Great Builder: 1957 Chevrolet 150 Project
“Restoration started.” Isn’t that how you describe a car that’s been blown into pieces to put a positive spin on the situation? Nonetheless, this 1957 Chevrolet 150, listed here on Craigslist and located near Denver Colorado looks like a great basis for someone who wants a car to build. The price of $7,500 seems reasonable considering the difficulty in finding solid, buildable tri-five Chevys these days.
The seller doesn’t provide much of a description. He states that “All body & frame parts are in good condition”. The frame is nowhere in sight. But the important part, the body, appears to be in fine condition. There is no mention of the trim and none of it is visible in the photos. It’s all available in reproduction except for maybe the quarter panel moldings. They are unique to a 150 and might be hard to find if not included.
All the sheet metal looks to be very straight. I see no rust in the usual places like quarters and rocker panels. The panel below the trunk lid is also highly susceptible to the rust worm but this one looks good.
This car has quarters to die for if they’re as good as they look in the photos. I like the fact that the paint is old and faded. If the metal was going to bust out in rust, it has had plenty of time to do so in the years since this paint was applied. Speaking of paint, the car was obviously white originally.
The hood looks as good as the rest of the body. I don’t like to see hoods stood on their corners, however. It can cause a bulge in the sheet metal just above the corners. I speak from experience.
The trunk lid looks good. I can see just enough of the doors to know they exist.
Considering that a reproduction body shell costs around twice the asking price of this car, do you think this is a good deal? What do you see for the future of this exceptional 150, a street machine, a high and mighty straight-axle gasser, a black widow clone, or maybe a stocker with a 283 and two fours?
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Comments
Cool car. These 150’s are probably the best representative of the 57 Chevy. I wouldn’t build a gasser, that hand has been overplayed. I’d build it like an old school stocker.
There is a guy and his son that race a couple of times a year with his 57 150 that he built in 1968. It still wearing its orange paint and decals that he applied then, it’s had a few updates such as a 5 speed and Cragar Super Tricks, but those are the latest visual upgrades to the car.
Steve R
Had a friend many years ago with one in Black. Totally stock appearance….until he started the engine.
That rumpity rump rumpity rump idle would shake your bones. Great car.
I see another Black Widow in this car’s future.
Big project and it looks solid enough to take a dive on a resto. My vision, set it up like an old Jr. Stock drag rig. Chrome reverse rims, a hot 327 with a 4 gear. Flat white headers are a must!