1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible Heads To Auction: Video
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The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is the quintessential classic Chevy. With a fresh facelift for the 1957 model year, that included bigger fins, a revamped front bumper and grille, dual “rockets” in the hood, and a larger 283 cubic-inch Small Block V8, the upscale Bel Air sold 47,000 units.
Our feature Chevrolet Bel Air has been lovingly restored by marque specialists Snodgrass Restorations. I have personally seen their work up close, and it is exceptional. This Larkspur Blue Bel Air convertible has received a comprehensive restoration. Paint prep and execution is beautiful, with great care taken. Panel gaps are consistent throughout. The bumpers, along with all the other chrome trim, gleam as new. Stainless trim is highly polished. Painted steel wheels are topped by spinner hubcaps, and wrapped in proper wide whitewall bias ply tires. The glass appears crystal clear and spotless. The power convertible soft top has been changed from its original white to the owner’s preferred light blue.
Inside the Chevrolet Bel Air, the interior materials and finishes present as new. The dashboard is resplendent in two-tone blue paint with stainless trim. All gauges are bright and fresh, with clear lenses. Two-tone cloth upholstery covers the front and rear bench seats. Door sills are brilliant, with not a heel scuff noted. Darker blue carpets cover the floor and look showroom fresh.
The pristine engine bay of the Chevrolet Bel Air is home to the Super Turbo Fire 283 cubic-inch V8 that produces 220 horsepower. The two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission backs the Small Block. Proper gloss black paint gleams on the fenders, while the firewall has a shiny coat of Larkspur Blue. Everything presents as correct and new, right down to the reproduction Delco battery with yellow caps.
The trunk of this Chevrolet Bel Air has new black rubber mats on the floor, Larkspur Blue on the walls, correct stickers for jacking instructions, and a brand new bias ply spare with the sticker still affixed.
The quality of the restoration on this Chevrolet Bel Air is undeniable. It will be offered for sale at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, AZ, auction March 20th-27th.
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I would love to get my hands on one of these but I can’t get high enough of my hip pocket to buy one. Lol
I was a little kid when these cars come out. My Dad loved going to all the dealerships in the fall to see the next model vehicles and that is such good memories of my Dad and I doing things together. I know the 57 is probably the most popular Chevrolet of the 50’s, the one I fell in love was the all new 58 Impala. Later years owned many model years of Impala and then my 1976 Caprice Classic. The 57 has grown on me over time and this convertible is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!
I wasn’t around when these cars came out but I am old enough to remember the annual model change and how exciting it was to go see the new cars. Sometimes it was a big change for a model but if not at least the tail lights and grilles got a new look and the changes were often a surprise. My first job was next door to a Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac dealer and from our back parking lot, I could see into the dealer’s back lot and in the fall I was always peering over the fence looking for the new models. Those were fun times. The air would begin to get crisp and cool and you knew it was time for the new cars to start showing up. The September and October issues of the car magazines were the most anticipated because they previewed what was coming in a few weeks. Nothing like that today. That excitement is all gone.
SWEET!!! But as was said, way out of my ballpark. The blue top is different looking.
When I was a kid, there was one the same color as this with a white top that a fella had at the other end of the block. It had some funny little emblems on the fenders that said “fuel injection”. I eventually found out what that was. Those were the days.
Cars were built like TANKS in those daze. And look at that steel steering wheel and NO seatbelts.
I am sure it is better restored than new. I showed a 11,000 mile 2nd gen Camaro that was in showroom condition for a friend and it amazed me how many flaws were in it vs the restored cars.
These are cars we will never see the likes of again sadly.
I recall the yearly changes and a great uncle who would order two GM cars every spring and no idea what they would look like. We would get sneaked into the dealers back room to see his cars in late August and have to wait about 2 weeks for the release. GM would hold the titles. That was exciting times. I just can’t still believe he would order sight unseen. There was no web or car spies to take photos 4 years in advance.
Watched the video. All beautiful restorations. Will these beauties ever be driven much? If I was going to drive and enjoy a classic Chevy I would at least upgrade to a better transmission. The two-speed automatic in any classic maybe be historically correct, but it would be nice to put in a 3-speed and matching diff. Just sayin….if you want to enjoy driving it any speed over 50 mph.
Don’t get all mad, but in 100 years, more or less, if you want to drive one of these it will probably have to be fully electric and maybe only on roads were non-autonomous cars are allowed.
Awesome vehicle. Love the 57 but my favorite was the 55. Good old built in the USA with American steel !