1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible "Power Pack" 283 Fully Restored Rare Low Mile
Condition: | Used |
Make: | Chevrolet |
Model: | Bel Air/150/210 |
Type: | Convertible Rare Restored |
Trim: | Convertible |
Year: | 1957 |
Mileage: | 54,139 |
VIN: | VC57S275436 |
Color: | Sierra Gold |
Engine: | 283 "Power Pack" |
Cylinders: | 8 |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Transmission: | Powerglide Automatic |
Drive type: | RWD |
Interior color: | Copper/Beige |
Safety: | Seat Belts Front & Rear |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | San Clemente, California, United States |
Extras |
Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Top AM "Push-Button" Radio, "Spinner" Hubcaps, White Wall Tires, Front & Rear Bumper Guards, Electric Clock |
Listed by |
Private seller |
Description of 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210 Convertible |
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible 54139 Miles 283 CID V8 - 220 hp Power Steering
A YouTube walk-around video is available here: https://youtu.be/ijuyraVUN_o The following text is word for word from his report: On April 8, 2015, I personally inspected and evaluated the vehicle described below for the purpose of providing an estimation of the vehicle’s cash value today. I inspected the vehicle’s exterior, interior, chassis, and engine compartment. A mechanical evaluation was conducted where possible. The evaluation is based upon authenticity, preservation/restoration, maintenance and/or replacement costs. Vehicle Make & Year: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Special Features (Odometer reading: 53,953) Vehicle has a 283 CID V-8 “Power Pack” that develops 220 h.p. attached to a PowerGlide automatic transmission. Engine code is “FC” which is correct for a 1957 Chevrolet 283 CID V-8 with a Power Pack and a PowerGlide transmission. The casting dat of 7/11 (July 11) indicates that this engine could well be the original engine installed in this car at the St. Louis assembly plant. Documents in the trunk state that the vehicle was sold to the customer on August 8, 1957 that would tie in well with the casting date. Also firewall body tag indicates that the present exterior color (Sierra Gold), white convertible top and interior trim of Copper and Beige is original to this vehicle. This combination is as close to “matching numbers” as you can get on a 1957 Chevrolet. The Bel Air option included: anodized aluminum side trim, gold chevrons on front fender, gold grille insert, gold V-8 hood and trunk ornaments, bright metal rocker sill covers, window outlines, top fin covers, an electric clock, Bel Air insignia and two-tone upholstery. Other factory options on this vehicle are: power steering, power brakes, PowerGlide, oil bath air cleaner, back-up lights, door handle shields, fender skirts, heater, vanity mirror, engine compartment light, radiator insect screen, AM push-button radio, electric windshield wipers, “spinner” hubcaps, accessory rear deck molding trim, and front and rear bumper guards. Aftermarket items are: accessory ammeter, oil pressure and engine temperature gauges, seat belts have been added to front and rear seats. (Note: he left off Power Convertible Top) Comments Engine/Engine Compartment: Engine compartment is exceptionally clean and detailed. Engine compartment walls and firewall display no rust, collision damage or repairs. Engine walls are painted correct semi-gloss black while firewall is painted body color. Engine is painted the correct Chevrolet red/orange very well. Valve covers have the script “Chevrolet” correctly painted in silver. By checking the dipstick, I observed that the oil was clear and the pan is filled. All attached items are also detailed per factory specs. Power steering/generator is the correct style for a 1957 Chevrolet as is the power brake reservoir and engine wall-mounted booster. There is some oil and dirt in the bottom of the compartment that would need to be cleaned for show purposes (been done). Radiator displays no leaks in either tank or the core. Hoses are the correct style and have the correct spring steel-style clamps. Exhaust manifolds have no rust and may be painted a rust-resistant bare cast iron paint. Battery is the correct size and is a correct Delco style. Underside of hood is painted a gloss black paint in very good condition. Chassis: Underside of vehicle ahas been restored at some time and is holding up very well. I observed no excessive rust, collision damage or repairs. Front suspension units are detailed correctly having some dirt and mud splatter that would need to be cleaned for show purposes (performed, see pictures). All suspension units appear to be in excellent condition as are the power steering ram and hoses. Frame is painted correct semi-flat black paint and is mostly clean. Floor pan has no rust and appears to be undercoated with some effort to remove in areas. Bottom of ending is detailed with red/orange paint and displays no oil leakage. Rear axle is dry and also displays no oil leakage. The gas tank appears to be a newer one that is painted correctly and dirt-free. Rear of floor pan and spare tire holder are correctly painted a red primer color. Exhaust pipes are aluminized and rust-free. Mufflers appear to be the “Smitty” narrow glass-pack style txt have been painted a rust-resistant paint as are some of the muffler clamps. Tires are Coker Classic the size P205/75R14 with a 4-5 mm of tread depth but all tires have sidewall cracks and it is advised to replace the tires quickly. Wheels are the standard steel GM wheels in very good condition. Wheel covers are the optional “Spinner” style that are in excellent condition with no “curb rash”. Interior: Front bench-style seat is in very good condition with no rips, tears or split seams. Rear seat and upholstered quarter panels are in excellent condition. Backs of the front seats are in very good condition but both side bolsters have a small nick on the side where it meets the door. Door panels are also in very good condition with no sun or water damage or waviness in the