To many, the 1957 edition of the so-called “Tri-Five” Chevrolets of 1955-57 are the best looking. And perhaps the most collected, even though the production numbers by year didn’t vary much. This ’57 Sport Coupe in Bel Air trim is said to need a total restoration, but the photos don’t present a dire situation. The engine may be more recent, and the car is said to run and drive as it should. From Greenville, South Carolina, this vintage Chevy is available here on craigslist for $12,500. Chuck Foster, thanks for another cool tip!
Besides gaining tailfins in 1957, the big Chevy news was the addition of a second V8 engine to the options list. In addition to the 265 cubic-inch eight-cylinder which came along in ‘55, a 283 motor was now also available. We don’t know if either came with this Chevy when new or are there now – or has something a bit more modern installed. What’s your take on what you see in the photos?
Chevy produced 168,000 Bel Air Sport Coupes in 1957, plus another 23,000 with the lesser 210 (in terms of trim). We don’t know the history of this one and even the odometer reading is left blank. Has it been previously restored and ready to go again (the rear bumper certainly could use some new chrome)? And we only get a glimpse at the interior, so we really can’t gauge its condition. A little more effort would help sell this Chevy. BTW, there are two prices in the ad, $12,500 and $14,500 OBO. We assume it was lowered even though the listing is only a day old.
I drive it weekends or more for that price. These classics belong on the ROAD not in garages.
Is it me or is that 4 door Belair trim?
Sure looks like it, at least the rear door side molding. https://www.countryclassiccars.com/vehicles/651/1957-chevrolet-bel-air
I watch too many episodes of Fantom Works not to worry about rust especially the floor pans. Paint on the left front fender looks like it was applied by Sherwin-Williams. Probably just scratching the surface…hence the price.
That’s the first thing I noticed too. And while it may not be “dire”, if you look closely at the driver’s 1/4 / rocker area, there is evidence of Mucho Bondo…
Still a running tudor Hardtop for $13K is a bargain.
Mark
Good catch, I see it now too.
On both sides
D&D speed shop taught me to see that
Not that it’s a bad thing as long as its represented as a 4dr.
Price reflects it
It appears to be a bondo/rust bucket to me. I’d have to see it in person and on a lift to checkout the body and frame before putting money in the 57.
It is a converted four door if you look you.can see the split in the trim where the door use to open
This car was listed here before. It is a converted four door!!!!!
Yes it is. Is that a bad bond job Ion the driver side rear wheel??
This is less than 10 miles from me so I looked
Wow looks MUCH better in photos than in person
LOTs of Bondo in door bottoms and rocker not even sanded smooth the paired over
It is a converted 4 door
Non original drive train Smokey
Like my dogs said RUFF
350 but the generator?
Some of the trim is from a 4-door, but the car itself can’t be a converted 4-door unless they took the entire roof / bird cage off a 2-door HT and dropped it down on a 4-door floor pan. That is a 2-door hard top roof and glass. Four door hardtops had a completely different roof and rear glass. https://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1957_chevrolet_bel-air_13c91a9b-7b3a-4602-9acd-5c05575f1c1a-02283.jpeg?w=620&resize=620%2C413
The converted 4-door cars are typically post cars. Two door and 4 door sedans (post cars) had the exact same roof and back glass, you just have to move and change the B-pillar, and change the structure where the quarter glass rolls down.
An actual possibility is that it was a 210 2-dr hardtop, and someone just added the Belair trim.
I can tell you it’s a mess when seen in person. It is rusty and cobbled together. But Jeff is correct it was not a bel air originally
AT LEAST SELLER IS HONEST IN THE LISTING !! “1957 Chevrolet bel air 2 door hard top. Up for sale, I’m selling my 57 2 door top . This is a running and driving car. Needs total restoration, or drive it like it is. The car does have rust, the picture makes it look a lot better. But is still very fixable! Needs total restoration”.