1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop
This is a very nice example of one of the most popular classic car ever made. There are two models of the 57 Chevy which are the most desirable: The Bel Air Convertible and the Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop (officially called the Bel Air Sport Coupe).
This example is more of a well preserved specimen than a recent frame off restoration. It has about 70,000 original miles and has the original engine. The engine is the highly desirable 283 cubic inch Power Pak (4-barrel carburetor and duel exhaust system). Rated at 220 horsepower, this was the one that all of the teenaged boys (and their fathers) wanted. It has the factory original power steering (something you want because we are all spoiled by this feature being standard for the last 30 years or so).
I want to go over the car, system by system to tell you what it has, what it doesn’t have and to list any known defects. I have driven the car for several months to try to identify all of the problems I can. I have bought three 1957 Chevys through the years and all have had problems that the seller did not reveal.
First of all there are few, if any, 50 year old cars that are not to some degree “Project Cars.” They all have some issues and if they don’t, wait a while and they will develop some. Cars were not made to last 50 years. Really, they want you to trade them in about every 3 years when things start going wrong.
There are a few 57 Chevys that are near perfect and they have prices of $75,000 to $225,000. So, if you have that kind of money to spend on a classic car, you will not be interested in this one. It is not even close to perfect.
Engine and Drive Train:
283 cubic inch V-8 with Carter 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust. Mufflers look to me like the classic glass packs that we all wanted in the fifties for that mellow V-8 sound. Engine starts and runs well. The distributor looks original. We can hope that there may be an electronic ignition hidden under the distributor cap, but I doubt it.
Transmission is a Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 to replace the original Powerglide. This is a definite upgrade. These transmissions are among the world’s most popular and reliable and can handle much more powerful engines than this one without breaking a sweat.
Drive shaft and differential are stock originals, to the best of my knowledge.
Issues: Leaks in the front and back. I believe that there is a minor oil leak from the engine (expected at this age and will eventually start again if you choose to have gaskets and seals replaced) and a leak from the power steering system. Leak in the back is probably from the Companion Flange Oil Seal. I believe that all of these are typical for cars this age.
Brakes:
Original drum brakes on all wheels. The alloy wheels have blue inserts that look like disk brakes are present. Breaking system just gone over by Brake Check. They did a rebuild on the parking/emergency braking system and checked/adjusted the regular brakes.
Steering:
Steering wheel is not original. It is from an Impala, a model that did not come out until 1958. My guess is that this one is from a 58 or 59. It has the original power steering system. The steering box shows its age by expected free-play. There is a leak, probably from the power cylinder or the control valve. It is not something that I would choose to fix at this time. I have had 57 Chevys without power steering—believe me, you want it! All of the upper control arm, lower control arm and Pitman arm (Idler arm) bushings were replaced by Brake Check in mid-November 2007.
Electrical:
It has a new battery. The generator works well (modern alternators work better as they charge at idle speeds while generators do not). The generator is made to power the hydraulic pump for the power steering which extends from it. The lights all seem to work well. It just passed a state safety inspection. The windshield wiper is electric, not vacuum powered.
Tires/Wheels/Trunk:
Modern alloy wheels and near-new tires. The spare is on a steel wheel and the tire looks new. It has a bumper jack that is similar to original equipment. I would not use such a jack as the bumpers on these cars are very valuable and bumper jacks are unreliable and dangerous at best! The spare is much wider than original equipment, so the device to hold down the spare using the base of the jack and a wing nut doesn’t work well.
Exterior:
I believe that the paint is a metallic version of one of the original colors for 57 Chevys—Harbor Blue. The paint looks great from a distance. Close inspection shows some flaws. The body is straight to my eye. I believe that this car has escaped any major accidents. I don’t see signs of any patch work on this car, but again, I am not an expert. The cowl tag is painted over, but my investigation tells me that the original colors for this car were India Ivory over Colonial Cream (in other words, white over yellow). The gas tank fill has an issue. You have to fill by hand and do it slowly to prevent automatic shut off and splash back. I suspect a problem with the gas tank vent system. The trunk is missing the parts to the alignment kit. This is the simple little ball-like projection from an extension that attaches to the trunk lid just to the passenger side of the latch. This does not seem to affect the trunk operation which appears perfectly normal to me.
Bright work:
Most of the chrome is new or re-chromed. Exceptions are the tail light housings which show minor pitting. The stainless steel trim is in good to excellent condition. The inserts of the tail fins appear new.
Twin radio antennas are present with the diver’s side being functional and the passenger side being a dummy. This was the way that Chevy dealers installed them.
Glass:
Mostly good to excellent. The driver’s side back seat side window has some cracks. It works fine and it barely shows.
The window flippers do not function perfectly. Few do.
Interior:
Restored in an original type with colors to match the exterior paint. Good condition. Fuzzy Dice match the exterior paint scheme. Dash is in good condition. Instruments are in good condition. As noted above, the steering wheel is from an Impala. Two modern lap belts added for your safety and enjoyment. (Not original type, which are not available.)
Issues not noted above:
Cowl tag over painted (you can read it, but that is poor form!)
Spark plug wires not original design
Accessories/Options:
Deluxe heater (any heater was an option—go figure!)
AM/FM/Cassette Radio, modern (Only AM, tube type, radios were available as original equipment and were an option)
Floor mats, front and back (these are the expensive ones with the Bel Air logo, modern)
Clock
Tissue dispenser
283 cubic inch V-8 Engine
Super Turbofire engine option (Power Pak-4 barrel carburetor and dual exhausts)
Oil filter (yes, this was extra!)
Power steering
Dual antennas
Front seat belts (not original type as they are not available and would not pass today’s DOT standards).
Shields, door handle
Arm rests
Electric wind shield wiper (works so much better than the standard vacuum powered unit!)