This beautifully restored 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air hardtop is truly one of those "no-compromises" classic cars. Everyone has their personal favorite Tri-5, but almost all of them will agree that the beautiful '57 Bel Air hardtop examples like this Imperial Ivory-over-Harvest Flame knockout are THE bonafide American dream cars. With a killer look inside-and-out, powerful 350 V8/700R4 drivetrain, and a selection of choice options, this is the kind of '57 Chevy many would build if money and time were no issue. Thankfully, all the hard work has already been completed and executed to a very high standard, meaning this Bel Air lacks only one thing: a new owner.
First off, the color on this Bel Air is simply drop-dead gorgeous. Think of it as a cross between Matador Red and Sierra Gold from the 1957 Chevrolet color chart, this Harvest Flame beauty is incredibly vivid, bright, and is the perfect complement to the Bel Air's famous bodywork. It may not be an archetypal color, but it's not so radical that it looks out-of-place, rather it highlights the car's classic design while grabbing that extra bit of attention these Chevy's crave. And with the Imperial Ivory hardtop, it has a sophisticated, period-perfect look that's been turned up to '11'. It's a high-profile car no matter what color you paint it, and thanks to a high-end, uniform, and miles-deep recent application using modern materials, the curb appeal is off-the-charts. Good straight bodywork is mandatory on a car of this caliber, so spending the extra time and money to get it right has paid off here. The restoration was finished back in 2011 just 8,247 miles ago, so it still carries a great shine that will sparkle at shows and makes other cars look downright shabby in comparison, although a multi-stage detail would really put it over the top if you want to go after some trophies. It's not a trailer-queen, but rather a top-end driver that will never look at out of place at any car show in the country, and when it's cruising down Main Street it practically has no equal. All the standard Bel Air glitz is there, including the anodized panels, polished stainless strips along the tops of the fins, and the brightly chromed bumpers that look great and are likely brand new, just like the rest of the brightwork that was attended to during the restoration. Accessories include Bel Air-specific gold trim in all the right places along with those iconic hood rockets, giving it a pure 1950s look that everyone loves.
The father-son team that restored this Bel Air stuffed a gorgeous, modern ultraleather interior in this hardtop, creating a fantastic place in which to spend some time. Comfortable bench seats front and back were covered in fine-quality tan hides, neatly stitched in ornate patterns that perfectly complement the exterior. A mini center console was added with cup holders and extra storage, plush yet durable modern carpets line the insulated floors, there's a taut headliner above, and elegant kick/door panels at the flanks were upholstered to match the seats. Everything was new at the time of the restoration and remains in excellent condition, including the beautifully painted matching dash that was punctuated with polished accents and a host of Classic Instruments gauges ahead of the driver. An aftermarket, dual-ring Bel Air steering wheel was painted Harvest Flame to match the theme of the build, so the driving experience is very authentic, albeit significantly improved thanks to power steering and a column shifter that manages the overdrive transmission below. Options include a retro-sound AM/FM stereo installed in the center of the dash, an underdash R134a A/C unit that blows ice cold, and seatbelts fore and aft. Even the trunk was beautifully finished to match the cabin, complete with a relocated battery and matching carpets.
A thundering 350 V8 crate engine is a huge hit in this '57 Bel Air, and it slides right into the beautifully finished and cavernous engine bay. Detailed for show with numerous polished and chromed components, including shiny Edelbrock valve covers, a futuristic March air cleaner, and matching Harvest Flame paint on the firewall and inner fenders, the engine bay is ready to be the envy of your car club. Topped with an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor, an Edelbrock high-rise intake, and ceramic-coated headers at the flanks, it's a stone-cold, powerful piece of machinery that transforms this Bel Air from grocery-getter to neck-snapper. A full MSD system fires it all up with ease, a giant aluminum radiator keeps the temps under control at all times, and all the accessories are polished and held tight to the block via billet pulleys and brackets that match the polished accents scattered throughout the engine bay. Custom-built headers were expertly routed into a dual exhaust system with throaty Glasspack-style mufflers that sound electric at full bore, exiting underneath the rear bumper. The 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission was added to the build and transforms this Bel Air into a genuine highway cruiser, spinning a custom driveshaft matched to the stock-style rear end out back. Despite all that power, this Tri-5 is quite manageable out on the road thanks to power front disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors, power steering, and a front suspension augmented with newer parts throughout. The frame and chassis is nicely detailed with solid, undercoated floors and painted components throughout, so you don't have to worry about hitting the road in this awesome Bel Air. Flashy chrome Coys wear sticky 245/45/17 radials that fill the fenders perfectly and finish off the look.
Smartly restored and neatly finished, this is the Bel Air you've been hoping to find, combining all the things that make Tri-5 Chevys so popular, with an impressive presentation and excellent road manners. Call now!
