Lot 213

Arizona 2017

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 'Fuel-Injected' Convertible

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$99,000 USD | Sold

United States | Phoenix, Arizona

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Chassis No.
VC57L139902
  • America’s favorite collector car
  • 250-brake horsepower fuel injection engine
  • Show-quality restoration

250 bhp, 283 cu. in. OHV V-8 engine, three-speed manual transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs, and power hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 115 in.

In the 1950s, American car designs typically ran in three-year cycles. Usually, by the third year of a design, the car was in need of freshening. The 1957 Chevy, however, has been the exception that disproved the rule. Changes from 1956 lowered the whole car through a combination of smaller wheels and body modifications, and the nose and tail were updated with Cadillac cues, resulting in what some call a “baby Eldorado.” The V-8 was bored an eighth of an inch to 283 cubic inches, available in six stages of tune. At the top of the chart was the Corvette V-8 with 10.5:1 compression, whose Rochester fuel injection developed the magic one horsepower per cubic inch. Four-speed transmissions had yet to reach Chevrolet’s passenger car option list, so the sole transmission choice for this engine was a column-shifted heavy-duty three-speed.

Although Ford marginally outsold Chevrolet for the 1957 model year, it’s the “five-seven” that has stolen the hearts of the collector community. There’s a broad consensus that despite its status as an “old design,” the ’57 Chevy is just right in that it looks as fresh today as it did 55 years ago.

This 1957 “fuelie” convertible was the subject of a correct, frame-off restoration to show-quality standards by well-respected experts Legendary Motorcars of Milton, Ontario, Canada. The option list is short: a pushbutton AM radio, whitewall tires with spinner hubcaps, E-Z-Eye tinted glass, heater-defroster, and a dashboard clock. The odometer shows fewer than 600 miles since restoration. Beautiful in black, with a red and white interior, the car has a superbly straight body and exhibits extraordinary panel fit. The black convertible top fits well. A clean and highly detailed engine compartment and equally impressive undercarriage complement the outstanding exterior.

The car comes with reproduction copies of the owner’s handbook and manual for the top.

An excellent example of one of America's favorite collector cars, it is ready to delight a new owner on the concours field or on the open road with the top down.