No other American automobile has had such a lasting appeal over the last 100 years as the 1955-1957 Chevrolets, simply known as the ‘Tri-Five Chevys’. The last of the Tri-Five Chevys, the 1957 model, w/ its big tailfins & extensive chrome trim has become just as iconic as Elvis Presley or James Dean. They are simply one of the most beautiful American automobiles ever designed.
‘Red Hills Rods & Classics’ is very happy to offer you this beautiful 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop Custom! This Bel Air spent its entire life in sunny California and was a rust-free example when it was beautifully restored in 2010. The body panels are super-straight all of the way around the car, w/ precise fit & finish throughout. The Corvette Yellow paint is single-stage acrylic and has been polished & buffed to a lustrous shine, which literally explodes in the sunlight. The extensive chrome & stainless trim, which makes these cars so beautiful, was fully restored and is in beautiful condition. The Corvette Yellow paint looks absolutely amazing on this car and truly pops like few other colors that I have seen on a Tri-Five Chevy, especially in contrast w/ the chrome & stainless trim. ‘Eye-Candy’ is the only term that comes to mind. Overall stance is also such an important detail on these cars, and this one sits just right, as she is perched on 15” polished American Racing Mags wrapped w/ BF Goodrich TA Radials (P275/60/R15 on the rear & P215/65/R15 up front). You can walk around the car a hundred times and it looks perfect from every angle. This ’57 Bel Air still sits on its original chassis which has been upgraded w/ a new 20-gallon gas tank (originally a 15-gallon tank), as well as new disc-brakes up front (see photos).
Open the driver’s door and you will find a beautiful original-style black interior w/ grey cloth inserts, and several modern upgrades for comfort & drive-ability. Features include: Camaro steering column w/ a wrapped LeCarra 4-spoke billet steering wheel, Vintage Air Conditioning, custom sound system w/ (2) Pioneer coaxial speakers in the kick panels & (2) Infinity Kappa triaxial speakers on the rear deck, black seat belts in front & back, and a set of aftermarket gauges in a custom-built console under the center of the dash. This console can easily be removed if that is your preference, but these gauges can and will come in handy. Everything else in the beautiful interior has a 100% stock appearance, just as it left the factory back in 1957. The trunk area is fully restored w/ black carpeting, spare wheel/tire, as well as a Boss 25-disc CD player mounted up top. Super clean, simple & highly functional.
Pop open the hood and you will find a beautifully detailed engine bay which houses the 350ci SBC 4-bolt main motor, featuring: Vortec heads, polished Corvette valve covers, Chevrolet hi-rise aluminum intake manifold, Holley 765 cfm double-pump carburetor, polished serpentine system, custom stainless-steel headers, chrome master cylinder & power brake booster, chrome alternator, billet overflow bottles, and a Gibbons aluminum radiator w/ (2) fans on either side. The built 350ci SBC cranks out 385hp, and is linked to a TH400 automatic transmission w/ shift kit, which links power to the Ford 9” rear-end w/ 3.00 gears. This beautiful 1957 Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop Custom was restored to drive & enjoy to the absolute fullest. She fires up instantly w/ a flick of the wrist, settling into a nice smooth idle, and she runs, drives & performs beautifully in every way. I was very surprised at the power & torque that the built SBC motor delivers, as it pinned me back in the seat when I applied my right foot down firmly, and the TH400 automatic transmission shifts super tight and responds instantly. Around town she drives like a dream w/ no rattles, unwanted noises or vibrations, and out on the freeway she tracks straight & true. The Gibbons aluminum radiator w/ its (2) fans keep her running nice & cool even in 100+ degree summer weather. Again, this is not some over-restored, over-built show car that can only be looked at but not driven, but rather a beautifully restored example that can be enjoyed to the fullest.
If you have been searching for just the right 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air that won’t break the bank, but can win ‘First Place’ trophies at your local car events, and can be driven anywhere @ anytime w/out worrying about reliability, you have found your car!