Parked For 30 Years: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
After more than half a century in the same family, this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible is looking for a new garage to call home, with the seller thinking that it could be turned into a decent driver with a bit of work. He also says it needs a total restoration, so let’s take a look and see where this iconic droptop stands in the way of condition. The owner mentions that the Chevy was appraised in January at $45,895, but by who we don’t know. This cool ’57 is in Waterloo, Missouri, and can be found here on Craigslist, where the asking price has been set at $35,000. Zappenduster, thanks for your excellent tip here!
There’s not much remaining of the original drivetrain, as in the early nineties a Chevy Throttle Body Injection, or TBI engine was installed. Although details of the swap are vague, some GM enthusiasts love these motors, but the seller tells us the car was parked shortly after the installation, and the computer and wiring are lying loosely in the bay. Around the same time, a 700R4 transmission was also put in, an automatic that went into production during the early eighties and has a reputation for ruggedness. However, it has been non-operational for quite a few decades as well, so the next owner will have to decide to either make do with what’s there or yank these components and replace them with something that might be considered more at home for a tri-five application.
For the most part, the body seems reasonably straight and complete, with the only specific areas of rot mentioned confined to the lower rocker panels near the back. It’s also positive that this one’s a Bel Air, so it’s got a higher level of trim than the similar 150 and 210 models. To have been parked for some thirty years, the storage conditions must have been favorable, as most of the exterior remains in better shape than I’d expect for a car that’s been hibernating for such a long period. There’s hardly any canvas left on the top, but the frame appears OK and functional.
Things aren’t looking as good inside, as those seats are a complete mess, and the door panels are also way past their prime. There’s a possibility the dash could be refurbished using many of the same components, but that’s only speculation, as no information is provided on whether all of the gauges are still functioning. It’s a big step to go from saying this ’57 could be driven as-is with a little work to it needing a total restoration, but different mindsets help keep the hobby interesting and exciting. Would you just do the minimum here and enjoy driving this one for a while, or is it a better choice to go ahead and completely restore this 1957 Bel Air immediately?
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Comments
It’s definitely rough, as well as a little sketchy mechanically, but the tri-five convertible’s having been bringing big money for quite a while. I wouldn’t pay the price of admission, but it is not out the realm of what these things bring. Hope some gets it and does right by it.
An odd choice of drivetrain. Performance should be equal to a cargo van.
Asking way to much no one is going to pay that much for a car that will cost that much or more to restore.
Price is steep, but if the body is as rock solid as it looks in those pictures, you will already be saving probably $20K from not having to buy replacement metal and pay all the hourly body shop fees that would be needed for the rust repairs on most 57 convertibles that have been off the road that long.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But when there’s a lack of photos and the price is pushing $50,000. What do you call that?. I’d say a big gamble. It never ceases to amaze me how many people will ask big money for their car but not include a variety of photos that at least show the underbody, close up of the doors, chrome, etc. The Good thing is that new and used parts are easy to get for these cars. So restoration should be easy enough to do. But considering how much parts and labour cost these days and not knowing what lays hidden underneath all that grime. I’d probably take that money and use it towards one that is already done. Probably cheaper in the long run
I agree with you 100%, but like I said earlier, convertible tri-fives have been getting crazy money for quite a while. I remember clear back in ’79 or ’80, a car builder that I knew bought a ’57 drop top that was way rougher than this one for $5000, and I told him he was nuts. I can clearly hear him saying, “these things are going to be worth a small fortune someday” It didn’t make any sense to me then, and it doesn’t make any sense to me now. What has happened to the “collector car” market is pure insanity. (As a point of reference, I bought a ’56 Bel Aire convertible in ’66 for $300.)
Appraiser, must be thinking in Pesos! Divide that by 20. One Peso is .05 USD. Offer $1,750!
Only the BelAir model was available as a convertible and the hood has no ‘V’ indicating a 6 cyl car originally (even though the trunk lid does have a ‘V’). Further evidence of a six appears to be the radiator mounted in front of the cross bar as would be the case for 6 cyl cars. The VIN would tell the tale definitively. Lots of potential, but as others have noted, the cost to restore this example will be substantial.
Agree, VIN is needed to be sure. But the hood does have the 3 holes in it for the V emblem. So looks like it was snatched by whomever snatched the Bel Air scripts off the quarters …
The VIN is shown in the ad. I ran the VIN and it’s a V8.
In 1953 a 210 convertible was available. Might have been a 1954 210 also as it was little changed from the 53. Relative owned one in the late 60s.Very few built.
What an opportunity to build a ’57 convertible to your liking! As said, it won’t be cheap, but would be a fun project for the right person with a great result to enjoy.
I have an period correct 283 and auto trans that would slot right in,$900.00. Anyone, anyone???
I have a NOS 270hp 283 that would go in that