Classic
DREAMCARS Mount Dora, Fla. (352) 385-1945
www.classicdreamcars.com
1957
CHEVROLET BEL AIR 'FUEL INJECTED' CONVERTIBLE
A $99,956 FRAME-OFF
RESTORATION ( W/ RECEIPTS) OF EXTREMELY RARE, FUEL INJECTED CONVERTIBLE
(ONLY 68 BUILT.) STUNNING IN ORIGINAL COLONIAL CREAM WITH
YELLOW AND SILVER INTERIOR. THIS CAR HAS THE RARE & DESIRABLE
"THREE-ON-THE-TREE" / MANUAL 3-SPD.TRANSMISSION (WHICH
WAS THE ONLY TRANSMISSION OFFERED WITH THE SOLID LIFTER MOTOR),
AND, OF COURSE, IT'S TIED TO THE OPTIONAL 283 CUBIC INCH / 283
H.P.V8 W/ SOLID LIFTERS AND CHROME "APPEARANCE PACKAGE"
AIR CLEANER. THISWOULD BE THE FIRST YEAR FOR FUEL INJECTION
@ CHEVROLET AS THEY OFFERED IT ON PASSENGER CARS AS OF MARCH 1957
AND ON CORVETTES AS OF MAY, 1957*), CONTINENTAL
KIT, CHROME SPINNER HUBCAPS, DUAL REAR MOUNT ANTENNA, WIDE WHITE
WALL TIRES, TINTED GLASS, AM RADIO W/ WONDERBAR RADIO IN THE TRUNK,
CLOCK, POWER TOP, HEATER, CUSHION GUARDS, DASH PRISM 'TRAFFICATOR',
CHROME PACKAGE, EVEN A DEALER INSTALLED RADIATOR BUG SCREEN AND
24K GOLD PLATED 'APPEARANCE PACKAGE' WHICH INCLUDED STAINLESS
TRUNK TRIM, DOOR HANDLE GUARDS AND LICENSE PLATE FRAME. OFFERED
OUT OF OUR PERMENANT
COLLECTION FOR THE FIRST
TIME AS WE INCH NEAR RETIREMENT. $150,000
*OUR CAR IS VC57J15100
SERIES SERIAL NUMBER BORN IN JANESVILLE, WISC. ENGINE DESIGNATION
F1221EK WITH CORRECT 3731539 HEADS WHICH FEATURED THE ARROW BLOCK
ON THE HEAD AND STAGGERED VALVE COVER BOLTS. BLOCK #3731548. FUEL INJECTION #7014360 (WHICH IS THE 2ND SERIES F.I. W / SNOWFLAKE 'WINTERS'
FOUNDRY MARK ON TOP OF PLENUM UNIT) SERIAL #1134, UNIT#054.
IT HAS THE FUEL METER SINGLE TUBE SPIDER (USED ONLY AFTER 2/1/57)
AND MICRO SWITCH FOR THE CRANK ENRICHMENT. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS
ARE # 3733976 RH AND #3733975 LH WHICH ONLY CAME ON THE 283/283.
NOW
ON DISPLAY IN OUR MUSEUM COLLECTION
THE STORY:
No one really can
pin the exact reason....perhaps it was G.M.'s successful attempt
to make a Chevy look like a Cadillac, or the winning streak at
N.A.S.C.A.R (fastest car in the "flying mile" @ 131.076
M.P.H.), or the incredible durability record of Chevy's 'New 283
V8'. Maybe, it was those classic "50's fins" but, the
1957 Chevy remains the Most Popular Classic Car EVER.
Looking back, 1957
was fraught with heavy competition including Plymouth's new overhead
valve V8, while Ford offered exciting new styling in the Sunliner
Convertible and Skyliner with fold-back hardtop. Despite the fact
that it was Ford that stole the limelight in total production
(calender year) Chevrolet had inadvertently created a "Classic."
Chevy had also clearly beat Ford in the horsepower race, offering
the 283 V8 w/ 283 Fuel Injected horses (for $484). At the time,
Chevrolet claimed they were the first with "One Horsepower
Per Cubic Inch" but, reality is that Chrysler beat them to
it, six months earlier, with the 300 Model. Yet, Chevrolet
did offer FIVE different 283 engine choices from 185 H.P.
to 283 H.P. Even the luxury of Factory Air Conditioning (seldom
seen, as it was almost one-fourth the cost of the base car.)
