1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hard Top

Description

Did you ever expect to get a '57 Chevy hardtop this nice for so little cash? The secret here is that it's a 4-door, but with the way Chevy engineers cleverly hid the rear doors and used the same sleek pillarless hardtop design, it takes a second glance to spot it. This car also includes a comfortable interior, handsome Sierra Gold paint, and a smart-running small block to make it an incredible value.

The handsome Adobe Beige over that coppery Sierra Gold paint makes this vintage Chevy look grown up and elegant, and you quickly forget that there are four doors cut into the body. Fit and finish are quite good and obviously someone didn't care about spending a lot of money on a sedan and instead focused on getting it right. All four doors line up nicely, which is critical on a car like this with so much trim, and the sheetmetal underneath is in very good condition. The paint was done in 1993, but it still looks good enough that every time this car stops people want to ask about the color because it's so unique. All the distinctive Bel Air trim was fully restored at that time, including the quarter panel trim that blends into the door to visually lengthen the quarter panels. Decent chrome on the bumpers, proper badges and emblems, and those awesome hood ornaments make it sparkle.

The handsome bronze interior was entirely new in 1993 and while not totally stock, it does have a '50s look to it. The front and rear seats feature trim-looking pleats, the door panels have correct Bel Air fabric and stainless trim, and matching copper carpets give it a finished look, although they're showing some age now. All the factory instruments are in good condition with clear markings and the top of the dash was wrapped in matching vinyl to tie it together neatly. The original AM radio is still in the dash, although if you're going to drive this car, perhaps an upgrade would be in order. Finish quality throughout is quite good and almost no signs of use, and it's easy to see yourself with some friends or your family heading out in this good-looking car. Even the trunk is road-trip-ready with a correct rubber mat and a full-sized spare tire.

Even the engine bay is dressed up in that beautify candyapple red pain, which covers the engine itself and gives it a somewhat custom look. The 283 cubic inch V8 wears chrome valve covers, a factory air cleaner painted silver, and a 4-barrel carburetor, and some bright Chevy Orange paint. A brand new aluminum radiator, water pump, heater core, and a fresh tune-up mean it runs beautifully and doesn't have any issues out on the open road. There's a 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission behind it and the factory-issued rear end with highway gears inside, so this is a fantastic cruiser. A dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers and tips poking out from under the rear bumper gives it a great V8 sound and the chassis hasn't been detailed for show but obviously didn't come from the rust belt, either. The brakes have been recently serviced and we have to admit we kind of like the blackwalls on the original wheels and hubcaps, but some whitewalls would really make this car sparkle.

Coming from long-term ownership, this is a fun, affordable '57 Chevy that can be enjoyed as-is or taken up a notch as time and funds permit. If you like the looks of a '57 hardtop, this is as affordable as they come. Call today!