1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210 Additional Info:

I made a mistake with the VIN# on the previous sale. Rather then waiting for a misunderstanding to occur, ended the sale and am starting it over again, eflecting the correct VIN# according to the title and door post. Too much damn coffee....

This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air belongs to the most dedicated Belair fan I have met. The car was originally purchase after an extensive search for the exact model with correct drivetrain and equipment and exhaustively restored for participating in the Great Race in 2007 I was invited to drive the car before we took it on for sale which took me back almost 50 years ago when my best buddy had the drivetrain in a 63 wagon. It drove even better then I remember, specially the “3 on the Tree” and V8 engine. It is time gone for ever, omething most people today do not even remember or have the chance to experience. It is great.

I normally do extensive research and composing when we get a new bike or car for the shop. The owner supplied me with this incredible write up which I knew I could not better or come close to expressing the love and condition of the car. Below is the text of his story. Only he could have said it better, ut I am not sure how it would be in improved to anyone interested in the history of how this car came to us for sale. We have tons of receipts for the parts and labor that was paid for, complete history on a thumb drive of the restoration and participation in the great race. Read on as written by Les:

- “Purchased 1995 after almost 2 years of searching for the right 57 Chevy to restore. Without the internet we only had word of mouth, ewspapers, emmings, nd some trader mags. I had sales reps in every major city in the US and had them watching for me. Critical features included:

Original equipment, ondition variableV8, tick, verdrive highly desired, olor preferred white, ed, lackMinimal rust and repairableUnder $20k

- Found this car with the help of a LA Sales rep in Ventura California. Belonged to a doctor who had the interior redone as well as some body work and lacquer paint. He did not do any mechanical work.

- The car had 92,000 original miles on it and everything I looked at appeared original, ncluding shocks, ushings, prings, adiator, heels, tc. Only wear items had been changed such as generator, attery, uel pump, ater pump, ufflers, ires, tc. It was nice from 25 feet, ut up close had many paint scratches from car washes (yes he did, nd admitted it), nd some door dings. The engine started and ran perfectly, ut it drove like a tank. The clutch chattered badly. The suspension shook with every bump. And the brakes were marginal at best. He admitted he only took it to local car shows on weekends and never drove it out of town. I don’t blame him. I bought it for $15,800 as I recall and had it shipped to my Minnesota home and heated workshop.

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- Over the next year and a half, lifted the body off of the frame and set aside (Since the interior and paint were pretty good, focused on the mechanical which had been ignored), nd tore everything down to the bare frame. The engine was set aside for later work.

- The frame was sent out to a shop to check alignment since there was possible evidence it had been rear ended at some point (the cross member just in front of the rear bumper had a wrinkle in it. (Could have been from a jack, ut not sure). Frame check out good, o it was bead blasted and emron coated.

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- While frame work was being done, inventoried everything that needed replaced and ordered them, dentified everything to restore and ordered material and/or tools needed for the job, rdered factory assembly guides, ccessory guides, estoration guides, udging guides, did I mention I am and engineer??) found local clubs and individuals who helped guide me through some of the undocumented perils that was awaiting me.

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- Every part was either restored or replaced as original. Fasteners and wire dressings were done per the assembly manual. Markings on springs, rame, ifferential, tc were as noted in the assembly manual and judging manual.

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- All new brake lines and cylinders were used so I installed silicone fluid rather than conventional brake fluid. This is for two main reasons;

These original master cylinders are known to seep fluid from the back side and frequently cause paint peeling around the bottom of the unit on the firewall. Silicone is not corrosive and does not do that, ven if it does leak.Silicone is not hydroscopic, o it does not carry moisture in it to corrode brake lines and wheel cylinders as the car sits, s regular brake fluid does.

As a result, he brake system is clean today, ith no corrosion or paint peeling on the firewall. Also, he brakes work great (as far as drum brakes go).

- After the car was completed in the spring of 1997, t won best of show in the annual 3M sponsored classic show in St. Paul, innesota (my employer). This was my goal.

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- I was later transferred to Austin, X where the car continued to win best in class and best in show in most every entry.

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- In 2003 we relocated to Denver, olorado and continued to enjoy great attention with many awards for best in class, est paint, an favorites, rivers favorites, tc.

