1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible (LHD)

Description

Described by Chevrolet's ad men as ?Sweet, Smooth and Sassy!? the 1957 Chevrolet has gone down in history as one of the all time classic American cars, combining delicious styling with serious muscle. Known as the Tri-Five series, Chevrolets produced between 1955 and 1957 were sold with the option of a powerful small-block V8 that proved a winner, both on the track and the drag strip. With five main bearings, overhead valves operated by pushrods and individual rockers, the motor quickly gained cult status thanks to its inherent smoothness, high-revving ability and impressive power output. Initially displacing 256-cid, Chevrolet raised the bore slightly to increase capacity to 283-cid in 1957, with various states of tune available, rated from 185 to 270 horsepower. In its ultimate fuel-injected 283-cid form, the Chevrolet V8 was the first production motor developing one horsepower for each cubic inch and cleaned up in AAA and NASCAR events around the country. Generations of racers chalked up countless victories on the track, drag strip or at the traffic lights using this legendary engine and it remained the standard power unit in Bow Tie performance products for decades to come. The Tri-Five family consisted of three distinct model lines, starting with the base level One-Fifty, moving up to the intermediate Two-Ten and topped by the luxurious Bel-Air. Chevrolet tweaked the Bel Air's styling in 1957 with a bigger, bolder oval shaped grille and revised tail fins and for many it remains the sharpest looking Chevrolet of the Fifties era. Additional chrome side moulding, rocker sills and brightwork around the windows and along the fins accentuated the fine detailing on Bel Air models, while inside there was plusher interior trim and richer carpet. The customer could order the Bel Air in four distinct body styles, including the sedan, hardtop coupe, convertible and station wagon. Straight from the Rock 'n' Roll era, the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is a genuine American icon and one of the most sought after cars from the Fifties, with values appreciating dramatically in recent years - particularly for the ultra desirable two-door coupe and convertible variants.