panels. Window frames are in good condition with a couple of scratches. Carpeting is in very good condition, fitted well and comes with color matching floor mats. Instrument panel is painted a close-to-matching color to the exterior in a gloss paint with no dents and has been painted well. Instruments are earl-to-read with clear lenses and bright faces. There are three under0dash-mounted auxiliary gauges that are: engine temperature, oil pressure and ammeter all easy-to-read. All interior chrome, aluminum and bright metal trim is in excellent condition. The underside of the convertible top has no sun-damage and padded well. Top irons are painted a semi-flat black paint and are in very good condition. Exterior: Exterior paint has a very high gloss with no drips, runs or poor prep noted. All panels are straight with no ripples or excessive waviness. There are a few nicks and minor scratches around the body but nothing major. Both doors, hood and trunk lid have factory correct gaps between the panel and body. Weatherstripping on doors and trunk lid are soft and most probably have been replaced. Front and rear bumpers and bumper guards have very good chrome with no pitting waviness or peeling. Stainless trim is dent and scratch-free and attached well to the body. The aluminum rear quarter side panel inserts are in very good condition as is the gold anodized aluminum grille and the rear deck trim molding. Turn indicator grille bar chrome has some scratches or pits. The fender skirts are in good condition but have some excess rubber or scratched sections on the shirt itself. The fabric convertible top is in very good condition with no rips, tears or split seams and fitted family all with a couple of wavy sections on the rear. The plastic rear window is very clear having no cloudy sections and installed well. Trunk is detailed correctly with the walls and underside of the trunk lid painted body color. The carpeted mat, while not correct, is more plush than the original rubber one. The spare tire is a blackwall 7.50 X 14” which is the original correct size for this vehicle. The spare also has a “Spinner” wheel over that matches the covers on the car. There is a good deal of original documentation mounted on a a frame inside the trunk. This includes the original bill of sale from the dealer, original title, warranties, tax statement and others (see pictures). All windows are scratch and crack free but the windshield is beginning to delaminate on the driver’s side edge. PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION Engine: 283 CID V-8 developing 220 h.p. Radio/sound system: AM radio that played well during test ride (takes a little while to warm up) Headlights: Operational High Beams: Operational Wheels (type/size): Standard steel GM 14” style with “Spinner” wheel covers. Others: ROAD TEST Drove/Rode? RodeRoad test miles: 4-6 SUMMARY COMMENTS This example of a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible is an older show car restoration that is still holding up well. Not only is the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible arguably the most desired car of the 1950’s but this vehicle has all of the earmarks of a “matching numbers” vehicle. The vehicle has some needs if wanted to return it to a show condition but I would rate it as a number two conditions as it stands out (out of six). William G. Krieger (Appraiser - see credentials above) History: (partial from documentation & receipts in 100 page book) I would like to add about this car is everything on it appears to be extremely original. Things like door handles, emblems, knobs, radio, little chrome and stainless pieces as well as all the body panels and larger chrome pieces appear to be 100% original to the car… and clearly NOT cheap reproduction pieces. So many of these cars have been cheapened with Chinese reproduction pieces. This car has an extremely original feel and look to it. Furthermore, the car drives and runs like a dream. I drives like only a low mileage original car can… in my long career of owning, restoring and judging these kinds of vehicles. My gut tells me this is a very real 54K mile car and that is why it is so tight and drives so nicely. If there's a better way to spend warm summer evenings than behind the wheel of a car that looks and drives like this, I can't imagine what it is. Literally everything about this classic will make you smile: how it sounds, how it feels, how it accelerates, and how it draws appreciative glances from random people on the street. And if you're looking to add a little spice to your weekend routine, it's the perfect way to take Sunday drives to a whole new level! Are you in the market for a solid, original, low mileage restored 57 Chevy Bel Air Convertible that you can enjoy on sunny days and cruise to local shows? Then this may just be the car for you! The car is for sale locally and we reserve the right to cancel this auction at any time before the end of the auction. We do not have a Buy It Now Price listed. The car will be made available for inspection by serious bidders throughout the auction. Please e-mail us if you would like to see the car. If you prefer, we can arrange to have a qualified, independent, professional mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection for you (at your expense). It is the buyers responsibility to verifythat all of the sellers information and claims about the car are true and correct prior to the sale of the vehicle. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL NOT ACCEPT PAYPAL AS A FORM OF PAYMENT. THIS IS TRUE FOR BOTH THE INITIAL DEPOSIT AS WELL AS THE FINAL PAYMENT. This vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to purchase based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle. Please Check My Feedback- I value my 100% positive rating, and will do my best to keep it. The winning bidder should have the car insured from the time the final payment is made to us. Once final payment is made, we will exercise a generally accepted standard of care, but the buyer assumes all liability and risk once the final payment is made. |