Somehow, the Bel Air trim just doesn't look that great on a 2-door sedan IMO. Plus, BA's are like bellybuttons. I'd build the car like a 210 or maybe a 150 - ether one with two-tone paint. Tri-5 seats seem to be pricy, maybe a bench from a late Nova would work for cheap. I could measure mine to give you an idea what to look for. I'm THRILLED to own a 150, white over red. Body and paint are crappy, but the 235 runs good with a 3/4 cam and dual pipes, Vega 4-speed, 3.08 gears. Wheels are 80's 14x6 stock steelies with Nova baby moon 'caps, 1" whitewall radials. Rebuilt the front end with 2" dropped spindles, sway bar, power discs (NO KIT). Lots of BS&T, but with only $10k TOTAL invested, I'm having twice the fun as the 'chainers in my club, plus I can still drive it to WalMart!!! I just LOVE to brag about how little I've spent for the fun I'm having. MUCHO LUCK with your build... - Tim
. This is a HAMBers car with some cool history. It is a genuine Utility Sedan (no back seat and fixed rear side windows) A survivor drag racer from Ohio with a 301 engine originally built by Ohio George Montgomery.
Funny, that was my first thought too. I distinctly remember a thread titled something like "I hate '57 Chevys" with lots of approving replies indicating that the only good '57 had a straight axle and no front bumper. To my dad, who graduated high school in 1965, Tri-Five Chevys were the hot rod material. A 327, a four-speed, and "Mickey Thompson" (Raider) mags in front, along with chrome-reverse wheels in back were de rigueur on these cars in that era. I've always fancied one done that way, but with a 409 or hot 348. -Dave
55's & 56's look great with no bumper and an axle but the no bumper on a 57 looks like a bottom jaw is broken and the bottom denture has been left in the jar. I know the bumper is huge but it works. However, I've seen a couple that have no bumper that make me think, "Well, maybe....that works?"
Hmnmmm, why don't you post up some of those "gold chainer" '57 Chevys you don't like...I wanna see if me or my friends have one...!!! R-
Three options for me. The black widow. A factory drag jet black 283 2 x 4 beauty (owned by Floyd Garrett) or the Project X....Done exactly like the original.
I love fifty seven chevy's, Gasser, custom, or lowrider. It sucks they are getting a bad wrap just because they have been so popular. Why so much hate. Well, love it or hate it. Here is mine. I know the hardcore tradition guys may hate it but it doesn't have billet rims, or EFI. It's fun to drive and i love it. Critic's welcome.
posted here before--have played with this one on and off for 35 years-have redone it 3 times. Rare car so it's not one that I want to modify. Fun to drive but a little finicky-wife has driven it plenty over the years (Fremont/Baylands 81 and 82) and knows the ritual for starting a fuely.
speaking of 57 Chevys. Anyone catch American Pickers/Pawn Stars/American Restoration show on the 57 150? Don't mean to hijack but it is a 57 and it came out nice even though the cost was pricey.
My favorite was on the cover of Hot Rod in the first couple of years of the seventies... Not exactly on topic, but it was a candy blue two door drag car with super tricks built by a young guy posed in his small 1 car garage. If I can get to that part of my collection I'll post it.
Here's an old pic of my brother's 57... The car now has bigger rubber front and rear and he raised it up in the back some. I'll try to find a more recent pic. Neal
After all the pics in this thread have to say there ain't nothin you can't do to a FIFT7 and fukitup.......
Oh, I don't know. They started to "re-do" mine in 1993... They pulled the motor, painted it, and started to paint over the old green paint... luckily they got disinterested in the project, and is sat until I got it. I shudder at the thought it it being Tropical Torquoise... and pink. Sam NIB They only got as far as painting the dash, and front of the jambs and around the lip of the hood. It comes off with laquer thinner! Whew!
Ah man, i'm puking from my eyes!!!! I would do it late early 70's style. greasy rake, tinted plexi glass scoop, black interior with the dash covered in tachs and gauges.
Here are a few I've shot over the years. This was my daily driver in the seventies. And if you'll excuse a model instead of the real thing, let's not forget those great Jr. Stockers of the late sixties.
The Jalopy Journal
