Beautifully Restored 1957 Chevrolet 210 Two-Door Sedan
This 1957 Chevrolet 210 Two-Door Sedan presents beautifully following a recent frame-off restoration. The build didn’t include any rust repairs because this classic retains all of its original Chevrolet steel. Its interior is spotless, and the numbers-matching V8 under the hood could lift it from amazing to irresistible. The only thing it needs is a new home, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist in El Dorado Hills, California. It could be yours for $39,700, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Jack M. for spotting this beauty.
Tri-Five Chevrolets are a staple of the classic market, with many buyers focused on those that emerged in 1957. They are highly sought after as project candidates and turnkey drivers. This 210 falls into the second category following a frame-off restoration, and its presentation is virtually flawless. It is claimed to be a one-owner survivor where the seller commenced their build with a completely rust-free vehicle that retains its original steel. After stripping the car to the last nut and bolt, they repainted the frame and underside. It has covered a mere 1,000 miles since work ended, and the floors retain a consistent finish with no evidence of significant chips or corrosion. With the panels as straight as an arrow, they laid on a winning combination of the Code 818 Sierra Gold and Adobe Beige paint. It looks flawless and is perfectly complimented by spotless trim and glass. One photo shows the 210 rolling on Rally wheels, while the others feature the original steelies and hubcaps. It is unclear whether the buyer will receive both, making it a question worth asking. The build process is fully documented, and the buyer will receive the associated paperwork and documentation.
The Chevy’s interior didn’t escape the seller’s attention and is trimmed in a stunning combination of Copper and Beige cloth and vinyl. There is no evidence of wear and damage, further reinforcing the seller’s usage claim since they put down their tools for the final time. The seats and other upholstered surfaces are spotless, with the same true of the carpet. There could be a couple of chips on the wheel, but if there are, they are the only thing I could criticize. The 210 walked the middle ground between the 150 and the range-topping Bel Air, with this car featuring the optional clock and pushbutton AM radio.
If you’ve been sorely tempted by this Chevy but are searching for that final piece of the puzzle, lifting the hood could reveal the tipping point. This classic retains its numbers-matching 283ci V8, which sends 220hp to the road via a three-speed manual transmission. This car emerged in an era before genuine muscle cars ruled the streets, but its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 16.4 seconds is not too shabby! The engine bay presents well, although the motor sports aftermarket valve covers. Sourcing the correct ones to substitute would be easy and would be the only change I would make. We receive no information on how this 210 runs or drives, but the car’s recent history suggests the news should be positive.
The asking price for this 1957 Chevrolet 210 Two-Door Sedan is hardly pocket change, and it will be beyond the reach of some enthusiasts. However, if you have the available funds, it would be worth considering what it would cost to purchase a restoration candidate and produce a build to this standard. You would struggle to do so for a similar sum unless you can be hands-on with most aspects of the restoration. Suddenly, the price doesn’t look that bad. Therefore, if you are struggling to decide whether to build your own or purchase a turnkey vehicle, this Chevy might make that decision for you.
Comments
Beautiful restoration. I just wish they would have found a more period looking seat belt other than those generic push buttons.
In 1957, there were no period correct seat belts.
According to the accessory manual there were lap seat belts available from 1956 and in 1957 Chevrolet offered a very rare double shoulder attachment as optional to the optional lap belt.
This is a bargain. Even though it isn’t a Bel Air and has a post, the cost to build a copy of this, even with a decent starter car, will easily hit the asking price. The 3 speed is a bonus. This car is so clean!
I just came home form the American Graffiti tribute in Petaluma Ca where the film was made 50 years ago. By far the tri-Fives were the most represented there, with everything from a stock 4 door like mine to a highly modified best of show 210. Finding one like this, that is totally dialed in, is really the way to go if you can afford it.
I think it’s a great price. 40k for a solid turn key CA 57 with the #’s 283 power pack 4bbl engine with a stick you can’t beat it Theres more then 40k in parts , labor and the rust free car itself there. The valve covers are chromed originals and they look nice.Only thing I’d do is dual exhaust.I like it with the steelies and poverty caps & WW’S but those chrome rally’s look cool too.glwts.
It is not a power pack if doesn’t have dual exhaust.
Look’s like a two barrel engine to me, but that is still a good engine
The two different pics, one with caps and the other with the rally wheels, show just what a masterpiece the styling is on the 57’s. Change the shoes to fit the occasion, dressy hubcaps for the formal shows, the rally’s for cruise in’s. The restoration cost could easily meet the asking price, the odds in finding a rust free example to start with have became very low. Too rich for my little pocketbook, but a good buy for someone with the means to do so.
That was firsr car but mine was sadly a rust bucket. I had new quaters, rouckers and fender heals put on it but the quarter rocker job was a mess. College, life and marriage got in the way and I sold it to a body shop guy who made it a Belair, swapped out the 6 and 3 on the tree for a 400 SBC and automatic. He sold it 10 plus years ago and I don’t know where it it.
