1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 Door Hardtop on 2040-cars

VIN: VF57l193772 Year: 1957
Number of Cylinders: 8
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Bel Air/150/210
Trim: Bel Air
Drive Type: rear wheel drive
Mileage: 86,810
Warranty: none
Exterior Color: White

Condition: UsedA vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections.Seller Notes:"Recent restoration of an almost completely original car. The transmission is the only non original power train part. Was turboglide,now Powerglide. Basecoat/clearcoat paint in the original color. Brand new Ciadella interior. New front and rear glass. beautiful car ready for cruise or show. Some minor flaws in the paint and side window glass visible only up close."

This car was originally sold by Hastings Chevrolet in Santa Monica CA on July 30 1957.  I bought this car in 1978 from the second owner.  I do have most of her receipts for service up until that time as well as the original owners manual (not a repro).   I drove the car for about 6 months and then parked it along with several other cars on my "to restore" list.  Finally about two years ago I began the restoration. The car had been repainted blue so the first chore was to strip it completely and repaint it in the correct "Imperial Ivory".  The car ran but it had been sitting so long that I decided to rebuild the engine, carburetor, brakes, and transmission.  The engine code (F709GC) shows the car to  be a 220 hp power pack with a turboglide transmission.  I found in the stack of receipts that the trans had been changed to a powerglide in October 1974.  This is the only non original part in the powertrain of this car. The Generator and Power brake master cylinder were rebuilt and new wheel cylinders were installed along with new brake shoes.  A new fuel pump,and fuel tank were installed along with a new original style exhaust system.  The radiator was recored. The front bumper was rechromed and all the other chrome pieces were replaced with Danchuck parts.  The stainless trim was polished and reinstalled with new Danchuck brackets.  The windshield and rear window were replaced with new from Danchuck and the wiper motor was rebuilt. Other new parts include the light switch, dimmer switch, neutral safety switch and back up light switch.  The complete interior was purchased from Pete Ciadella (Tempe AZ) in the original trim code 670 colors and installed in San Diego by Ciadella's recommended shop. New tires were installed. The car is beautiful but not perfect.  I did not replace the side glass and they show some minor delamination, there are some very minor scratches and small dents in the stainless trim around the front windshield, and there are a few minor imperfections in the paint that can only be seen from very close inspection. The radio and clock do not work but everything else does.  The last two restored cars I sold both had their radios changed to something new fangled immediately so I didn't want to waste the money fixing them. All in all you will be proud to own this car and I believe it is priced well below the market. Here are the numbers on the car.  Engine: F709 GC, date code G37 (July 3rd 1957)  Cylinder heads #3731559  The VIN shows the car was built in Long Beach CA on friday July 19th 1957.  You'll note it has the California style one piece front bumper and the smooth frame.  I do not know why, but the owner that I purchased the car from changed the license plates in september 1975 to the current 466NCC from the original KRK853. The original plates should have been yellow with black letters  (not black with yellow letters like the 1960's)  I have receipts and paperwork for all of the above items and the car comes with a photo album showing the entire restoration.