PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE ENTIRE AUCTION AND AGREEMENT BEFORE PLACING YOUR BID 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-DR Sedan
1-Original Georgia Owner Until October 2015
Rust Free and Never Wrecked
I Reserve the Right to End this Listing Early
Call or Text… 706-831-1899
I first found the 57 for sale in October of 2015 in Gibson, GA., a small town about 40 miles South of me. It was owned at that time by “THE” original owner who had bought the car new in 1957 at the local dealership, R.M. Coleman Chevrolet. I arranged a time to meet the owner at the old Chevy dealership… the very one he had purchased the car from 58 years earlier!
I was excited about the possibility of getting this 1-owner 57 Bel Air, and I arrived early to meet the man. It wasn’t long until he came rolling up in the 57. I bought the car, took some pictures of us shaking hands in front of the old Chevrolet building… loaded the car onto my trailer and headed home.
The 57 was original including the drivetrain, the GM all factory body, and the interior was original however it had seat covers over the original worn seat covers. It had been re-painted once in the 70’s and the paint was showing its age. The car started up first time every time and it ran and drove great. I made a video of the car running on the day I got her home and that video is posted on my YouTube channel if you want to look.
The following day I called my long-time mechanic to come and discuss plans with me as to what I wanted to do mechanically with the car. As we were talking (and as he was looking the 57 over), I noticed a look come upon his face that I hadn’t seen before… and I’ve known him for many years. Suddenly, he looked up at me square in the eyes and simply said “I want to buy this one for myself”. As you can imagine that evoked a myriad of emotions in me, as I really didn’t want to sell it to him as I had great plans for the car. Reluctantly, I agreed to sell him the car for a small profit with the stipulation that if he ever decided to sell it, that I would have the first shot. I sold it to him and figured that would be the end of it. That was 5 years ago… Due to circumstances, I was able to buy the car back from him a couple of weeks ago.
Past 5 Years: the car was stripped to the bare metal (all old paint removed); and then painted in its factory color Canyon Coral/India Ivory. It is a single stage paint and it has not been buffed; however, it looks pretty good like it is. This is not a concours high dollar and flawless paint… I would consider it a great local show and driver quality. He put wider wheels on the car and used the original factory slotted hubcaps with spinner center caps added. He also installed new tinted side glass (including the quarter windows), and new window felts and tracks. The rear window cranks were shimmed so they couldn’t be rolled down. He didn’t want the glass to get scratched… if you want to remove the shim screws, the rear side panels will have to come off to get to it. I have the fender skirts however they were not painted (still from previous paint).
The original factory born factory “green” painted 265ci V8 suffix code “C” engine came out of the car for rebuild. The block was stripped down and sent to the machine shop. While that block was out, he decided to put a 350/300hp motor that he had just built into the car. That is the motor currently in the car… with the following specs and info: 350ci bored .040 over, 10/10 crankshaft, new cam, new lifters, new oil pump and the works, with a set of 350 Vortec cylinder heads and with the factory exhaust manifolds. This motor has approximately 4,000 miles on it. He also added a 2-stage master cylinder to the factory drum brakes that have all been re-worked. It also got a new heater core and blower motor and a new galvanized exhaust system. It has the original 3-Speed manual transmission (3-on-the-tree) as well with a new Ram clutch and pressure plate. The car runs very strong and its super dependable… I wouldn’t hesitate to drive it anywhere right now! This is a real good car.
AS A BONUS: the original motor comes with the car all rebuilt and painted green like it was originally from GM Chevrolet. The specs on that build are as follows. Original 265ci block bored .030 over with new pistons, new rods and mains, factory steel crankshaft was polished, the factory heads had hardened exhaust seats installed, new camshaft, new lifters, and new timing chain and oil pump. It is currently attached to an engine stand on wheels, as seen in the pictures below… and the engine stand goes with it also. The motor has oil in it and so does the oil bath breather… it has not been cranked,
Interior: Harrisons upholstery in Thomson, GA restored the seats to the factory black and silver pattern that it was born with, and new carpet also. Added was a hang-on Tachometer and set of reliable gauges under the dash. The speedometer doesn’t work but the odometer does, the fuel gauge and all lights and horn work. Third brake light was added for safety. I have a full set of Black Windlace that comes with the car (not installed).
If you want a good honest 57 Chevy with a solid and complete history, that is dependable and a true thumbs up type machine… then don’t miss this car. Somebody will be very happy new owners of this old 57 Bel Air…
YouTube Video Link
https://youtu.be/wDGfsMqANws
I can pick you up at the Augusta GA airport or the Thomson GA (small aircraft) …on almost any day except Sunday
Please call/text or Email with any questions:
Wendell 706-831-1899 Cell
southernhotrods@comcast.net
I have described this vehicle to the best of my ability. All vehicles are sold in "AS IS" condition. My goal is to provide you with the best service and the most comfortable buying experience on eBay. I do not accept escrow, and all inspections must be done prior to delivery. The advertised mileage represents the actual miles when the car was placed on eBay. These vehicles are test-driven and actual mileage may differ at time of sale. These vehicles are for sale locally and I do reserve the right to end the auction at any time.
