"The Restoration Cost Over $70,000": Owner Sells 1957 Chevy Bel Air for Only $42,000

Over $70,000 invested in a professional restoration. That’s how much the owner says they spent to bring this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air to the condition you see in the photos.

That’s certainly a lot, but the more unexpected part is how much the owner expects to get for the car today. They are willing to let it go for only $42,000, and while the price is firm and no other offers would be considered, this Bel Air is still surprisingly cheap.

The reason is probably the non-original engine under the hood.

1957 was the model year that witnessed the introduction of a major V8 engine. The 265 got a new upgrade to reach a displacement of 283 cubic inches, with Chevrolet therefore giving birth to the famous Turbo-Fire unit that made its way to most full-size cars in its lineup.

The 283 was available in multiple configurations, including the base two-barrel unit and a four-barrel sibling with more power. A fuel-injected 283 was also available.

This Bel Air no longer has the original engine under the hood, as power comes from a 350ci unit with 345 horsepower. While the power upgrade is more than welcome, a non-original engine under the hood of a 1957 Bel Air is not necessarily the best news for collectors.

Engine upgrades are fairly common on 1957 Bel Airs, and the 350 is often the selected engine. This unit is paired with a Turbo Automatic 350 transmission.

As for everything else, this Bel Air is spotless. The owner says they spent $70,000 on the restoration process, so it’s safe to assume that this Bel Air has also received new paint. Based on the photos, the vehicle has received more or less substantial work in every single part, so if your objective is finding an original Bel Air, my recommendation is that you call the seller and go see this car in person.

The car has been sitting in a heated, secure garage ever since the restoration was finalized. It’s been parked under a cover, and the owner says the buyer will get all receipts and documentation. This pushes the Bel Air closer to the collectible condition, so fingers crossed that someone who loves classic Chevys comes across this specimen.

The buyer won’t need to spend more dollars, as everything works in this Bel Air. It also has the right number of doors and, if you ask me, one of the best colors for 1957.

If you want to see the car in person, you need to pack your bags for a trip to Sutton, Massachusetts. Make sure you call the seller as soon as possible, though, as the listing is set to go offline in just 9 days. The price is firm, so the Make Offer button is not available this time.