1957 Chevrolet 210

Description

Nicely built and finished, this 1957 Chevy 210 hardtop is ready for a summer of cruise nights, Sunday afternoon shows, and a lifetime of creating memories. There's an upgraded 350 under the hood, so it's faster and more reliable without changing its original character, and there's simply nobody who doesn't love a '57 Chevy.

One of the most recognized cars of all time, the '57 Chevy is an icon of car culture, and no matter how you equip it, it's hard to make a mistake. Fortunately, the craftsmen who put this car together stayed with the original recipe: Matador Red paint, an Imperial Ivory top, and those gorgeous Bel Air aluminum inserts on the rear quarters, which weren't part of the 210 package but always look right. Bodywork is good all around and the paint shines up well for local shows and a professional wet sand and buff would really take it up a notch. Chrome and stainless (and there is a lot of it on a '57 Chevy) is in good order with some re-chromed pieces, some reproduction items, and some good original stuff. The body trim and window surrounds have been polished and smoothed, along with the long trim pieces along the tops of the tailfins. Accessories like the fender skirts and deck lid-mounted antenna reinforce the '50s nostalgia look.

1957 Chevys had a lot of options in the upholstery department, but few were as dashing as the two-tone red and white vinyl that you'll find inside this handsome coupe. It's not totally authentic, of course, but it's comfortable and period-correct, using the original seats to preserve OEM levels of fit and comfort. The matching steering wheel is in good condition, including the horn ring, and the door panels mirror the original design. Bel Airs received full carpeting as standard equipment, and this one also features a set of heavy-duty floor mats to keep everything looking tidy, although the carpets are starting to show a little age. The radio hasn't been replaced with a modern unit, which is a pleasant surprise, so the dash looks very much like it would have in 1957. The trunk is finished to stock specs, including a full-sized spare and a rubber mat.

Under the hood you'll find a late-model 350 cubic inch V8, which is an easy swap in the '57's engine bay. It's nothing radical but it's surely considerably more powerful than the original 283, and with Chevy Orange paint, it looks right living under the hood. Other obvious upgrades include the power master cylinder, alternator, and air cleaner, but none of that takes away from the driving experience. It's backed by a 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission, so that part feels very much in-period, and the burbling dual exhaust system has a soft purr that never gets too aggressive. The original rear end has highway-friendly gears inside and a new gas tank hangs behind it, so it's ready to cruise. Color-matched steel wheels with hubcaps and trim rings wear whitewall radials to give it slightly more modern performance.

Values on '57 Chevys are skyrocketing, and next to convertibles, Bel Air hardtops are the ones to own. Call us today and get your piece of yesterday!