Some of the names of cars in the 1950s were quite interesting, while others could be rather bland. For example, the mid-level model of the 1957 Chevrolet was the 210, which was the production series number less one zero (2100). The same was true for the entry-level model, the 150 (short for 1500). This two-tone, four-door 210 sedan from 1957 has been sitting for a long time and needs care, plus it doesn’t run. Located in a dark garage in Heron Lake, Minnesota, this Tri-Five project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,500 OBO. As a footnote, it’s been on the market for more than three months.
Though the level of trim wasn’t as swanky as the Bel Air, Chevy sold more than 273,000 copies of the 1957 210 4-door sedan. This was a great family car that could be had with either an inline-6 or a V8 engine, which would be either 265 or 283 cubic inches, as in the seller’s vehicle. This people mover has an interesting two-tone paint combination (code 820), Colonial Cream over Laurel Green. Whether it’s the original finish is debatable since the chrome bits seem to be more weathered.
Whichever V8 is in play, it’s paired with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. Before the car was parked, it had accumulated 120,000 well-earned miles across just two owners. The seller believes the car is mostly intact, so turning it into a daily driver or initiating a restoration may not be so bad. There is some surface rust, but nothing in the way of “major rot.”
The interior will need some attention, and the colors could be upgraded to be more in line with the two-tone exterior hues. You could do a lot with this Chevy after you trailer it home, but it is still a 210 (not a Bel Air) and is a multi-door sedan rather than a Sport Coupe. Good news or not? Thanks for the tip, Zappenduster!
From the days when car designing was at its best.
A dried-out, crapped-out 4 door sedan that doesn’t run for $10,500 and has been on the market for more than three months.
Reminds me of the Rolling Stones tune, “As Time Goes By”
I think that price is about double what it should bring. This car could make a mechanically inclined tinkerer a great entry vehicle into the classic car hobby. A 4 door sedan will still be accepted at local events with no problems as well as being great to take the kids for ice cream on Sunday afternoon.
That is a hideous shade of green!
Colonial Cream over Laurel Green (paint code 820) was an authentic factory two-tone color option for the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.
Bad photos but at least it isn’t so dusty ya can’t tell what colors it is. For 10000 gotta do better. Glwts Peace!
I sold a pretty decent red and white one like this for $7000. a few years ago. It had a 327 4 barrel.
Had some time on my hands. It’s fun to decode them trim tags, too:
1) Style 57-1019:
57 Represents the model year 1957.
1019 Represents The Fisher Body style number designating a 4-door sedan configuration within the 210 (or related mid-tier) series.
2) Body #
Prefix Letter K: Designates the Kansas City, Missouri Fisher Body manufacturing plant
Serial Number 11893: Represents the sequential number assigned to the body shell
3) Trim Code 654 means a Charcoal cloth and Ivory vinyl interior
1A: Represents the build date (January, first week).
B: Represents a two-tone paint configuration code (designating how the secondary paint color or roof color was applied by Fisher Body)
4) Paint code 820C:
820: Colonial Cream (light cream/yellowish-white) paired with Laurel Green (medium olive/green).
C Suffix: Denotes a specific factory two-tone paint application pattern used on the 210 model lineup rather than the Bel Air (“D” suffix) or 150 series.
All things considered, it seems like a pretty good deal.