1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Door Hardtop
""Bel Air is an affluent, exclusive, and primarily residential neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, renowned for its large estates, stunning views, and privacy. It's nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, bordering Brentwood, Westwood, and Beverly Hills. Founded in 1923 by Alphonzo E. Bell, Sr., it's known for its celebrity residents and high priced real estate."" Thx susansmithrealty.com
For consignment, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 door hardtop showing 23,975 miles, but the true miles are unknown due to a PA title exemption. This car was subject to one repaint and has a newer interior.
Exterior
Gold trim and the aluminum wedge insert alone put this car on a pedestal others can only aspire to. Now add stunning Matador Red and India Ivory and you have a stunner of a show car. The inclusion of 14-inch wheels with proper covers and white wall tires is the go to choice here, and the wheel covers pick up on the extensive stainless trim on the side and around the windows, including the round edges of the curved front and rear glass. Wrap around chrome bumpers create visual bookends on a profile that stands tall and glistens under our lights. The back of the car is instantly recognizable with half moon tail lights at the base of the fins flanking a smooth and wide decklid while the front retains hood torpedoes and Dagmar bumpers. The front is classic '57 with the telltale gold grille that signifies the top trim. Needless to say, the whitish wedge is the perfect complement to the white roof, or is it the other way around? Imperfections here include crazing throughout, orange peel, dull spots, general inclusions, scuffs, scratches, chips, filler, arching scratch on the windshield, dinging of some stainless, rust on the chrome bumper, and light pitting on some metal.
Interior
Red and black make up the interior palette where cobblestone cloth sandwiches a red band on the door panel followed by a solid black footer panel, clean, artful, and giving that welcome vintage feel. Cobblestone inserts on red seats adorn the split bench up front and full bench in the back, both with button accenting on the uppers, and sidewalls are coordinated all the way around and in excellent shape. The red steering wheel shows some patina and in front, a well designed dash presents with minimal gauges, metallic knobs, and lots of curves, lines, and trim. The perforated mid panel also houses an AM radio and a clock flanking the gold Bel Air emblem. Black carpet covers the floor and the red headliner shows a touch of staining but is intact. The clean trunk is covered with a fitted rubber mat and houses a red spare.
Drivetrain
A pleasantly clean engine bay is home to the date correct 283ci V8, rated at 220 horsepower and fueled through a 4-barrel carburetor. It's mated to the Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission that routes power to 3.36 gears at the rear axle.
Undercarriage
Patina and oxidation aside, this is a clean underside where we do note some patching on the inner rocker panels. The dual exhaust runs through chambered mufflers and terminates behind the rear bumper. Drum brakes are at each corner and suspension consists of coil springs in front and leaf springs in back.
Drive-Ability
The clean interior is a nice place from which to start our drive and the 283 fires up without issue and carries this big red car around the test loop with eager power underfoot. Simple construction leads to high functionality scores, and other than the heater blower and radio not working, all other operations do. We also note the wipers stop mid swipe and the car pulls right upon braking. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
This one is so close to show winning status. Yes, it's going to need paint to get there, but it's drivable as it sits today and if you don't want to maintain the colors it left the Janesville, Wisconsin plant with, think of the variety of cool paint colors that are available to us today! Regardless, this is the ultimate classic American car with all the right boxes checked.
VC57J227474
V-V8
C-2400 Series
57-1957
J-Janesville, WI Assy Plant
227474-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 57 1037D-1957 BelAir/210 2 Door Hardtop
BODY J12992-Janesville Body #
TRIM 676-Red & Vinyl & Cloth
PAINT 819D-India Ivory & Matador Red
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your states titling and registration process.
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