1957' Chevrolet Bel Air

This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop is truly one of those no-compromise, iconic American classic cars. Its one of the most popular vehicles ever built, and after a comprehensive restoration in 2010, it retains its awesome Onyx Black-over-Black color combination, a period-perfect 283 V8 mated to a 2-speed Powerglide powertrain, and factory suspension setup so it looks, feels, and drives EXACTLY like a 57 Chevy should, not like some modern hybrid. Impeccably restored and carrying arguably the best color combination in the hobby, this is just might be that special Tri-5 youve been waiting for. Onyx Black always looks amazing on a 57 Chevy, and for good reason. Its a high-profile car no matter what color you paint it, but the black only emphasizes the long, lean look of the ultimate Tri-5. Laser-straight bodywork is mandatory on a car of this caliber, so spending the extra time and money to get it right has paid off here in spades. The full restoration was finished back in 2010, but its been barely driven since and still carries a great shine that will sparkle at shows and makes other cars look downright shabby in comparison. Its not a perfect trailer-queen, and in fact a multi-stage detail would remedy the few minor imperfections we found (mostly swirl marks from wiping it down while it was stored) and put it over the top if youd like to take it trophy hunting. Nevertheless, as it sits today its certainly a top-end driver, not too perfect where youre going to be scared to drive it, but still nice enough to show at your local car show to great applause. All the standard Bel Air glitz is there, including the anodized panels, polished stainless strips along the tops of the fins, and the brightly chromed bumpers that look great and shine up splendidly, just like the rest of the brightwork that was attended to during the restoration. Accessories include Bel Air-specific gold trim in all the right places along with those iconic hood rockets, giving it a pure 1950s look that everyone loves. Correctly sorted and dripping with nostalgic Americana, this is a beautiful hardtop that attracts all the attention everywhere it goes. Few interiors in cars at any price point in 1957 looked better than Chevys two-tone cloth and vinyl setup. Particularly dramatic in black and silver, it paints a great picture in an already very appealing car. Everything has been expertly restored back-to-stock and still looks great today, especially the seat covers on both benches, the matching door panels, and the taut headliner above. There are a couple seams beginning to lift in the high-traffic areas and we did spot a minor tear in the headliner on the passengers side, but were really nitpicking because this cabin is truly beautiful. The black carpets are plush and barely look stepped on (thanks in large part to the protection provided by the color-keyed Bel Air floormats), and although that certainly looks like the original radio situated in its original nesting place in the dash, its actually a retro-style AM/FM/Cassette replacement. Although the steering wheel may be original and does have a few signs of use, the dash was beautifully restored and is really the star of the interior. And yes, thats a much-welcomed automatic transmission on the steering column, which makes this car a lot easier to manage on the road, regardless of the distance. And with a period-perfect black vinyl mat on the floorboard and spare-tire and jack set mounted in the correct position, the spacious trunk is finished properly with enough room to accommodate just about any travel plans. The 283 cubic inch V8 still makes all the right 1957 sounds and has that unmistakable small block growl, and its been properly dressed ad detailed to look just like it did when it was new. That includes Chevy Orange engine enamel on the block and Chevrolet-scripted valve covers, a generator, and a black snorkeled air cleaner up top. The scrappy small block fires to life with ease and is really running great with help from a replacement 2-barrel carburetor, stock intake manifold, and dual exhaust system that sounds fantastic underneath. Youll be happy to see an original style power brakes and a power steering system, which when coupled with the smooth-shifting 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission makes driving this beauty a breeze. The underside was coated in protective undercarriage liner and is incredibly clean, further evidence of a life lived easy under the tutelage of an avid collector, along with proof that its barely been driven since it was restored. Steel wheels with bright beauty rings and correct hubcaps offer a wonderful look and carry a set of 7.50-14 Firestone whitewalls that give it a sophisticated finish. Clean and reliable, this is the 57 Bel Air youve been hoping to find, combining all the features with exactly the right condition to drive, show, and enjoy. Call now!