Corvette Engine? 1957 Chevrolet 210 Sport Coupe
The Tri Five Chevies continue to be popular 64 years after the last one was built. The ’57 model seems to get more nods from collectors given their more aggressive appearance over the ’55-56 versions. The 2-door Sport Coupe sold well, especially in Bel Air trim, but the body style was also available in the mid-level 210 models, like the seller’s car. This Chevrolet was a barn find when the seller bought it and he’s been working on it ever since, so “before” and “after” photos seem to be a part of the listing here on Facebook Marketplace. This Chevy is in Weippe, Idaho and the seller is firm on his price of $10,000.
You see more Bel Air Sport Coupes than the 210s because Chevrolet built eight times as many of the higher-level model (168,293 copies vs. 23,092). The seller’s car is the rarer of the two and looks to have once been finished in Tropical Turquoise or Highland Green. We’re told the car has been stored for at least 30 years, though we see both inside and outside pics. The body may be solid as the seller says, but there is plenty of surface rust and lots of little dings and nicks.
At 90,000+ miles, this old Chevy is going to need a lot of help. The work already performed by the seller looks to have included removing the glass and exterior trim as well as interior pieces. Lots of stuff are stacked up in the back of his garage. We don’t know what engine or transmission came in the car when new, but the seller says he has an LS-1 Corvette motor with 31,000 miles. And a 5-speed manual transmission. But doesn’t come outright and say this drivetrain comes with the purchase.
We get the impression that the owner isn’t too anxious to sell and – if he can’t get his price – he will just keep working on the car. Hagerty indicates this could be a $48,000 automobile in pristine show condition, with Fair bringing about $14,000. If the drivetrain doesn’t come with the car, this may be a project that you could be upside down on before completing it. And it would no longer be of original quality with a Corvette motor.
Comments
Assembly required. LS1 with a 5 speed. Something you don’t see everyday.
I thought the LS1 was designed to work “hand in glove” with the automatic. GM doesn’t offer any truck with a manual transmission today.
The LS1 isn’t a truck engine. The one with this ’57 is probably from a Corvette, Camaro, or Firebird–lots of which had manual transmissions (usually six-speeds). ALL true LS engines have aluminum blocks, a fact the major magazines ignore when they refer to every engine of this design as an “LS”.
Iron-block and aluminum truck versions are simply Generation III or IV V8 engines, which share the same architecture. NO trucks were built with an LS engine. The only 5.3L LS engine made was installed sideways in the Pontiac GXP (LS4).
The downfall of many a “Barnfind” turned project. Tear it down and loose interest. Like buying a jigsaw puzzle and scattering the pieces. Ambitious project for someone with deep pockets and time..
Disassembly already done? A lot of time and work. You can build it 1-800! Everything is available, and looks like 1piece bumpers, I like it for the price!
Some assembly required, battery …not included!
Parting out?
People need to stop watching the auction shows and return to the world of reality.
Just try one restoration and you will think twice about another one unless your in the business. Buy one complete or close to completion because the owner of 5 years wants it gone.
But I saw it on TV, they did a full resto for the car show in 2 weeks AND they didn’t loose the shop! LOL
It looks like this car was originally equipped with a 6 cylinder engine. The holes in the front of the hood only support the Chevrolet script, with none for the, “V,” that would appear below the script if it was equipped with a V-8.