Initially, General Motors executives wanted an entirely new car for 1957, but production delays necessitated the 1955–56 design for one more year. Ed Cole, chief engineer for Chevrolet, dictated a series of changes that significantly increased the cost of the car. These changes included a new dashboard, sealed cowl, and the relocation of air ducts to the headlight pods, which resulted in the distinctive chrome headlight that helped make the '57 Chevy a classic. Fourteen-inch wheels replaced the fifteen-inch wheels from previous years to give the car a lower stance, and a wide grille was used to give the car a wider look from the front. The now famous '57 Chevy tailfins were designed to duplicate the wide look in the rear. Bel Air models were given gold trim: the grille, front fender chevrons, hood, and trunk script were all rendered in anodized gold. The 1957 Chevys did not have an oil pressure gauge or a voltmeter. The base engine was an inline 6-cylinder called the Blue Flame Six. The engine was smooth running and more fuel-efficient than the V-8. Carburetion came from a single one-barrel carburetor. This incredible ’57 Bel Air Hardtop has gone through an extensive restoration to bring it to what you see here today. With rack & pinion power steering, a new exhaust system, two tone seats and front disc brakes, this car has everything you could ask for! Someone has put tens of thousands of dollars to make this two door hardtop like you see it now! The paint on the car looks very good and is finished in the original two tone Tropical Turquoise and India Ivory. The paint is in excellent condition and we are hard pressed to find imperfections! The body is incredibly solid and looks great. All of the trim looks excellent and appears to have been re-chromed in the recent past and retains a very good shine. The same goes with the front and rear bumpers which show no damage. All of the glass is in good condition as well. Inside, the interior looks excellent and is all new. The correct black & turquoise vinyl and cloth interior is in excellent, new condition and continues from the seats to the headliner and door panels. The seats are all in exceptionally good condition. The rear bench seat shows just as well as the front bench seats. The door panels, kick panels and headliner are all equally as nice with no notable wear to be found. There has been a set of three gauges installed right below the dashboard that includes gauges for Water Temperature, Oil Pressure and Amps. Under the hood, the 350 cubic inch V8 runs great and is nicely detailed. With rack & pinion power steering and front disc brakes, this car has everything you could want in a great driving classic. With the exhaust exiting out the back through a dual exhaust system, the car has a great rumble. On the road there is plenty of horsepower under your right foot to make even the most power hungry enthusiast happy. Attached to the 350 is a 4 speed Muncie manual transmission. Stopping is easy with front disc brakes. The car has plenty of new components that were replaced shortly before we acquired the car from the previous owner, such as the front & rear brakes, AM radio, electrical wiring, interior, gas tank, exhaust system and tires! This Bel Air is ready for the road! The wheels are chrome 15” Chevrolet Motor Division wheels all around that are wrapped with P215/60R15 tires. VIN number is C57J238714 and the current mileage shows 01,719. The car is being sold on a clean & clear Missouri title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
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