Top 7 How To Restore A 1957 Chevy Bel Air The 167 Latest Answer

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How much is a 1957 1957 Bel Air worth?

Ever wondered how much did a 1957 Chevy cost in 1957? Well, the answer for the brand-new Chevy Bel Air would be $2,757. That’s $25,172 today. Meanwhile, to keep your car running, the average cost of gas in 1957 was $24.

What is the rarest Chevy Bel Air?

The rarest model of all is the Bel Air 2-door Nomad Wagon, of which only 6,264 units were ever produced. The most common model is the Bel Air 4-door sedan, with a total of 264,449 produced in 1957.

What was so special about the 1957 Chevy?

The 1957 Chevrolet also had many great, innovative features such as the Turboglide transmission which made for smoother shifting for the driver. The 1957 Chevy cars offered a 250 horsepower Ramjet V8 engine.

How much horsepower does a 1957 Chevy Bel Air have?

And, since the Bel Air was the top trim, by ’57 it was available only with a V-8. Initially, the new engine was offered with either a two-barrel carburetor and an output of 162 horsepower, or with a four-barrel and the resulting 180 horsepower.

How much does a 1957 Chevy Bel Air cost?

Nowadays, you could buy the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air for anywhere in the range of $30,000 to $100,000. Thankfully, there are plenty of used ’57 Bel Airs on the market. You can also buy the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air for somewhere between $1,300 and $43,000.

How much did a 1957 Chevy Bel Air cost new?

Pricing. As far as pricing goes, the 1957 Bel Air Convertible carried a factory price of $2,511 when equipped with the V-6 and $2,611 when equipped with a V-8 engine.

What year Bel Air is the best?

5 1957 283ci

A lot of vintage gearheads agree that the ’57 the best production year.

What is the rarest 57 Chevy?

The rarest of the 1957 Chevys, the “Poor Man’s Cadillac”, the El Morocco was a customized full-size car produced by Ruben Allender based on the 1956 and 1957 Chevrolet.

What colors did the 57 Chevy come in?

1957 Chevy Colors
Paint Code Paint Name
818 Adobe Beige / Sierra Gold
819 India Ivory / Matador Red
820 Colonial Cream / Laurel Green
822 Imperial Ivory / Dusk Pearl
12 thg 11, 2020

What engine came in a 1957 Chevy Bel Air?

For 1957 there were four standard engine options, a 235.5 cu in (3,859 cc) inline 6-cylinder producing 140 hp (104 kW), a 265 cu in (4,340 cc) V8 “Turbo-Fire” producing 162 hp (121 kW), and two 283 cu in (4,640 cc) V8s: a “Turbo-Fire” twin-barrel carburetor producing 185 hp (138 kW) and a “Super “Turbo-Fire” four- …

How popular is the 1957 Chevy Bel Air?

1957 Chevy Bel Air Popularity

While Ford actually sold more full-sized cars for the 1957 model year than Chevy, the more than 700,000 Bel Airs built during that time confirm its popularity. In fact, Chevy sold more than 1.5 million A-body cars for 1957 when you include the 150 and 210 models.

Is a Bel Air a muscle car?

1955 Chevy Bel Air, “The Hot One”

Unlike its competitors, Chevrolet used a crisp and sharp design for the 55 Bel Air that earned it the “Hot One” title among the Chevrolet classic muscle cars.

How fast can a 1957 Chevy go?

With suitable gears the Corvette can approach 150 mph, as has been proven at Bonneville and at Daytona.

How heavy is a 57 Chevy Bel Air?

Curb Weight: 2364 lbs. Vehicle Length: 200 in. Wheel Base: 115 in.

What is the difference between 1957 Chevy 150 and 210?

The 150 trim is just a door spear & straight qtr. trim & short fin trim as the 210. The 150 2 door sedan had roll down windows & a back seat. The utility sedan had stationary back windows & no back seat, however you could order a back seat that could be put in & out quickly.

What is the average price of a 1957 Chevy?

