283ci V8 Fuelie/3-Speed Manual/Excellent Condition/Beautiful Underneath

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop

Imagine a car so popular that a new term came to be based on that design. That name is Tri-Five, which refers to 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevrolet automobiles, in particular the Bel Air, 150, 210, and the Nomad. With beautiful proportions and new skins each of those successive years, and a thorough peppering of chrome, these cars produced in this time became iconic. From all original to highly modified versions, many Tri-Five clubs have sprung up to showcase individuality, originality, and the beloved Chevrolet concepts of Harley Earl and his team.

Gracing our numerous showrooms here at Classic Auto Mall is an example from the Tri-Five's most glorious year, 1957. Also, the top of the line model in the Bel Air. This baby is fuel injected and dressed in Matador Red and has a gorgeous black textured flagstone patio pattern broadcloth with red vinyl interior. A star of magazine features, and purchased from Hendricks Motorsport Museum in 2011, all in gorgeous condition, she's ready for the prom!

Exterior
Straight rust-free steel panels draped in Matador Red cover the exterior of this car. A white ribbed fin panel is inserted on the rear quarters and has gold Bel Air badging in your grandmother's handwriting along with a cloisonn bowtie badge. Upfront two jet age hood inserts fly forward leaving a jet trail in the form of a small bump that dies at the windshield. The smiling front grille is all very nicely chromed and has a large lower bumper complete with two small Dagmars with rubber tips. The correct for Bel Air trim gold egg crate is buried within the smile. A swoop trim spear runs from the headlights to the rear quarter where it divides and allows for the ribbed insert. More Matador Red paint for the roof, and more chrome trim around the windows. The rear of the car now goes full bore with the vertical fins all trimmed in chrome with the crescent moon taillights and backup lights melting into a clean and mirror-like chrome bumper. A note to this car's exterior paint, it is nearly faultless with only 3 scratches upon looking closely at the lower portions of this car when it's on the lift. 14-inch wheels with Bel Air trimmed faux "spinner" wheel covers and wide whites are on all 4 corners.

Interior
Dripping in 50's styling there is abundant use of the nifty broadcloth that has a fine red bordered flagstone pattern stitched into a black background. This greets red vinyl and is used this way on the door panels, and the seats. Also add in a silver chromed button in the mid section of each back for these classic chairs. A nice red dash is upfront and has the upwardly mobile curved cove for the instrument cluster and turn signal lights. Cutting through the middle of the dash is a chromed mesh horizontal trim that houses the radio, and various control knobs. Beautiful black carpet floods the floors, and a tight pristine red headliner is floating above all this 50's design.

Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and we are met with the beautifully restored 1957 version of fuel injection. It is truly an engineering wonder and is atop a 283ci V8. This engine also is coded to have a 283 hi lift cam. A 3-speed manual transmission is on back and throws power rearward to a 3.55 rear axle. A shout out to the engine bay, which is well done and very clean, and shows off the fuel injection option nicely.

Undercarriage
Not to be outdone by the upper restoration, underneath is totally rust free, and beautifully restored. All black save for the red oil pan, dual Flowmaster mufflers, and Matador Red sprayed floorpans and rockers which are like new and do not have a spot on them, it is just near perfect. Independent coil springs are the front suspension, and leaf springs bring up the rear. Drum brakes are seen all around.

Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and ran smoothly, shifted effortlessly, and the fuel injection propelled us forward in a serious manner. All functions were working, even the radio, and idle for the fuel injection was adjusted by someone who knows this system, as it is difficult to get a good idle out of these systems.

A very nicely preserved Bel Air, awesome exterior paint and trimmings, stunningly retro interior, fuel injection, which is marvelous to look at and ponder, and a clean and pristine undercarriage. It will arrive with a complete rundown of the expert fuel injection rebuild and maintenance records of said system from Chuck Smith of Valley California. Lest I forget this car was bought from the Hendricks Motorsports Museum in 2011 so it has some provenance too! Money...burns a hole in my pocket...

VIN DECODE
VC57L184209
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
57-1957
L-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
184209-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 1037D-1957 Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop
BODY NO VN11990-Van Nuys Body #
TRIM NO 676-Black & Red Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT NO 802-Matador Red
ACC EZ1-Tinted Glass

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.