1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

The 1957 Chevy may be the most iconic American vehicle of the 1950s despite being outsold by more comparable full-size Fords for the first time since 1935.  This sales anomaly may be attributed to Chevrolet’s use of tubeless tires, an innovation that was viewed with some trepidation by auto buyers. Where Chevrolet excelled was in the style department: the ‘57 Bel Air featured pronounced tail fins and more aircraft-inspired front body treatment as compared to Chevrolet’s own ’55 and ’56 model years. 1957 brought a lower and wider Cadillac-type style to the car with Chuck Jordan overseeing GM’s design department. To counter the “Forward Look” Virgil Exner Chrysler designs of the day, Jordan called for taller tail fins, headlight surround vents, and bumperettes that resembled jet aircraft nose cones as key style points on the Chevy.

Bel Air was the top-of-the-line model for Chevrolet at the time and while the 235 cubic inch straight 6-cylinder engine with a manual 3-speed transmission was still standard, power and performance came with Chevy’s V8 engines: a 265 cubic inch with 162hp or a 283 cubic inch “Turbo Fire” or “Super Turbo Fire” with 185 or 220 hp respectively, the difference coming from 2- or 4-barrel carburetors.  Fuel Injection was first introduced as an option in 1957 along with air conditioning, power door locks, and windows.  Inside the car was spacious and comfortable with ample room for 6 adults. While the optional radio still ran on vacuum tubes, both the clock and radio were designed to have a minimal draw on the 12v battery system.

Nothing spoke to the lure of the open road in the 1950s more than a convertible roof and this “Tri-Five” Chevrolet Bel Air was equally at home soaking up miles on the newly built Interstate Highway system as it was cruising the boulevards of downtown.  The roof could be raised or lowered with push-button convenience.  Add in two-tone Matador Red and India Ivory paint with matching red/silver interior and copious chrome inside and out, couples and families could drive in style in this All-American Classic, a success story with 47,562 units sold selling for $2510 each.

Specifications:

• Engine: 283 cu in V-8, 2-barrel carburetor

• Transmission: 3 Speed Column Shift Manual

• Power: 140 hp

• Torque: 210 ft-lb, 285 Nm

• Length: 200 in

• Width: 73.9 in

• Height: 58.3 in

• Wheelbase 115 in

• Weight: 3530 lbs

• Top Speed: 94 mph, quarter-mile 19.6 sec

• Fuel Economy: 13.3 mpg