Stored For 30 Years: 1957 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery
This beautifully 1957 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery was professionally restored by a Chevrolet dealer. It has remained in stunning condition since its restoration because it is located in Santa Rosa, California and spent much of its life since in storage. The seller will part with the car in exchange for $30,000. No mention of miles or VIN present in the listing, but they do claim the title to be clear. You can view more on Craigslist.
As mentioned above, this car has spent nearly 30 years in storage, which could have had some effect on the engine. However, after the seller inherited the vehicle in 2017, they proceeded to bring it up to roadworthiness. It has a 327 cubic inch V8 that is connected to a 4-speed manual transmission. They have installed new wiring, clutch, starter, and alternator. A note is made saying that the engine does burn oil.
Back in the ’80s, this car was frame-off restored. A Chevrolet dealer performed the restoration for a private collector who sold it not too long after. As you can see in the photos, the interior was given the royal treatment as well. Or maybe it is more race treatment. Either way, it is a great looking interior and does not look like it was redone over 30 years ago. Creating timeless cars is not easy, and this one accomplishes that.
The seller provides a few photos of the underside of the car. Those photos show a very rust free bottom and that is promising. Also noted is that the seller claims to have added a few period-correct parts to the car, but they do not specify what those parts are. Considering these cars are quite common, maybe not in this trim, it is always nice to see a well-done restoration. Will you be adding this car to your collection?
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Comments
Nice, yes. But “restored”? I’d say “no.”
Not saying I don’t like it, you understand. But if I was looking for a “restored” ’57 Chevy, this would not be on my list.
I like it. Nice looking street machine you can have some fun with.
Sedan deliveries have always been rare birds and entirely too many have been butchered. Another one bites the dust.
It’s not restored, it’s a street rod. And Mr. Bell the car’s not exactly butchered it could be actually restored if someone wanted to revert it back to original. Looks like a lot more fun right now to me tho.
I like it,but I would have retained the original side trim configuration. It definitely is not what I would consider as butchered, it could easily be returned to original.
I agree with you on the not being butchered part, but I’m pretty sure that it retains it’s original side trim judging by rest of the trim this is a 150.
…but, I would keep the 327. Excellent choice of power plant, IMHO. This is a nice car! Love it. Would definitely love to have it. But, same old story.
Had a buddy with one of these in high school, not as nice though. He could get a lot of stuff in the back end, esp girls, or so he said.
Seeing as how a sedan delivery was usually purchased by someone who needed it for work-related duties and it would more than likely have a hard life in store for it, a bare-bones model would probably be the preferred choice. Maybe someone with more knowledge would be able to tell us if you could order a ’57 sedan delivery in a higher trim level?
Sedan deliveries were indeed bare bones. They were only available in 150 trim, never 210 or Bel Air trim. In addition to the cheap trim level, unless you checked the option blanks they only came with a single driver-side bucket seat, one sun visor, no arm rests, no inside rear view mirror, and no radio, heater, or cigarette lighter.
Wow! That is bare bones. But, I still like this one….
Sedan deliveries in the tri-five years were only offered in 150 (the cheapest model) trim. The trim on this one is absolutely stock and original. The seats are not original, but they are very plain so somewhat in keeping with the original style. Chevrolet sedan deliveries were so bottom of the barrel, that they came with only one bucket seat for the driver, one sun visor, no arm rests, no inside rear view mirror, and of course no cigarette lighter, radio or heater. All of these items could be added (including a passenger side bucket seat or even a bench seat) but they would have been extra cost options.
Hey Craig,
I recognized your “Hoopty” here on Barn Finds. Good to see that you were a passionate custodian of this sedan delivery for all of these years. It really shows. As for the oil-burning, it is most likely due to the rings not having seated or worn in yet. This is “turn key” and ready to drive…see you at Fred’s 👍✌️
I last saw a nice decent running 1957 sedan delivery a few years ago in Kirkland Washington. It was painted orange. Only 8907 were made. It was parked outside a NAPA shop. I even got to to speak to the owner. I noticed a “utility vehicle“ (I think that’s what it was) listing right below the sedan delivery in the 150 series that had a slightly lower production figure. I’m not sure what those are.
Nice ride and the 327 and 4 speed is a nice upgrade to me!! It probably came with a 283 and a three speed on the column!! (If it was a standard) This is a little harder to find than a coupe or a wagon!! I wouldn’t do a thing to it but get in it and drive!! Someone will get a nice classic!!!
Back in 1973 I had a 2 door 150 handyman with a 283 4speed . Manual steering, manual brakes and vacuum wipers. Mine was a $100.00 car. My girl would snuggle up next to me on that big bench seat. One time we were cruising and I hit a bump and lost the transistor radio through a hole in the floor. Good times.
I wouldn’t change a thing. She’s beautiful the way she is.
The more I look at it the more I like a simple side strip that leads to the angled taillight trim. The usual ’57 side panel trim would overwhelm and draw the eye away from above the belt line, the point of this Rod. Too many straight lines on this one for a ’57 swoop. Just me.
If this doesn’t have an electric rear door, I am out.
considering this is a bare bones 57 chev that every thing was a extra price as above, no radio, heater, passenger seat! etc the oil burning most likely can be cured by replacing the valve stem seals which is a easy job with the right tools[ did lots of these at dads shop back in the day! we had a house painter who had 3 of these and the 55 he would paint a short stripe on the car to show the customer the color! he didn’t care! he called it a pile of junk which it was!