1957 Chevrolet Other for sale $69,900

This is one of those exceptionally detailed restorations, one where they not only nailed the basics of paint and upholstery, but got the little things right, too: the clock works, panel gaps are tight and even, and the car runs and drives so easily that youandrsquo;d swear itandrsquo;s 50 years younger. The vivid Matador Red paint is just the right shade, glowing in the sunlight, and the addition of the India Ivory roof seems to emphasize the long, low look of the andlsquo;57s in particular. There are no waves in the bodywork, no signs of sub-par workmanship, and although the car has been driven since the restoration was completed, there are very, very few signs of it thanks to a conscientious caretaker who knew this car was special. When it came time to restore the jewelry on this car, no expense was spared. The bumpers are beautiful, the gold anodized grille and emblems are crisp and bright, and everything lines up just right so the lines are unbroken from panel to panel. The stainless strips along the flanks blend with the Bel Air anodized panels to make the top-of-the-line Chevys distinctive, and twin antennas on the rear deck would become a Chevy trademark for years to come.

Inside, the two-tone black and red upholstery was done just the way the factory would have, including the funky red and black fabric inserts. The detailing is exceptional, with the bright strip of trim stretching across the dashboard and housing the secondary controls, radio, and clock. The familiar three-pod instrument panel is beautifully restored and all the gauges and lights are fully operational. Indeed, everything works as it should, including the radio which has an FM converter inside to the clock which has been converted to painless quartz operation. Under the dash, youandrsquo;ll find a tissue dispenser which is an unusual yet surprisingly popular accessory, and the carpets are protected by red rubber floor mats. The trunk is correctly outfitted with a rubber floor mat and a full-sized spare tire so you donandrsquo;t have to wrestle with the one in the continental kit. Thereandrsquo;s also a correct jack assembly.

The small block Chevy V8 under the hood was a revolution when it was introduced in 1955, and itandrsquo;s a big part of why the andlsquo;57s are so beloved. Equipped with a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust that were part of the Power Pack setup, itandrsquo;s a superb runner that makes good power and great sounds. Itandrsquo;s wearing correct Chevy Orange paint and includes those lovely valve covers with embossed Chevrolet script that really makes it look special. Up top, thereandrsquo;s a proper heavy-duty air cleaner and a Rochester 4-barrel carburetor. When the car was competing, it was completely stock, but once its show days were over, it was modestly upgraded to make it easier to drive, including a modern Saginaw power steering pump and rack, front disc brakes with a dual reservoir master cylinder, and a 12-volt alternator. All these modifications are bolt-ons that could be undone if you wish to return the car to show duty, but it runs and drives so well, I think it would be a mistake. Turn the key and it sparks to life as quickly as a modern fuel-injected engine and idles smoothly even when cold. Thatandrsquo;s some nice tuning!

The transmission is the original 2-speed PowerGlide automatic and in this Bel Air, it delivers snappy performance with no fuss and no muss. Out back, the original rear end was rebuilt and fitted with 3.27 gears, which are a nice compromise between punchy acceleration and highway-friendly cruising. Youandrsquo;ll note that the floors have been painted and finished to the same standards as the bodywork, providing a great background for the satin black frame and