1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Description

If there's one car everyone can agree on, it's probably the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible. This Matador Red ragtop is an early restoration with some patina, but it's also a car that features all its original sheetmetal and almost 100% OEM components throughout, not repro stuff, making it a rather rare find indeed.

When this car was restored years back, they spent a lot of extra time seeking out the best of the best when it came to replacement parts. No catalog stuff, but real GM sheetmetal and trim, all brought together in one great-looking ragtop. The bodywork was restored to a very high standard, with straight steel and good gaps all around, and even with some age on it, you can see that they did a heck of a job. The aging red paint looks good going down the street and actually has an inviting patina that gives the car character and if it were mine, I'd leave it just the way it is instead of chasing perfection. The trim still sparkles and everything fits the way only original stuff can. Hours of work went into getting everything lined up and the fact that it stayed that way for years to come means they did it right. The chrome sparkles, the anodized quarter panels have crisp details, and the big gold-anodized V on the hood means there's a V8 living underneath.

High style was the name of the game in 1957, and the Bel Air delivers. Two-tone red and gray upholstery looks far younger than it is thanks to expert care over the years. Both front and rear seats are in great shape, the gorgeous door panels look almost new, and bright red rubber floor mats have protected the black carpet from harm. The dash was restored with the rest of the car, with crisp, bright gauges and that wide strip of bright trim that doesn't seem excessive in the flashy '57. The factory-issued AM radio still lives in the middle of it all and the steering wheel's delicate horn ring looks as good as ever. There's a white power convertible top to keep out the elements, and it stashes under a red vinyl boot, which is undoubtedly how it will spend most of its time. The trunk received a correct rubber mat and carries a full-sized bias-ply spare tire and jack assembly.

The engine bay was very correctly detailed at the time of restoration and doesn't show much evidence of use today. The factory air cleaner, bright Chevy Orange paint, and even correct hose clamps and fasteners ensure that this car is accurate throughout; remember that dedication to using only OEM parts? There's a correct generator spinning on the side of the engine, cast iron ram's horn exhaust manifolds, and a single master cylinder on the firewall. Underneath, it's still quite clean, with proper red oxide primer on the floors, a satin black frame, reproduction dual exhaust system, and a 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission feeding the original rear end. The only real deviation from 100% OEM parts are the wheels and tires, which are chrome wires and flashy 215/75/15 wide whitewall radials, but it would be easy to find some original steel wheels and make it totally stock.

A very well restored car that has mellowed into a fantastic cruiser, this reasonably-priced '57 Bel Air remains America's favorite convertible. Call today!