1957 Chevy Bel Air Convertible Barn Find 49k Miles No Rust Ever Aaca Senior on 2040-cars

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible. This car was restored in 1985-86, was shown and driven a few times and then parked inside a heated steel building sitting on concrete. I have photos of the car prior to restoration and it was 100% rust free, never hit, never molested. It really did not need restoration but the owner wanted a "show" car. The car received a frame-off restoration but all the original parts for the car were rechromed, polished, restored and reinstalled. The car was painted in acrylic lacquer and paint is still beautiful! No cracks, splits or checks.

The car was originally dealer undercoated underneath and the undercoating was not removed when it was restored. It is very clean underneath. Frame was fully restored and all dents removed, painted correct semi-gloss black. It has the original grove-type rear leaf springs and still retains it's riveted upper ball joints. All of the chrome and stainless on the car is very good to excellent. The entire car needs to be cleaned, polished, buffed and detailed. We did not (and won't for this auction) remove any of the dust and dirt that has settled on the car after nearly 20 years of dry storage.

Absolutely no panels or patches have ever been put in this car. It retains 100% of the original GM sheetmetal it had when new.

The interior had the seat covers and carpet replaced. The seats were so nice that all of the padding, burlap and cross-wires were reused. The door panels and rear armrest covers are original and excellent. Visors are original and excellent. All glass was replaced with date coded EZI tinted glass after window frames were rechromed (nothing reproduction).

Original 283 ci V8, Power Pack with Powerglide transmission, dual exhaust F507FC. It has windshield washers and a vacuum wiper motor (original to this car when new). The only non-original item is an exact-fit Custom Autosound radio.

This car won an AACA Senior First Place National Award immediately after restoration in 1987. It scored a 988/1000 in the 1957 Trailered Class at the Classic Chevy Winter National in the early1990's before it was put away. The top is brand new, but has been down for 20 years. The cowl tag was never removed for restoration and still has the original rivets and sealer. It reads: Body: L2993 Trim: 680 Paint 799.

The only thing I have done is remove the old fuel, cleaned the fuel tank, lines and carburetor, put in new fuel and started the car and let it run. It runs smoothly and quietly. I have not driven the car. Here is what I think it needs to be an EXCELLENT driver and nice show car:

• Replace the top pump, hoses and cylinders
• Tires (these are new BFG Silvertown bias ply tires, 100% correct, but I would not drive on them due to their age)
• Repair tiny paint chips on body at lower edges of deck lid
• Clean, clean, clean, polish and buff then clean some more
• Have dent wizard remove tiny outward dent in hood on passenger side (previous owner says causes by hood getting shut on a set of jumper cables)
• Repaint the engine and the air cleaner
• I would replace the exhaust system - the exhaust is nice, but it is an older weld-together Walker system
• Replace or rebuild the wheel cylinders and master cylinder
• Recover the front seat side shells (material is faded)

This could all easily be done for $2500-$3000 investment.

If you want one of the finest examples of an unmolested, uncut, just like GM built it, rust free 1957 Chevy convertible, this car is it. We will be happy to arrange enclosed shipping for you (at your expense) anywhere in the continental US. For overseas buyers, we are happy to help deliver the car (at your expense) to the port of your choice for export.