Well, this is probably the 4,317th 1957 Chevrolet that we’ve covered here on BF, and one may ask, “Why another?” Good question! My reason for reviewing this 69-year-old resident of Lexington, Kentucky, is its beautiful and super-clean condition. It has undergone a restoration and some enhancements and shows as being excellently maintained. Through it all, it has been in firm possession of a tasteful bearing. We have Pnuts to thank for this tip, and those with an interest will find this fine Five-Seven here on Facebook Marketplace, where it’s available for $38,500.
To state the obvious, this wagon is of the four-door variety, and while the two-door versions seem more popular these days, the Nomad in particular, many appreciate the convenience of four, even on a collectible. Trim-wise, this wagon appears to be a Bel Air Townsman, positioned beneath the Nomad, but above the Two-Ten and the entry-level One-Fifty. The finish, which I believe is “Sierra Gold Iridiscent,” is hands-down my favorite for ’57, and topped with what looks like “Calypso Cream,” is the perfect contrasting combination. The finish, chrome, stainless trim, glass, stance, all of it, is just perfect. Even the underside images reveal a very clean and sound structure, though the seller does state that the floor pans have been replaced. Note the wheels, I believe they are VN510 Draft Vintage pieces from American Racing. It’s a very modern look, and I would suggest a welcome departure from the overdone Chevrolet Rally Wheel or Cragar S/Ss, which so often adorn Tri-Five Chevies.
For power, this wagon is packin’ a first-year 220 gross HP, 283 CI V8 engine backed up by an automatic transmission. The seller claims that the engine is original and includes “A new milodone oil pan, a one-piece oil pan gasket, new cork valve cover gaskets, a new 7-blade fan, a new fan shroud, a new stainless fuel line from tank to new 57 fuel pump, and a correct line from pump to carb.” The automatic transmission that is backing up the small block is a Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4, a four-speed automatic overdrive unit, and a welcome swap for the original Powerglide. Looking around the engine compartment, I spy an upgraded dual circuit master cylinder – always a wise move!
The interior is decked out in what looks like original style two-tone upholstery. Every aspect of the interior shows like new; it’s brilliant in its cheerful 1950’s presentation – so much more alive than what we find in today’s cars. The hard parts wear the same two-tone paint combination as the exterior, and it ties the environment together perfectly. Even the way back, an area often subjected to more vigorous use, is holding up its end of the bargain.
So, see why I like this ’57 as much as I do? Its understated nature just leaps off the listing and really grabs your attention, but without hitting you over the head. The seller tells us that he’s owned this wonder wagon for fifteen years; my guess is that it will be difficult to part with such a fine specimen after so many years. Well, if this is the 4,318th 1957 Chevy we’ve covered, I’d say it was worth it; how about you?
I hate 4 doors, but this wagon presents so well it could make me think twice and let my previous slanted opinions go and be a little more open to reality and see if there can be other things to consider. They are not actually bad cars just different and they can be very cool! This is not a political opinion, we are talking about cars here. Read what you want too.
4 doors rule!!!!
This is a nicely done 57 wagon and I love them with four doors. The worn steering wheel adds a nice retro touch as well. All it needs is a set of factory rims, hubcaps and a set of whitewalls and this sweetheart is ready for cruising!
Beautiful just like it is. Well done restoration.
Nice car. The buyers for 1950s rigs that are not hot rods are disappearing. They are all in their mid-70s. Especially at this ask.
It’s a novelty car, not a collector car (if there even is such a thing below Tier I). Novelty cars top out at $15k for really nice ones.
People can put whatever money they like into something, but getting it back out requires a willing buyer.
I love when people say $xxxxx.xx invested, ha ha ha.
When we were kids it was all about the Sport Coupes or Nomads Now today I’ll take a 2 door 150/210 or a four door wagon like this one any day!
Needs A/C
Looks like canyon coral to me. Sierra gold has a copper tone to it.
The four-door curse will limit offers for this beauty! $38,000 seems too high.
Nice wagon, looks the way it is supposed to!
Curse???? 4 doors make sense in so many ways!!!
