floor. All I see is rubber floor mats. Just in front of the seat it looks like rust on bare metal. Did he take out the carpet when it was put tp sleep ?
The rust spot you see by the seat, looks to me like a worn spot through the mat or carpet, and the red body color is showing. But who knows, hard to tell by an old photo.
Nice car for sure! I wouldn’t kick it off my driveway but I have to say that in a couple of weeks, the local show-n-shine will be in the region, and there will be a couple of these on display without a doubt. Tri-5 Chevies are very popular and thus no shortage of parts are available.
I find it interesting as back in the day, a ’57 Chevy was your average family car. Usually a six/3-speed manual, or a Powerglide.
You know what I’m finding these days, is a swing back to the basic family car. Powered by a 235 six with somewhat anemic performance specs; people seem to look more at them than the powerhouses. I occasionally take the old ’49 Styleline 4-door to the show-n-shine. Sometimes it gets ignored but more often than not, I’ve got people hanging around, asking questions…
It’s just doesn’t seem right.
All the photos are suspect.
Something is fishy about this body by Fisher.
I sent this Craigslist ad in to Barn Finds many months ago, and it was featured here as a result back then! The seller just keeps relisting it at the same price. Same ad, same photos, same old BS. I live in Omaha, so I see this ad all the time here. Old news…sorry!
Not enough pictures and looks like a overpriced vehicle selling a story.
This may of been a car bought from an elderly and stored by not the timely amount listed.
The issue with these beautiful tri-fives is the buyers market decreases as the population passes away.
I had a 55 hardtop decades back but moved on to 1960s to 1970s muscle cars (Vettes and Mustangs). The power and smoother rides make a difference. The resale also helps as the desirability.
I hope a local buyer can view the car to purchase and see the real story verified.
Russ, Dude! Your assumption about the 4 speed is obviously incorrect. Reportedly, a few 4 speeds were dealer-installed in ‘58 full size Chevies, but not a factory option until ‘59. Definitely not available in ‘57. I know that- and I’m a Ford Guy! (There is no known cure).
Why would you put historical plates on a car that been slumbering since ’69, and hasn’t run since?
the car would not have been old enough in 69 for those plates. great sob story poor pics and not enough of them either. why not pull it out and get some good pics if you really want to sell it. sounds like a fishing expedition to me.
If I had the money, those awful wheels and the centre stick shift would kill this one for me! The only way to have a car such as this is, ALL ORIGINAL, wheels and all, no custom modifications, no added gauges, original A.M. radio — as though it were 1957. I have fancied having one of these, in just this colour combination, because I was with my uncle when he bought his, new, in 1957, when my mother bought her Matador Red/White Two-Ten station wagon. But, finding an unmolested one like this, also never smoked-in, is close to impossible now. And I NEVER trust a car with either fuzzy dice or mag. wheels, and most especially never if converted to a centre-column manual shift! This car probably began life with a Powerglide, which is what it should have now. NOT an all-original survivor, unfortunately.
Car guys did this to their cars in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, etc. Better performing and better handling cars was what hot rodding was all about. If you look at the old picture? This car was a hot rod, way back when.
Everyone wants to believe a story like this on. Maybe it had a 3 on the tree 3 speed and was converted back in the 1960’s, no carpet, ,and historic lic plate. Did not say he drained the coolant, and not enough pictures. I agree with most all comments here and Jeff H comments with 1960’s and 1970’s muscle cars.
Utterly NO USE for “hot rods” of ANY kind; sorry.