The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is one of America’s most iconic vehicles. It’s right up there with the Ford Mustang & Chevrolet Corvette.Even people who aren’t into cars know what a ‘57 Chevy is.Perhaps you’ve seen one at a local classic car show or in a movie or are just curious about the origins of this legend.Read on as we reveal the details that make the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air so special.
Bạn đang xem: Biến xế độc 1957 Chevy Belair thành đồ nội thất
Bel Air Basics
We cover the differences from early Chevrolets later on, but it’s essential lớn know that the 1957 Chevrolet was available in three trims: the base 150, the mid-màn chơi 210, and the top-tier Bel Air.The Bel Air gets all of the attention as it boasts the most features và distinctive accents.Given the Bel Air’s looks and equipment, it was often referred lớn as the poor man’s Cadillac.
While many associates the Bel Air with a two-door body toàn thân style, this Chevy was available in different configurations.
ConvertibleThể Thao Coupe & Sedan (a two-door hardtop without the pillar in between the side windows)Two-Door & Four-Door Sedan (these models have sầu the center pillar)Four-Door Wagon (a three-row wagon configured for nine passengers)Nomad Station Wagon (a two-door, six-passenger wagon)The Bel Air also shared General Motors’ A-toàn thân platkhung with the Pontiac Chieftain.Collectors who find themselves getting priced out of the ‘57 Chevy market often turn to the Chieftain as a less expensive way of owning a GM classic.
1955, 1956, or 1957: Spotting the Differences
The second generation of Chevrolet’s full-kích thước (A-body) Mã Sản Phẩm lasted just three short Mã Sản Phẩm years (1955-1957)—these cars are sometimes referred to as the Chevy Tri-Five sầu.Unlượt thích today where there can be little to lớn no difference between mã sản phẩm years, Chevy made each year of the second-gen series distinctive sầu.This was primarily lớn keep up with archrival Ford.
Notably, the Bel Air trim was available all three years, but it’s easy to spot the differences.To begin with, the 1955 Bel Air has more protruding headlights, a more narrow grille that does not extend to lớn the entire width of the car, & teardrop-shaped parking lights placed directly below the headlights.In addition, the front end of the hood is more rounded.
For 1956, the Bel Air can be identified by a full-width grille with integrated parking lights below the headlights và a more vertical front end of the hood with an integrated “V” at the center.Plus, the ‘56 has chất lượng side trlặng with a painted center that runs most of the car’s length.
Chevrolet goes over the top with the 1957 Bel Air khổng lồ distinguish it from earlier models và those of other GM divisions & Ford and Chrysler.Begin by looking for the Chevy bowtie emblem at the center of the grille (not on the hood). Next, you’ll notice twin “rockets” on the hood instead of the single jet that sits on the hoods of 1955 and 1956 Bel Airs. You’ll also find that the headlights have a more protruding eyebrow than 1956 (even more so than the ‘55).
Most significantly, the elaborate chrome front bumper with a torpevì accent under each headlight is another giveaway that you’re looking at in 1957. And, of course, exaggerated vertical tails fins are another way of contrasting the ‘57 against older models.
What Makes The 1957 Chevy Bel Air So Special?
The ‘57 Bel Air is a standout today because of its ability to remind people of simpler times và look that appears in sharp contrast lớn today’s vehicles that often seem so similar.Yet, back in 1956 (when the ‘57 first went on sale), the Bel Air was all the rage thanks to a combination of chất lượng features that went beyond the signature styling.
1957 Chevy Bel Air EnginesWhile full-sized Chevys of the early 1950s were more commonly known for decent inline six-cylinder engines & a mediocre 265 cubic inch V-8, the 1957 Bel Air debuted with the revolutionary (và optional) 283 cubic inch Super Turbo-Fire V-8 that featured a state-of-the-art fuel injection system.
Rethành viên, carburetors ruled the day, so anything that improved fuel economy và performance made customers st& up và take notice.In fact, not only was the Ramjet Fuel Injection system a first for General Motors, but the Bel Air became the first production V-8 passenger oto with the công nghệ.
This period was the start of an era when consumers would become enamored with công nghệ. So Detroit was more than happy khổng lồ oblige.The advancement of jet fighters and the 1957 launch of Sputnik helped tín đồ these fires.
1957 Chevy Bel Air OptionsIn addition to a choice of four power plants & three transmissions (one manual, two automatic), ‘57 Bel Air shoppers could choose from a host of options that once were reserved for luxury cars lượt thích Cadillacs. Not only was “power everything” (brakes, steering, windows, và locks) available but air conditioning could be ordered as well.Even early forms of surround sound và automatic high-beam control were options.It’s no wonder the ‘57 Bel Air was often dubbed the Baby Cadillac.
Consumers also loved that the Bel-Air could be ordered in almost limitless exterior finishes. Two-tone color combinations such as Larkspur Blue and Harbor Blue were just one of the possible 460 choices.
1957 Chevy Bel Air PopularityWhile Ford actually sold more full-sized cars for the 1957 mã sản phẩm year than Chevy, the more than 700,000 Bel Airs built during that time confirm its popularity. In fact, Chevy sold more than 1.5 million A-body cars for 1957 when you include the 150 và 210 models.The ‘55 and ‘56 models had developed a reputation for reliability và, when needed, simple và cheap repair.This carried through into 1957.
The abundance of 1957 Bel Airs also helps trương mục for why the car continues lớn be popular.There are still plenty available, and there is ready access khổng lồ parts thanks to lớn a robust aftermarket.
About The 1957 Chevy Bel Air Nomad
While the two-door Bel Air Nomad body style had been around for a few years, it never enjoyed the sales success of its other 1957 brethren.It could be ordered with all the available options, including the fuel-injected V-8, but takers were rare.Less than one percent of 1957 Bel Air production (6,264 units) were in Nomad form.
Today, ‘57 Bel Airs of any type are highly sought after, but it’s the 1957 Bel Air Nomad that stands atop the mountain due to its rarity.
Buy a Used Car or Truông chồng at Trust Auto
Classic cars are great for dreams & weekend drives, but for everyday automotive sầu needs, discover Trust Aukhổng lồ in Sykesville. We’re Maryland’s foremost used oto dealer of premium cars, SUVs, & trucks. Perhaps the next great classic lượt thích a Ford Mustang or a Chevrolet Corvette is waiting for your demo drive. Cheông chồng out our entire inventory of high-chất lượng vehicles.
Shopping for a used SUV in Towson? Buying a used oto in Eldersburg? Then you’ll find the best-used cars for sale are cthua trận by at Trust Aukhổng lồ.We’re an easy drive from Washington, DC, and Virginia, too.Searching for a used truông chồng in New York? Looking for a used car in Pennsylvania? Then our remote shopping service is as easy as 1-2-3.We can deliver a new-to-you vehicle just about anywhere, all while you enjoy the comforts of trang chủ.
Skip searching for cars for sale by the owner. Instead, head over lớn Trust Auto.Our unmatched inventory of hand-selected vehicles is second to none.Whether you’re coming from Randallstown, Baltimore, or beyond, we’ve got the right car and the right price.điện thoại tư vấn, cliông xã, or visit today.
