Carport Find: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Project
One of the more popular cars we see here on Barn Finds is a “Tri-Five” Chevrolet. That may be because the original population was so large (nearly five million built). And, within that group, the 1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe is always a winner because of its styling and available V8 (before 1955, the last Chevy V8 was in 1918). This one was purchased a couple of years ago to restore, but the seller’s age will prevent that from occurring on his watch. So, now it’s your opportunity to do so, and – from a carport in Johnston, South Carolina – the Chevy is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $20,000. Our thanks to Gunter Kramer for another Bow-Tie tip!
Production numbers for each of the three years of the Tri-Fives were pretty even, so there was none of the usual drop-off you might expect with the third iteration. That may be because the styling of the ‘57s was the best of the trio (IMO) with prominent (but tasteful) tailfins entering into the picture. And Chevy offered not one but two V8 engines that year, the 265 cubic inch Turbo-Fire that debuted in 1955, and the 283 that was new in ’57 and would be available well into the 1960s. This seller’s Bel Air Sport Coupe is one of about 168,000 built that year.
From the looks of things, we gather this Bel Air hasn’t run in a while as the seller does not refer to that. Nor is the certainty of the engine being a 265, 283, or something else. We’re told the overall condition of the car is “fair” and that the frame is good. But the photos project a vehicle that’s sitting rather low, practically on the dirt on the standalone carport floor. At least two of the tires appear to be flat. The Matador Red paint (if that’s the correct color) may have been redone, but that’s a guess.
The interior looks like it has been reworked, at least the white upholstery, which might respond nicely to cleaning. But there is at least one tear that needs attending to. No history is provided in the listing, so it’s doubtful any of it will be revealed later. The seller says the Chevy could be a “very nice car with some work” which could pan out. No trades and no payment plans – if you want Bel Air, come with cash and an empty trailer.
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Comments
I’m afraid the seller is going to need to do a better presentation to get near the asking price. Way too many unanswered questions with significant repair price tags. It also looks like it may have been Tropical Turquoise, there is a bit showing under the hood.
I love the water shut off valves on the heater hoses!
Factory?!
Buy one already to go. It’s not worth it unless you are retired can do 90%of the work or you will have more money than its worth.
Maybe half the price , it might go then
Does it come with floors?
Atleast they updated to dual master cylinder….too many unanswered questions for the price requested….
Before i opened the link i was thinking the seller is going to ask 20k. Just like people think their home is worth more than market value because they ‘need the money or mine is better than yours’
Good parts car for about half asking price. Looks like what was done in past was done very poorly.
I like to pretend that I have say $20,000 to spend when I read BF each day. I’m always able to find at least one decent vehicle and most times a really nice deal. This ain’t one of them. Today for instance I can snag a really good 1994 Corvette that checks all the boxes for me. Or I can buy this non runner and start spending more money. Kind of a no brainer for me but than I’m not part of the tri-five cult. IMO this is another example of an unrealistic seller who hasn’t got a chance of getting his asking price. Maybe 10K and that’s generous.
For $20K I would expext a fully restored running car. From what I can see in the photos supplied this one needs major bodywork stating with the right rear quarter pannel and rocker pannels needing replacing. No telling how the inner fender wells are, nor the trunk pan and interior floorboards.The amount of work this one needs makes the $20K price a joke. The amount of bodywork needed will cost way more than $20K! This one ‘s value is closer to $500. as a parts car.
What year do you fellers live in?
500? Parts car?
Ha………….
Ugh that passenger side fender from the door back is just plain scary. I think the re sale red is the only thing holding it together
The cast iron pipes and house hold plumbing shut offs are comical and make you wonder what else has been tube Goldberg’d
The one has been “modified” before with the always popular American Grafitti improper vinyl interior and the gauges under the dash as well a s a few other “go slow” goodies such as Cragar look alikes and chrome valve cob=vers from long ago. In 1972 my ’56 had a similar interior in black. Going to take quite a few samolians to get the puppy up and running. Check the chassis for the ever present tin worms as you all know.