THUMBS-UP on the FOUR DOORS! Though, first of all, it’s not a Bel Air; it’s a Two-Ten. There are several “tells” for this: no fancy aluminium trim in the rear divided section of the side-spear, only paint; no dressy aluminium trim across the dashboard, again, painted; and (a-hem!) “Two-Ten” in the middle of the steering-wheel! You find it “understated” because it is: it’s a Two-Ten! But the Two-Ten in 1957 was an interesting choice, because you could order one with all of the “bells”, “whistles”, and “toys” you could get on the Bel-Air — including air-conditioning, clock, the better radio, tissue-dispenser, the new 283 — the WORKS! Or you could order it with none of these things and a stove-bolt 6 under the bonnet. Hence, you find “plain-jane” Two-Tens, fancy Two-Tens”, and all varieties in-between. People ordered the Two-Ten because it wasn’t “flashy” in the way that the Bel-Air was, and you could have specifically the options YOU wanted (whereas, with the Bel Air, you might well be paying for accessories as “standard equipment” which you might not care to be paying for)(for example, the original owner of this Two-Ten did not order the luggage roof-rack). But if you wanted to “wow” your neighbours, you ordered the Bel Air, which radiated 1950s “luxury” telegraphed from your driveway. HOWEVER… if you want to sell ME a classic car, HAVE IT WEARING ITS ORIGINAL WHEELS AND HUBCAPS, please! HARD PASS on this one, for that reason.
Ah no, note the attached; it’s a Two-Ten from the Chevrolet sales brochure. It used a single extended piece of stainless-steel trim – no quarter panel “V”.
JO
Now, here’s the Bel Air Townsman, our subject car; it did not use the brushed stainless “V” shape quarter panel trim panel used on the Bel Air sedan, hardtop, and Nomad, just an open “V” to be finished in body color or a contrasting hue.
JO
I would have to investigate this, but I grew up in a 57, 210 nine passenger wagon. It had the V-shaped stainless quarter trim like a Belair but was painted white in the middle like every other 210 I knew of. I actually owned 210s, a couple of them back in that day. Every 210 I’ve seen had the same stainless V trim on the quarter but was painting in the middle rather than having the stainless insert. The top quarter trim was shorter on the 210 also. This Belair Beauville term is a new one to me.
IF you want to insist that this is a Bel Air; then could you please explain the Two-Ten dash and the Two-Ten steering wheel? The only difference in the steering-wheel is the badge in the middle of it — and this one says “Two-Ten”. Regardless of the brochure (these things were notoriously wrong when mistakes were made); have you EVER seen a Two-Ten-trimmed dashboard in a Bel Air? — or, for that matter, any Two-Ten with a single side spear, as illustrated in the brochure? That might have been the original intent; however, come production-time, they clearly decided to use the Bel Air side-trim on both the Bel Air and the Two-Ten, distinguished only by the aluminium fill section on the Bel Air and paint on the Two-Ten. These dealer brochures and full-spread ads in LIFE and LOOK were prepared in the months leading up to the new cars coming out, and as you can see, they are artist’s concept drawing-paintings, exaggerated in long and low demensions. One more comment: when they were restoring this station wagon, why did they not restore that badly worn steering-wheel? What ELSE did they NOT do, and just how decrepit WAS this Chevy when they started? HARD PASS. You are dealing with a reader who was intimately involved with the 1957 Chevy when it came out: this is a Two-Ten.
IF you want to insist that this is a Bel Air; then could you please explain the Two-Ten dash and the Two-Ten steering wheel? The only difference in the steering-wheel is the badge in the middle of it — and this one says “Two-Ten”. Regardless of the brochure (these things were notoriously wrong when mistakes were made); have you EVER seen a Two-Ten-trimmed dashboard in a Bel Air? — or, for that matter, any Two-Ten with a single side spear, as illustrated in the brochure? That might have been the original intent; however, come production-time, they clearly decided to use the Bel Air side-trim on both the Bel Air and the Two-Ten, distinguished only by the aluminium fill section on the Bel Air and paint on the Two-Ten. These dealer brochures and full-spread ads in LIFE and LOOK were prepared in the months leading up to the new cars coming out, and as you can see, they are artist’s concept drawing-paintings, exaggerated in long and low demensions. One more comment: when they were restoring this station wagon, why did they not restore that badly worn steering-wheel? What ELSE did they NOT do, and just how decrepit WAS this Chevy when they started? HARD PASS. You are dealing with a reader who was intimately involved with the 1957 Chevy when it came out: this is a Two-Ten. One more observation: The Bel Air said “Bel Air” on the dashboard: the Two-Ten and the 150 said “Chevrolet”, as does this one.