Dash for dash, Chevy
offered a more organized and totally re-designed "command
post" dashboard featuring a three-pod cluster. Chevy also
pumped up to 15" wheels and a clock that could only be
viewed (on the passenger side of the car).... if you were
a giraffe. Transmission choices varied with a standard three-speed,
a 3-speed with Overdrive, a 2-Speed Powerglide and the "all
new" Turboglide ( late offering.) Originally, G.M. planned
to run the exhaust pipes through the rear bumpers but, complaints
about the Cadillac bumper exhaust residue left the Chevy's
with only the blacked-out exits blanks. Still yet, the
Cadillac influence can still be seen on Bel Airs with the advent
of excess Chrome ( Stainless Steel) and the Gold-plated "V's"
even down to the optional license plate frames. The end result
was that only the Nomad Wagon topped the Bel Air Convertible for
the title of most expensive, most luxurious "blue collar"
model at $2,757 (base V8 price)...a far cry from Cadillac's cheapest
model at $4,697. Note: we DID sell, several years ago, a perfect
Chevy Nomad Fuel Injected Wagon ( one of Five made) to a Museum
in California.
Despite the seemingly
low cost of a Chevrolet, one has to realize they were offered
essentially STRIPPED. How much would it have it cost if
it was equipped with most of the Standard Features offered today??:
In 1957, a young executive could afford to indulge himself ONLY
if he was a very successful businessman working 40-48 hours a
week. For example, let's say he chose the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
Convertible. The base price of the six-cylinder model was $2,511.
Let's say, he decided to order the car "loaded". He
added the 283 h.p. RamJet Fuel Injection V-8 for $484.00, backed
by the 'All New" Turboglide Transmission for $231.00. Being
a Hot Rodder at heart, he added the 4:11 Limited Slip Differential
for $45.00 and Power Steering for $69.95. Power Brakes were another
$37.70, Electric Windows were considered a luxury but, affordable
at $102.25 and Electric Seats for $43.05, With all these power
accessories he thought it was wise to add the Heavy Duty Battery
for a mere $7.55 but, winced at the high cost of the 40 amp Generator
for $80.70. E-Z Eye Tinted Glass, offered to reduce the sun's
glare, added another $32.30 but, after all, he was opting to by-pass
factory Comfort Air Conditioning at a staggering $486 ( which
was not available on the hi-horse Fuel Injection motor ) Logic
told him it was a 'top-down' Convertible, anyhow. Cold Winters
made the $74.90 heater mandatory but, he pondered the $85.00 Wide
Whitewall Tires before seeing the salesman check off the tick
on the order blank. The padded instrument panel ($16.50) seemed
like a good safety idea so, he ordered it.
The salesman, who
were still paid a substantial commission in 1957 (some went on
to open their own dealerships), was more than happy to display
the many 'dealer-installed options', available in addition to
the Factory Options. He suggested the elegant Continental Kit
Wheel Carrier. It was easily worth the $129.50 suggested retail.
At the other end of the car, it was almost mandatory to add the
front bumper cushion guards for a measly $3.90. Door Edge Guards
seemed a good idea so, he added them to the package for $3.45.
Mirrors were not standard equipment so, he chose the inside rearview
mirror for $4.95 and the drivers side mirror for $4.40. His wife
would appreciate the Electric Clock so, he added it @ $17.85.
With her best interest in mind, he would also add the Vanity Mirror
so, she could check her lipstick ($1.60), a Glove Compartment
Lamp so, she could see at night ($2.10) and Interior Courtesy
Lamps to gain access ($2.75). Since our buyer had backed over
the neighbor kid's Schwinn Black Phantom bicycle one night, the
backup lights for $12.00 seemed like a good idea. The buyer was
all smiles as the salesman reminded him he would need Floor Mats
to keep the carpets nice ($6.95) and some 'tunes' from the Wonderbar
Radio w/ left side rear mount antennae included for $112.00 and
a matching dummy antennae for the other side of the car for $6.95.
The salesman was quick to exhibit the 'difference' between the
'sound' of the single speaker and dual speakers by adding the
rear seat speaker so, our buyer was also quick to check off this
option at $12.95. When the salesman tried to add even more
options the buyer was quick to throw his hand up and exclaim 'this
was the way he wanted the car- please give him the total'. Adding
up the options took some time but, finally after double checking
his figures twice, the salesman slid the contract across the desk
and watched as the buyer's face turned blue, then red. This car
came to a staggering $ 4,142.25 !!! After all, this total price
would take 71 weeks of labor to reimburse his bank account !!!
( If he had no other expenses). Therefore, you can see the Chevrolet
Bel Air heavily equipped for $4,142.00 was just about comparably
equipped to the cheapest Cadillac for $4697.00. Luckily,
our buyer's choice was made easy with the trade in of his 1955
Chevrolet Tudor Bel Air @ $824.00 and he drove off into the sunset...with
the top down and the radio blasting Pat Boone's "Love Letters
In The Sand".
Did someone say
"Popular"?? G.M. built 1,499,658 Chevrolets in 1957...47,562
were Convertible Bel Airs'.... only 68 had Fuel Injection.
RARE? You decide.
NOW
ON DISPLAY IN OUR MUSEUM COLLECTION