I have never been a huge '57 Chevy fan- probably because as a kid I couldn't afford the $1200 nice ones were going for so ended up with a $500 Fairlane 500(early '60's). But my wife has always been ga-ga over them. Many years ago (about 25), a friend told me about a neighbor guy who had started building a drag-car look '57 hardtop and lost interest. Stock 283/PG, nerf bars, stripped of trim, some of which was wrapped inside. Running, basically rust-free. I bought it for $700, drove it home and began collecting parts. Bel-Air trim, one-piece Calif front and rear bumpers,etc. Straight hood without holes for pins. Vette valve covers. I picked up early Centerlines and a factory '56-57 Vette 2x4 intake off a Fad-T, polished with 2 AFBs. Figured I'd put smaller white casts on it and have a retro theme going. 2-tone as stock, but silver over metallic gunmetal grey. Then, stuff happens, it ended up covered on blocks in the back yard after kids peppered the windshield with a BB gun. Recently, I've decided to finish it, if only to enjoy it for a while and sell/trade it for an older project. I happened to check out the VIN, and discovered it was originally a 210, not a Bel Air. Checked the trim that came with it, and sure enough, there were the shorter spears for the top of the fins. I had never noticed the lack of chrome around the side windows. So, no problem, I'd use my Bel-Air trim, but no gold, all silver. But here's my quandry- I've come across only two 210 pilarless HTs in the past 2 years, one for sale, one in a show. And both owners made a big deal about how rare HTs were in the 210 line, at least surviving. If I was going to keep it forever, I would probably use the Bel Air trim, but I'm wondering if I should just emphasize the 210 heritage with that trim, as I'm probably going to part with it. Any opinions, or is this really insignificant?
Do what your heart tells you. If you're a resto freak and will try to score big profits with a sale later, then your course is obvious. Otherwise, put it together and enjoy it. That's a lot more fun than worrying about correct trim and all the other headaches involved with owning a "cl***ic".
It's significant to some of us. I have a 61 belair hardtop...seen one lately? and besides I think the 57 belairs were a tad much, the 210 looks a lot cleaner
I can solve it for you - trade me even up for my 35 chevy and I'll take care of the 210/Belair problem
Actually, I saw one last weekend. A friend of mine, who collects Camaros, just bought one. They are nice also.
i'm taking all the bel-air **** off my 210 as we speak, well, except the sail panels. but mine is a sedan and not a hard top. make it how you want it. you'll probably get more money with the bel-air trim, the next guys just going to put it on anyway. production numbers; 210 sport coupes (hardtops) 22,631 bel-air sport coupes (hardtops) 166,426
i like the 210 trim on my sedan, not too flashy n fancy, guess in owning one i have to attempt to do something different to set it apart from the rest, i have seen a 210 hardtop in the highland green in my area part of the cheys best club, a real sharp looking car yet, i like the belair trim also, depends on the ride, i thought about adding at least the longer spears on the fins and the trim above the windows to add a little chrome since i deleted the upper swoop on the fin, depends what looks good if it ever comes time to lay some fresh highland/seafoam green two tone. another one ya dont see much of at all, and if i remember right factory production numbers were rather low on, was the 4 door hardtop in the 210 trim, i saw one in the area the same time i was picking up mine, for a few bux more mighta been a better deal even though it was a bit rustier.
i saw a number in a 57 chev restoration guide, its a big book with a lotta original diagrams with the blue n white 57 on the front, it musta been a typo in that book then cause i thought is was lower,
Thanks all for the responses/opininons. I'm leaning going with the Bel Air trim since I have it, with maybe the silver "Chevrolet" script on the sail panels instead of the gold "Bel Air," silver "V's" and maybe a tube grille. I'm not sure about the Centerlines, they are a 70's item, maybe a little off-period for the rest of what's happening, but I'll start with them and see how it looks.
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