Well you’ve offered a screed, in duplicate again, but no hard proof. Call it what you want, I know what it is, after all, I did all the work.
JO
(Yeah, the brochure is wrong, right, that’s the ticket!)
I hate to bother you with another “detail”; but, do you see just in front of the tail-light assembly, in the white painted area between the two branches of the side-spear? It says “Chevrolet” right there: the Bel Air says “Bel Air”. SORRY, Guys; this is a Two-Ten. If it is a nine-passenger, then it is a Beauville; but if it is a six passenger, then it is a Two-Ten Townsman.
When taking into consideration the time and money to restore this classic, it’s a fair price, and the fact that it was kept original, somebody’s going to get a cool ride
Have to go with Harrison here. Here’s why.
1. I did an image search and did not find any ’57 210 wagons with the side trim shown in the brochure. They all had the “Bel Air style” trim like this car with “Chevrolet” script within the rear quarter area where the Bel Airs had the brushed metal insert (and “Bel Air” script).
2. A search of this site finds plenty of 210s with the “Bel Air style” side trim and none with the 210 brochure trim. If the brochure is correct why are there no examples to be found today? Based on 1 and 2 I’d say the brochure is wrong.
3. There’s a “Chevrolet” badge between the clock and the radio. Bel Airs have a “Bel Air” badge there; 210s have the “Chevrolet” badge.
4. This car has no Bel Air badging — only badging correct for a 210. It also has a 210 steering wheel and dashboard as Harrison pointed out.
5. Not even the seller claims this is a Bel Air. Probably because it isn’t as all signs point to it being a 210.
Thank you, Vance. That agrees with what I saw. And, at this price, the replacing of floor pans and that badly worn steering wheel would give me pause…
There is a Booklet on Dezo’s showing engineering features and Model numbers, it shows this as a 210, a Belair would also have the 3 Moldings in the fender behind the headlight.
Going back and taking a second look the indentations on the front fenders aren’t there, filled in or aftermarket fenders?
Very interesting research, is it a Belair or a 210, if you’re looking at it from an investment point of view, the vehicle doesn’t hold enough water, the market value for classics isn’t there, be better to buy condemned properties and flip them, nevertheless, this ride is cool, is it worth the money? Depends who’s buying it and for what reason, if it was me, I’d try to come down on the price, but I’m driving this sweetheart to Walmart and my doctor’s visits, but I’ll park as far away from everyone else to avoid IDIOTS opening their doors on my doors AND 1/4 panels
To Rich Z: Good catch!!! The three indentations were there on the Two-Ten as well. In the case of a V-8 such as this, a Two-Ten would have had those three gold bars also. This is getting to look more and more like a re-build/rescue of a “project” condition example, and not a restoration on a nice (but faded) original. Wonder what ELSE here is “aftermarket”? You can just about build a ’57 Chevy from scratch entirely on aftermarket parts, these days. I would keep far away from this one!!! With the values of “Tri-Fives” diminishing of late, and owner/maintainers dying-off, you can have a very nicely preserved surviving original at this price! Not a Nomad, maybe, but neither is this example.
Seriously. I missed that too. Why would anyone, aftermarket or otherwise make a replacement fender without the indentations (gills)? Maybe someone filled them at some point as a custom mod?
Who KNOWS?? But Pnuts, there are more questions than answers with this one; that’s for sure! And with everything it needs, that price is in dreamworld! The front fenders on these used to rust-through around the headlights, partly because the vent-intakes were right there, and salted water could get in. Perhaps a rust-repair occurred. But these fenders look too straight for that. Maybe robbed from a 150? — I don’t think the 150 had those indentations. But this car appears to have a possible shaky back-story, and the seller had best come clean about its history!
All Models appear to have those indentations