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- In 2006, was determined to find a way to celebrate the 50 anniversary of this 57 Chevy in 2007. After having watched the Great Race come through Colorado in 2005 and 2006, decided that the 2007 Great Race was the perfect way to demonstrate the greatness and iconoclastic image of the 57 Chevy.

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- For most of 2006 I stripped the car apart again for a new mechanical restoration. The first restoration was as a show car. This time, t would have to survive a 4000 mile cross country Time-Speed-Distance rally in the middle of summer in the hottest part of the US, n back roads over a two week period. This called for some tighter tolerances and closer looks at many mechanical parts.

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- The rules for Great Race were that the cars had to be 45 years old or older and be in original condition. Modifications available during the year of manufacture were allowed if acknowledged. Additional modifications were allowed if petitioned for and approved. These included seat belts, isc brakes, nd other potential safety items. I only opted for seat belts, modern battery rather than the 50’s tar top type, nd wide white wall radial tires. All were approved.

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- Everything that moved was inspected and improved if possible. The engine was tore down again with new rings, earings, rank turned, nd heads rebuilt with chrome exhaust valve seats so we could use unleaded gas without additives. The carb had been jetted for high altitude in Denver so low altitude jets were installed with high altitude jets taken for times when the race would take us above 6000 feet.

- My neighbor Cory was to be my navigator so we laid out a practice course in the country and practice almost daily for a couple of months (as much for the car as for us). To be honest, he car did much better than the two of us.

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- In June of 2007 we assembled our team of two top notch mechanics and a teenager in a 29’ motor home (the motorhome was on loan to us by the parents of the teenager). They hooked up my car hauler with the Chevy aboard in Denver and headed to Charlotte, C for the start of the race. Cory and I caught a plane a week later with our wives for the start.

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- The day before the start, he Great Race had us on Charlotte Motor Speedway for hot laps and press pictures. 78 cars were in the event. They let 12 of us on the track at a time. Cory and I got into a heated race with an early 60’s Corvette 327 and had a ball with him. He pretty much stayed ahead of us, ut could not shake us. We had overdrive, e did not. He hit red line, e did not. We were very big, e was not….

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- We ran the whole race with absolutely no problems. There were winners every day. 1st, nd, nd 3rd place for rookies and veterans. We were rookies. We won 3 first place days, second, nd 1 3rd place. For the whole race we came in 4th behind another 57 Chevy by just a few 1/100’ds of a second and missed some big money in the rookie class. We came in 35 out of the entire 78 field, ncluding veterans, o we felt very good.

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- The car did great. The race officials let us install electric fans in front of our radiators for the trip across the desert in 100 degree heat, o we put one on. It helped a lot, o we never over heated. Many did. Many cars dropped out too.

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- During July 4 in Ft Worth, X we had the day off and since my mechanics hadn’t done anything so far except wash and clean the car every morning (which was great though), decided we should change the rear axle bearings as one was beginning to growl a bit. Truth be known, t would have been fine for the rest of the race, ut we had to do something. So that kept them busy for the day.

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- After the finish and celebrations, he guys put the Chevy back on the car hauler and took her back to Denver. I am still in awe of this car, s was everyone else on the race. It was a beauty and ran like lightning. People in towns we went through loved it and loved hearing the pipes as I gunned the engine. They also cheered at the random second gear patch I laid.

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- Since the race in 2007, he car only got used for car shows and spent its time in my climate controlled shop. I tinkered with it almost every weekend and participated in many classic events and fund raisers. It has always had the best of care.

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- In late 2013 I retired to southern Oregon and realized it may be time to let someone else take the wheel, iterarily. Our retirement home has no shop, o climate control, o car lift, ust a two car garage. Not a good environment for a 56 year old car.

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- So I began another restoration. This time cosmetic, s the mechanicals are still perfect. I did replace shocks and went through brakes to be sure it was safe, ut other than that, ith less than 1000 miles since the Great Race, t was still in great condition. But the paint had suffered a bit during the race and we discovered some flaws, o into paint it went. During that time I removed much of the chrome for restoration or replacement. Detailed the interior and undercarriage. The engine compartment needed a little attention so it was cleaned up and detailed.

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- I have both original bias ply 7.50/14 wide white wall Coker tires on it (with original 57 Chevy wheels) as well as the set of 215R/75/14 Radial wide white wall Coker tires (also on original 57 Chevy wheels) to go with the car.