This one is beautiful. Love it in its stock form…
So weird that it has different inside door trim than mine did. Each factory in different parts of the country had different parts. (I’ve seen 3 different oil bath air cleaners for the stove bolt 6 ) I had and saw a yellow engine on a 150. The guy got the original color from under the engine mounts. He said guys who worked in the factory remembered yellow engines but he never saw one. I did see one in a truck recently and it brought back those memories.
Glenn, Not sure here, but I think the yellow engine might have indicated a 265 engine. And, yes, 265’s were available in 57, and were pretty common in 57 pickups. I’m sure there are folks here with more memory than me that can comment on this.
So weird that it has different inside door trim than mine did. Each factory in different parts of the country had different parts. (I’ve seen 3 different oil bath air cleaners for the stove bolt 6 I had )and saw a yellow engine on a 150. The guy got the original color from under the engine mounts. He said guys who worked in the factory remembered yellow engines but he never saw one. I did see one in a truck recently and it brought back those memories.
You are right it is different because this one is the rarer Delray Club Coupe not the regular 210 sedan. I restored and own one currently same colour. The article mistakenly mentions vinyl and cloth interior when in fact it’s vinyl with “Inca” pattern vinyl inserts that make it look cloth at first glance. Also carpets are standard on the Delray and Belairs only but rubber floor matting on other 210’s and 150’s.
Very, very nice. They did a great job on this car and I wish I had the money and space to have this one in my driveway (and garage at night).
This is a Delray Club Coupe, hence the different door panel treatment.
A very good catch.
It is a Delray Club Coupe. I restored and own one currently same colour. The article mistakenly mentions vinyl and cloth interior when in fact it’s vinyl with “Inca” pattern vinyl inserts that make it look cloth at first glance. Also carpets are standard on the Delray and Belairs only but rubber floor matting on other 210’s and 150’s.
Cool. I didn’t know the Delray had different trim. Learned something today. (Would make finding that trim not fun-ha-ha)
Single exhaust does not equate 220 horsepower.
I believe with a 210, if you had a stick shift and single exhaust, it is a 265.
Correct this is not the 220 hp 4bbl with powerpack heads and dual exhaust. A 2bbl would be the 185hp version if it was a 283 but this one is the 162hp 265 because it was only available in 2bbl stick version (granted it has the original engine and transmission).
It’s a misconception that only V8s and certain power options were only available on Belairs. Any powertrain option was available to all trim lines. Any powertrain option that included Corvette, fuel injected or dual 4bbl had to be special ordered.
Beautiful car. Had one just like it in high school. Had a corvette 3 spd and 456s. Fun car. $1400.
Tempting since the car has a wonderful history and looks great. I’ve got the money, and we’re both residing in El Dorado Hills. What I don’t need is a car I’m hesitant to drive except to the local Cars & Coffee and the occasional club show. For me the old technology does not fit today’s conditions. Non power assisted drum brakes, single pot master cylinder, manual steering, generator instead of an alternator, no A/C, etc. Hopefully a good home awaits this fine ’57.
The car I learned to drive in. Except my father’s was a 6 cylinder, Inca Silver with an India Ivory top. My friends mother had a 210 two door hard top model. What a difference. That car of hers was a rattle trap over the smallest bumps but my Dad’s two door post was solid as a rock. Some really good memories.
I would have filled in those couple of chips on the wheel with some appliance paint. Less than one minute of work would have achieved perfection. This isn’t the first time a Barn Finds beautifully restored feature has had a “couple of chips on the wheel.”
Left over 265’s from 1956 were offered as a delete option in early 1957. These were all standard shift with a two barrel carb. They were painted yellow so that the production line could easily differentiate them from the similar looking 283 with a standard transmission and two barrel carb.
This is a misconception about left over 265s from 56 because 57 265’s have the same casting number as 283’s. They differentiated them in the factory by painting the 265’s yellow and the 283’s orange. Later on they were all orange when 283 had a different casting number; probably about the same time block mounted starter holes started appearing for the advanced but short lived Turboglide transmission.
But yes you are correct about how they are only available as a 2bbl 3 speed manual only. There was no 283 2bbl manual version so that’s one way to tell, granted the engine and transmission were original.
With respect, I beg to differ… There were 283 2bbl offerings, as clearly shown in the 1957 literature. Two of my personal friends had them back in the day, 1957 to the 60’s. One was a stick, one a PG. Both went like stink for that era. As shown in the literature, and I loosely quote… any engine, in any body style, either trans. (My best man, 1960 wedding, had a 57, 283, 2bbl, manual 3-speed… it was our ‘get-away’ car.)
Always amazed me that the huge rear side windows could roll all the way down on these 2 door post cars ’55-’57.