Highly-Optioned 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

This 3-owner 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air was originally delivered to DeAnza Chevrolet of Riverside, California with an MSRP of $2,299. After being with the first owner for 25 years, it was sold to a couple in the early 1980s. Shortly after the sale, the Super Turbo-Fire 283ci V8, Powerglide automatic transmission, and independent coil spring front and live rear suspensions were rebuilt. A year later, the car was put through an eight year frame-off restoration using NOS parts. It comes with its original body panels refinished in the correct two-tone color combination of a Harbor Blue body and Larkspur Blue roof and features polished chrome and stainless trim, gold accents, Coker Classic whitewalls, and a continental kit. The blue vinyl and black fabric interior was redone by Cooks Top Shop and comes equipped with a padded dash, power front bench seat, power steering, power brakes, and power windows as well as a Wonder Bar radio, rear center speaker, electric clock, air conditioning, a traffic light viewer, an illuminated compass, Autronic Eye automatic high beams, foot-operated windshield washer, vacuum ashtray, and a parking brake signal. The car went to its third owner in 2014 and is now being offered on consignment. Recent maintenance includes the power steering and air conditioning systems being rebuilt, the transmission being resealed, and the master cylinder being replaced with a new old stock (NOS) unit. This final-year "Tri-Five" Chevrolet comes with a reproduction window sticker, a NOS tool kit, Dupont paint swatches, an owner's manual and related documents, a brochure, retro-inspired literature with a commemorative box, the Summer 1998 issue of Chevy Classics magazine that it was featured in, and a clear title.

As part of the frame-off restoration process in the 1980s, all of the paint was stripped from the car, and any dents and dings were hammered out. The rust-free exterior was then refinished in the original combination of Larkspur Blue for the roof and Harbor Blue for the body. Brightwork highlights several areas, including the hood ornaments, front bumper with guards and rubber cushions, side mirror housings, greenhouse, body sides, rocker panels, tailfins, and rear bumper with integrated reverse lights and a body-color continental kit. Gold accents are located on the nose, fenders, quarter panels, trunk lid, and continental kit. Features include electric windshield wipers, door edge guards, rear deck lid molding, a locking gas cap on the driver's side, a manual antenna, and a power antenna.

The 14-inch body-color wheels with chrome covers and three-blade spinners are set inside of Coker Classic whitewall tires. The continental kit contains a body-color wheel wrapped in a whitewall tire.

Cooks Top Shop installed a new interior consisting of blue vinyl and black fabric front and rear bench seats and matching door panels. Color-coordinated carpeting with Chevy-branded black rubber floor mats covers the floor. A body-color pad covers the dashboard, which is fitted with the Autronic Eye automatic high beams sensor, traffic light viewer, and illuminated compass. A metallic mesh trim panel on the face of the dashboard surrounds the controls for the headlights, wipers, ignition, electric clock, and Wonder Bar radio, which is connected to the speaker in the rear parcel shelf.  The body-color lower section of the dashboard is equipped with a parking brake warning light, a vacuum ashtray and receptacle, controls for the air conditioning and climate system, a locking glove box, and a tissue dispenser box. Other conveniences include power steering, power brakes, power windows, power front seat controls, and a vacuum-based, foot-operated windshield washer. According to the selling dealer, the power steering system was recently rebuilt and given new lines, gaskets, and o-rings. The air conditioning system was also rebuilt, a process that involved the cables being replaced with nylon-lined sleeves and the baffles in the distribution boxes being rebuilt and equipped with new gaskets. In addition, it was recharged with R12 refrigerant in January of this year. The body-color trunk area contains a rubber floor liner, a factory jack, and a tool kit.

The Larkspur Blue 2-spoke steering wheel has a full horn ring connected to a third-note horn and sits in front of the matching main instrument panel, which includes a gear selection indicator, a 120-mph speedometer, and gauges for the coolant temperature and fuel level. The 5-digit odometer shows 4,993 miles, but true mileage is unknown. 

The refinished engine bay houses a Super Turbo-Fire (a.k.a. “Power Pack”) 283ci V8, which was rebuilt along with the Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission shortly after the car was purchased by its second owner. The engine is equipped with a 4-barrel carburetor and a snorkel-style air cleaner housing. A new old stock (NOS) power brake master cylinder is located at the upper right of the engine compartment. Recent maintenance includes an oil and filter change within the last 500 miles and the transmission being resealed. The selling dealer states that the car starts easily, the gearbox shifts properly, and the driveline does not have any issues.

The brakes were recently bled and fitted with stainless steel cylinder inserts/sleeves to prevent leaks as well as new lines and shoes with a softer compound for improved stopping capability. According to the selling dealer, the brakes and suspension function as they should and the brakes operate symmetrically. Several pictures showing the condition of the underbody, including the dual exhaust system and the front and rear suspensions rebuilt under previous ownership, are available in the photo gallery.

A reproduction window sticker, a tool kit, Dupont paint swatches, an owner's manual and related documents, a brochure, retro-inspired literature with a commemorative box, and the Summer 1998 issue of Chevy Classics magazine that the car was featured in will be included with the sale. The selling dealer has posted a comprehensive video and a road test video below.