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- I’ve converted the oil filter from the old canister type to a spin on filter for ease of oil change. The original canister assembly is in the trunk and can easily be put back if desired.

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- I also converted the original Delco generator to a PowerGen alternator which is made to look just like the original generator but is a one wire alternator. It mounts on the same mounts and looks the same. The original generator is in the trunk. The standard Voltage Regulator is not used with an alternator so it is bypassed but is still there and is new, o the original generator can be easily installed and hooked back up with the wires that are still there and be operational in minutes if desired.

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- I’ve also installed a magnetic pickup in the distributor to eliminate the points. The original points are also in the trunk if a new owner is a masochist.

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- The radiator was recored with 3 rows of down-tubes rather than the standard 2 rows. Still standard tanks on top and bottom.

- Front suspension bushings are neoprene rather than rubber. Much better.

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- Front and rear shocks are gas. Painted to look like original shocks.

- Under dash 3 gauge pack of oil pressure, emperature, nd voltage, re my obsession with knowing what is going on rather than depending on red lights to tell me when it’s too late. Can be easily removed for a more sane person… Warning lights all work as well as gas gauge.

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- This car runs like a top. Over-drive is wonderful and can be kicked out by a switch on the carb linkage when floored for passing (factory installed option).

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- AM radio works, lock works (mechanism replaced with electric movement but still stock face and hands), urn signals work and cancel, riginal horns work, ll lights work.

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- Entire electrical harness has been replaced with new bulb sockets and ignition. Fuse panel still stock.

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- Deluxe heater works great. Electric wipers work great. Windshield washer only for show. Will not work.

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- The car looks best with the bias ply tires installed but rides and handles much better with the radials on. Bias for show, adials for go.

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- Battery new in October 2015

- Carb rebuilt Sept 2015

- All rubber hosing replaced with original GM logo hoses in Oct 2015

- Cooling system flushed and filled Oct 2015

- Paint refreshed Oct 2015 (finished) two stage base/clear

- Transmission and Differential lube changed/filled 80/90w Oct 2015

- Oil/filter changed Oct 2015

- Paint buffed and polymer polished Oct 2015

The full restoration was done almost 20 years ago by the current owner. It has been carefully maintained and refreshed twice since then. Surviving and winning segments of the Great Race is testament of the durability of the restoration and the quality of work and parts put into the car. You could enter this car in the very next Great Race and the car will be ready to go. Or take it on a cross country tour of the US on your own. Wait till you see the reaction of the people you come across. Or you could spend a bit more time and money and take it back to a full show level with minimal effort. I’ve enjoyed it for 20 years and am happy to pass it on for the next owner to do the same.”

Miles showing are 1,148 and the VIN# is VC57J214482. For more images send us your e-mail address and I will forward them on to you. The car is available for inspection 9-5, onday through Friday at Automania, 95 SE Gladiola Drive, rants Pass, R 97526, 41 479 8888, regon Dealer DA1287.

If you do not have at least 10 positive feedbacks, lease do not bid without contacting me first or your bid will be cancelled or blocked. We do not discuss reserve amounts unless the vehicle does not sell. This vehicle is available for sale at our retail place of business and we reserve the right to end this sale early if it is sold. Ebay has very strict rules about links to a separate site which we do operate.

We accept collected funds only and for the amount of the sale. A $1000 deposit must be made within two days of the end of the sale through Paypal or other means of collected funds. We offer a 7 day grace period after this Ebay sale closes to inspect the vehicle yourself and if it is not to your liking, full refund of the deposit will be made. There will be no questions asked, fter your inspection at our shop, f you do not like the vehicle. Payment is due in full after 7 days. The vehicle cannot be picked up until funds have cleared or prior arrangements have been completed.

Shipping quotes should be from 97526 Grants Pass, regon to where you are. Please, o not use fly by night shippers. We try to offer clean vehicles honestly and to see some loon strapping a car, ike or motor home to an open trailer with bald tires is heart breaking. I can assist the shippers, ut that will have to be ordered and paid for by the winning bidder. We cannot accept personal checks. If you have any questions, lease e-mail me before bidding and I will do everything I can to answer your questions. Thanks and good luck.