1957 Chevrolet Belair Convertible

When the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air arrived, Chevrolet enjoyed an all-new image practically overnight. Rather than a car driven mainly by dads and aunts, the sensationally-redesigned 'Motoramic' models quickly gained a reputation as "The Hot Ones". In this landmark first year for the cars that would one day be known by the moniker 'Tri-Five', Chevy finally had a bold response to Ford in the performance battle in a lively 265 cubic inch V-8 that would nurture a whole generation of muscular engines to come. Better yet, that V-8 was slipped into a fresh, contemporary body sporting a rakish beltline dip and an Italianate-inspired grille. Chief engineer Edward N. Cole earned credit for Chevrolet's first V-8 in 35 years. Simple in construction and economical to build, the 265 cubic inch Turbo-Fire was a model of efficiency. In basic trim, the V-8 delivered 162 horsepower, but an optional Plus-Power Package with dual exhausts hiked output to 180 horsepower.


As an icon of its age, the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air ranks right alongside Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Leave It to Beaver; certainly curious for a mass-market car in the last year of a three-year cycle. Nevertheless, these Chevys struck a chord that resonates to this day - even among those born long after the cars were built. What's hard to believe is that so many shoppers shunned Chevrolets back then, turning instead to restyled Fords. Chevy trailed Ford in model-year output by 170,000 cars and Plymouth rose to a close third. Not until years later was the 1957 Chevrolet lineup recognized by many as the sharpest Chevy of the decade - if not the make's full life span - as well as an engineering marvel in many regards.


Sure, the basic design was getting a little dated, but masterful reworking cleverly concealed the car's origins, making it look almost brand-new. Riding on new 14-inch rubber, Chevrolet stood 2.5 inches longer and 1.5 inches lower. Twin lance-shaped wind-splitting spears down the hood substituted for the customary ornament. Modest, if sharp, fins brought up the rear, at the time only a hint of things to come. Bel Airs came in seven models, wearing anodized aluminum trim panels on their rear body sides. In pastel shades, such as turquoise and white, a '57 convertible or Sport Coupe is enough to send shivers through many an enthusiast today, especially when it's loaded with a host of factory extras. Under the hood, customers could get anything from the long-lived six or 265-cubic-inch V-8, to half a dozen interpretations of the new, enlarged 283 cubic-inch engine. Some Bel Airs even carried fuel-injected V-8s for 1957, on loan from Corvette and whipping up as much as one horsepower per cubic inch; coming from an 'ordinary' passenger car, this was spectacular.





Finished in Matador Red over a white top and coordinating multi-tone red and silver interior, this comprehensively-restored 1957 Bel Air Convertible epitomizes the classic styling of the Tri-Five era. This very special car sports the most potent of the carbureted powerplants offered for this first year of the 283; the dual-quad solid-lifter small-block beneath the 'bat-wing' air cleaner produces a healthy 270 horsepower through a Powerglide automatic transmission. Optioned with a power top, radio, heater, spinner hubcaps and wide whitewall tires, this fabulous ragtop is not just a stunning restoration of an American icon, but a performer as well with plenty of performance that earns it its place in the top tier of desirable '57s.

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