Imagine cruising down the highway in a car so popular that everyone turns their heads to get a look at you. This collector car is so iconic that cottage industries have emerged to create parts and accessories for it, and entire generations have been scavenger-hunting for one since the 1960s.
The 1957 Chevy is that car, and it's a treasured part of American history, especially the ‘57 Chevy Bel Air Convertible.
Why Is the ‘57 Chevy So Popular?
There is no one reason the 1957 Chevy has been on many wish lists over the years, but there are a few reasons that stand out. For the record, the 1957 Chevrolet was not a best seller when it was new at the dealer. Ford outsold Chevy in 1957 by 7,200 cars when you count the new cars only, so what is it about the ‘57 Chevy that has a hold on the American imagination?
It could be the body style, the options, the chrome, the new safety features or the power equipment, but maybe the real reason is under the hood.
With an inline-6 and two V8 engine options, along with fuel injection and a Turboglide automatic transmission, power junkies took notice. While these options may not have caught on right away, it didn't take long for gearheads to discover the need for speed.
Budding NASCAR drivers discovered they could upgrade this new Chevy with a 327 or 409 engine, which outpaced the Ford flathead V8 with ease. The 1957 Chevy dominated, winning 26 NASCAR convertible races and securing all three driver championships by 1959, with racers like Joe Lee Johnson leading the way.
The 150 was so dominant that NASCAR banned it from competition. It also excelled in demolition derbies, thanks to its recessed GM radiator and double-walled trunk, making it a formidable contender in head-on collisions.
The Tri-Five
The 1957 Chevy is the final model of the “shoebox” cars, produced from 1955 to 1957 model years. Known for their simple boxy design, these cars are collectively referred to as the Tri-Five by fans and enthusiasts.
The classic Chevy 1957 Impala debuted as a standalone model but was reclassified as a trim level for the 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air.
What Was a Popular 1957 Chevy Model?
Trendy 1957 Chevrolet models included the base 150, mid-level 210 and the chrome-trimmed Bel Air. Available body styles ranged from two-door and four-door hardtops, sedans, convertibles and wagons, to the Nomad station wagon. The Sport Coupe and Sedan were two-door hardtops, while the four-door wagon seated nine across three rows. The ‘57 Chevy Nomad was a two-door, six-passenger vehicle. In total, there were 16 body styles to choose from.
During the 1950s baby boom, station wagons became popular as families hit the new interstate highways, eager to see the USA in your Chevrolet, thank you, Dinah Shore.
The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible was equipped with luxury features like power steering, windows, brakes, locks and optional air conditioning—comparable to a Cadillac of the time. With 460 two-tone color combinations, including popular 1957 Chevrolet colors like Larkspur Blue and Harbor Blue, buyers had plenty of choices to express their style. Chevy produced 700,000 Bel Air models that year, contributing to its enduring popularity, although many have likely been damaged in races or left to rust in barns.
How Much Was a 1957 Chevy in 1957?
According to the Census Bureau, the average income in 1957 was $5,000 a year, and the top-of-the-line Bel Air Sports Coupe stickered at $2,399, which is almost 50% of the average income. The 150 was a more modest $2,096.
Restoring a 1957 Chevy is often a labor of love, but when done right, these cars can command high prices at auctions and win significant prizes at car shows. In 2019, a custom 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible sold for $258,500 at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. The Bel Air Nomad remains highly sought after by car enthusiasts worldwide and has been for many decades.
Ready to make your ‘57 Chevy a showstopper or draw a big auction check? Contact us today. For over 25 years, Mutton Hollow Chevys has specialized in 1955–1957 Chevrolet parts, stocking over 3,500 new reproduction parts from 35 reproduction partners. Shop for your 1957 Chevy parts at Mutton Hollow Chevys where you’ll find everything you need to turn heads as you drive down the highway.
