1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop

- California Car
- New Summit Crate Motor
- Air conditioning

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop on a site other than GarageKeptMotors.com, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this vehicle due to website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 170 photographs, including a short walk-around-and-startup video, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.)

“Smooth as quicksilver… and quick as they come…” -Magazine advertisement headline for the 1957 Chevrolet

“Quicksilver” would be an appropriate nickname for this resto-modded 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Hardtop. Front to back, top to bottom, inside and out, this car's story is written in “silver.”

The exterior on this Harley Earl-designed classic shines with its silver paint complemented by the characteristic mid-Fifties ample use of chrome trim. The exterior silver theme is departed from only in the “Bel Air” and “V8” gold badging, gold front grille, and the three gold “front-fender louvers.” All the other classic design cues have also been similarly retained on the car: the “Dagmars,” the two aircraft-inspired distinctive hood ornaments, the swoopy stainless-steel side moldings, the anodized-aluminum quarter-panel trim, the dual rear (fake) exhaust outlets, even the “betcha can't find it” gas cap. Chrome steel wheels complete the quicksilver statement.

Inside, the silver theme continues, as does the retention of all the classic factory design elements. The silver-painted dashboard houses the stunning gauge cluster rendered in chrome; chrome and machined-steel trim extends across the lower dash, and a chrome steering wheel (with black trim) is in place. Controls for vintage air-conditioning and air vents are beautifully integrated. Upholstery is silver accented with charcoal, and charcoal carpeting covers the floor. Door panel upholstery mimics the seating surfaces and includes chrome-strip trim.

The fully detailed engine bay houses the up-to-date Summit Racing crate V8 engine with Holley 4-barrel carburetor, chrome air filter, and polished, finned valve covers; new aluminum radiator; air-conditioning compressor and connections; billet-aluminum pulley arrangement; and all properly located hoses and hard lines. Nothing is out of place or haphazardly positioned. Underneath, the headers, dual exhausts, and lower engine surfaces continue the shiny display.

Across the board, this California-restored '57 shows craftsmanship, attention to detail, and superb drive-ready condition. Available at the GarageKeptMotors website are more than 170 high-definition photographs of the car, taken from virtually every angle including from underneath. The short walk-around-and-startup video gives a brief audio sampling of the upgraded muscle. We encourage in-person inspections of the car at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call or email us first to arrange an advance appointment, or to ask any questions.

Hemmings once proclaimed: “…the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is the quintessential 1950s American car.” This “quicksilver” resto-modded example is ready to uphold that assessment at any cars-and-coffee or hot-rod-parking-lot gathering, and to provide a comfortable and powerful ride to and from such events.