1957 Chevrolet Bel Air in Lithia Springs, Georgia

Vehicle Description

With one owner for the past 50 years, this handsome and very usable 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible is the right combination of good looks and usability. Finished in the most traditional of all '57 Chevy color combinations and powered by a venerable small block V8, there are few more iconic collector cars than the '57 Chevy convertible. Their rapidly escalating values are proof that even with a mass-produced car, the rules of supply and demand prevail. In short, EVERYONE loves '57 Chevys.

The paint is 20 years old, but since the same guy has been the caretaker for more than half a century, you know it's been well maintained. Paint and bodywork are quite nice, with just the right amount of gloss in the paint to make you believe it's 1957 all over again. Matador Red is THE 1957 color, so this car looks like the car you've been dreaming of for most of your life. Forget over-restored cars that sparkle like costume jewelry, this car is highly authentic-looking with crisp details and hasn't been over-dressed with add-ons like fender skirts and a continental kit. Sure there are some signs of use, but for a '57 Chevy that you can actually use and enjoy, it's ideal. From the wide grille and rubber-tipped "Dagmars," to the bright side panels that mark this as a Bel Air model, to the gold anodized V emblems front and rear that symbolize a V8 engine under the hood, all the little details are quite nicely done, but you'd better be ready to have a conversation every time you stop for gas.

After 50 years of care, it shouldn't be surprising that the interior has been recently restored. Both front and rear bench seats use correct patterns and materials, including the tufted buttons on the seat backs, and the door panels are like new. The dash is full of bright, crisp gauges, and the color-matched steering wheel shows no cracks or other damage. An original AM radio still lives in the dash and all the brightwork here is as nice as the stuff outside. Correct carpets are protected by a set of matching floor mats, while overhead there's a neatly fitted white power convertible top that looks almost new and includes a matching red boot. The trunk is correctly restored with a rubber mat, bias-ply spare tire, and proper jack assembly.

In the late 1960s when this was just a used car, the original 283 was replaced with a rebuilt 350, and that's what still lives under the hood today. Resto-mods and crate motors didn't exist back then, so all the original accessories were reused, although there's an Edelbrock intake manifold and 4-barrel carburetor to perk things up a bit. Performance is lively with great V8 sounds and a healthy burble from the dual tailpipes that exit under the rear bumper. The original generator is still making electricity and power steering was tucked in underneath using a Saginaw setup. There's also a later dual reservoir master cylinder for safety. Underneath, the chassis is clean and ready to show, with a 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission driving the original rear end. Red oxide primer on the floors is how they were built originally, and it rolls on a set of wide whitewall radials with spinner hubcaps.

'57 Chevys seem recession-proof, with prices that remain rock-solid. This one could be considered a smart investment, and its current condition is a testament to the quality of the care it has received for the past five decades. Call today!