’57 Bel Air at Mecum Louisville: Garage-Kept for 52 Years
The 1957 Chevrolet is often regarded as a dream car by many, and this one was most certainly such for the seller, who kept it for 52 years. Having been kept in a garage its entire life, the Bel Air features stunning original stainless, brightwork and soft trim throughout. Repainted the original Harbor Blue colour about 18 years ago, it still shines with fantastic depth, clarity and reflectivity, and the panel fit and alignment is excellent.
While the Chevrolet has never been fully restored, it has enjoyed a painstaking maintenance regimen keeping it in exceptionally clean condition while maintaining much of the originality. For example, new wiring was installed in 2002, and about 1,500 miles ago, an extensive rebuild was performed on the drivetrain, which is comprised of a 283 CI Power Pack V-8 engine fed by a 4-barrel carburettor and backed by a Turbo 350 automatic transmission. A factory-correct dual exhaust system provides an authoritative but unobtrusive, throaty burble.
Some of the more notable features of this Bel Air include power drum brakes, a tinted windshield, split bench seats, the famous gold-anodized grille, painted steel wheels with full-size spinner wheel covers and wide whitewall tyres.
The entire car is a trip back in time, and the interior exemplifies that journey; with the aluminium trim sparkling upon the dashboard, stunning upholstery, beautiful weather stripping, extraordinary glass and more, this Bel Air truly teleports people to bygone decades when Rod Serling and Lucille Ball captivated audiences around the country, an era when Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley were reinventing the music industry and space really was the final frontier.
The relaxed demeanour of this exquisite 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is one for the books, and it’s a rare find that has been preserved by 52 years of meticulous maintenance and care.
