This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is a two-door hardtop that the seller’s late uncle acquired in 2003 and subsequently refurbished and modified through 2013. The work is said to have included removing the body and refinishing it in red over a black interior, and power comes from a replacement 350ci V8 crate engine paired with a Muncie four-speed manual transmission and a Positraction rear end. Other equipment includes chrome 15″ American Racing Torq Thrust wheels, power-assisted front disc brakes, a rack-and-pinion steering conversion, a dual exhaust system, an aluminum radiator, aftermarket front bucket seats, tilt steering, a Hurst shifter, a custom center console, Classic Instruments gauges, a retro-style head unit, and a hidden Alpine AM/FM/CD player. This Bel Air is now offered by the seller on behalf of his late uncle’s estate with refurbishment records and a clean Missouri title.
The pillarless coupe’s body is said to have been removed from the frame, stripped, and refinished in red. Other work included media-blasting and powdercoating the frame, polishing the stainless trim, as well as replacing sheetmetal, seals, weatherstripping, and bumpers. The seller notes a leak around the rear-window weatherstripping.
Chrome-finished 15″ American Racing Torq Thrust wheels are mounted with 215/65 BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. Braking is handled by power-assisted front discs and rear drums. Other modifications include a rack-and-pinion steering conversion.
The interior features aftermarket front bucket seats and a rear bench trimmed in black with matching carpets and door panels with fabric inserts. Interior amenities include a custom center console with cupholders, three-point front seatbelts, a heater, a Hurst shifter, an analog clock, a retro-style head unit in the dash, and a glovebox-mounted Alpine AM/FM/CD stereo.
The two-spoke steering wheel is mounted on a tilting steering column and fronts Classic Instruments gauges including a combination speedometer/tachometer and gauges measuring oil pressure and voltage. Additional auxiliary gauges are positioned on each side of the speedometer, and the six-digit mechanical odometer shows just under 4k miles, which is said to indicate the distance traveled since completion of the refurbishment. Actual chassis mileage is unknown.
A 350ci GM ZZ4 V8 crate engine was installed during the refurbishment and sends power to the rear wheels through a Muncie four-speed manual transmission and a Positraction rear end. Features include a dual exhaust system and an aluminum radiator. An oil change was carried out in October 2020.
Additional images showing the condition of the underside are provided in the gallery below.
Documentation includes refurbishment records and a breakdown of expenses totaling nearly $130k dated from March 2003 through February 2013.
