1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Door Hardtop You've headed for wide open pleasure in this spirited new hardtop, just one of eight lively, lovely sport models. All reflect Chevrolet's dashing new styling. All are alive with new colors and accents of gold or chrome. All offer new comfort and luxurious interiors. No wonder the '57 Chevrolet is such fun to go in, so glamorous to be seen in! From the 1957 brochure. For consignment, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-door hardtop showing 9,672 miles, but the true miles are unknown. With sights set on building a safe and comfortable car for his wife, lots of time and effort has been put into this car by our consignor, with improvement coming to the brakes, interior, and engine. Exterior Perhaps one of the best known cars in history, the tail fin insert on the Bel Air accounts for its overwhelming recognizability, the aluminum wedge shaped ornamental addition is a fantastic contrast to the single stage Onyx Black of this car. We could stop there on this, but the 1957 design extends to every corner of the car, including the front where inset torpedo hood ornaments complement perfectly bezeled headlights, wide eyed over a massive chrome grin, the mouth corners accented by rubber bullet shaped bumpers and inboard marker lights. The fins out back are bordered by chrome and dip inward toward moon shaped tail lights, protruding reverse lights, and a straight chrome bumper. The teardrop wheel opening in front and back arch over 14-inch red wheels with full moon wheel covers wrapped in white wall tires. Imperfections include some minor pitting on some metal parts, scuffs at a wheel opening and a dented scuff on a bumper. Interior Black and gray pebble patterned material serves as the dramatic insert on the doors, accompanied by smooth silver and black vinyl panels and all four of the doors show some age but are in good shape with some fading of the pebbles. That pebble pattern returns on the bench seat, this time with decorative buttons and surrounded by a sea of smooth silver vinyl, all of which is naturally mirrored on the back bench where legroom is vast and occupants will need to share a single ashtray located on the back of the front seat. Finger grooves line the silver steering wheel, showing some patina and offset by a polished horn ring and sharing the silver column with the speedometer which gives way to two flanking gauges. A tachometer has been added, and it sits below the dash. The mid panel is perforated aluminum with black knobs and an AM/FM/Cassette radio and the entire configuration has aeronautical vibes as space age design continues on its trajectory into the 1960's. Black loop carpet covers the floor cleanly and the silver headliner sits high and tight. The massive trunk has a full size spare and fitted loop carpet mat that fits the floor like a glove, and all is super clean, including the custom cover on the spare. Drivetrain Under the hood, a bright orange 283ci V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor and a horsepower rating of 185. A Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission is behind it and sends power to 3.36 gears in the rear axle. The bay features a newer radiator and some chrome dress up bits. Undercarriage The addition of a newer gas tank included the installation of a new fuel pump and lines. The dual exhaust travels through an H-pipe, then stock style mufflers and eventually exits via chrome tips in back. The four wheel drum brakes were completely overhauled for safety all the way down to new axle seals. Suspension consists of lowering springs up front and leaf springs in the back. Overall underside condition is good with some typical surface rust, a few drops of oil on the pan, and some oil sling at the rear U-joint. Drive-Ability They called them baby Cadillacs not only for their outward opulence, but for the smooth and floaty ride that was more luxury than sport, even as sport appeared in some model names in the original brochure. No, th