Vehicle Valuation Analysis
Bodystyles Median Sale
Sedan $20,750
Sedan $37,500
Sedan $77,550
Station Wagon $48,400

How much is a 1955 Chevy Bel Air worth?

4 The Price In 1955

Considering the options the car came equipped with, its price seemed to be excused. Some models could be ordered with power windows, and also brakes, steering and seats were electrically powered. Now the price of a good condition Bel Air is set between $25,000 and $60,000.

How much is a 56 Chevy Bel Air worth?

Vehicle Valuation Analysis
Bodystyles Median Sale
Hardtop $33,625
Hardtop $33,000
HardTop $53,200
HardTop $26,000

How long is a 1957 Chevy Bel Air?

Dimensions
Exterior
Length : 200.0 in | 5080 mm.
Wheelbase : 115.0 in | 2921 mm.
Front Track : 58.0 in | 1473 mm.
Rear Track : 58.5 in | 1486 mm.

1957 Chevy Bel Air, Will It Run After 35 Years?! | Turnin Rust
1957 Chevy Bel Air, Will It Run After 35 Years?! | Turnin Rust


How Much Did Things Cost in 1957? Cost of Living in 1957 – Retirepedia

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  • Table of Contents:

The Cost of Living in the US 1957

The Average Cost of a Car in 1957

How Much Did a House Cost in 1957

7 Major Events in 1957

Conclusion

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How Much Did Things Cost in 1957? Cost of Living in 1957 - Retirepedia
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1957 Chevy Bel Air Vehicle History | GR Auto Gallery

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1957 Chevy Bel Air Vehicle History

Vehicle History

1957 Chevy Bel Air Vehicle History | GR Auto Gallery
1957 Chevy Bel Air Vehicle History | GR Auto Gallery

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MotorCities – A Legend Among the Classics: The 1957 Chevy | 2016 | Story of the Week

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MotorCities - A Legend Among the Classics: The 1957 Chevy | 2016 | Story of the Week
MotorCities – A Legend Among the Classics: The 1957 Chevy | 2016 | Story of the Week

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1957 Chevrolet Bel Air | Top Speed

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Exterior

Interior

Drivetrain

Prices

Competition

Conclusion

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air | Top Speed
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air | Top Speed

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How To Restore Your 1957 Chevy (book)

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How Much Did Things Cost in 1957? Cost of Living in 1957

Examining the cost of living in the US in 1957, it’s tempting to conclude things cost less. But various factors contributed to the cost of living in the US in 1957. And many more affected the rise in prices between then and now.

So, just how much was the cost of living in the US in 1957? From the cost of a loaf of bread to the 1957 Chevy Bel Air, here’s how much things cost in 1957.

The Cost of Living in the US 1957

To fully understand the cost of living in 1957, it’s helpful to understand how the year’s typical prices translate into modern money. While the figures might look insubstantial these days, anyone balancing books in 1957 doubtless felt the weight of the price of eggs, just as we do now.

The steady rise of inflation has meant that prices have risen over time. However, what does that mean for the cost of living in the US since 1957?

Since 1957, the cost of living in the US has increased by almost 844%. That makes comparing prices something of an apples and oranges comparison. Still, the best way to calculate price conversion between the cost of living in the US in 1957 and today is to use a complex interest formula.

This gives you:

Future value

Current value

Number of times interest is compounded

Interest rate/rate of inflation

If that looks daunting, remember that $1 in 1957 is worth roughly $9.44 today.

Even with the cost of inflation and monetary discrepancies explained, there are still other contributing factors to consider when assessing the cost of living in the US in 1957.

Notably, the cost of living created by race, ethnicity, and gender was higher in 1957 than today. Likewise, the positions available to different people were equally restrictive.

With that in mind, we took a look at the cost of living in 1957 and compiled a list of some of the figures our research turned up. While they must have seemed extortionate at the time, we think they’ll bring a smile to your face. Or perhaps even have you want to reach for a time machine.

The Cost of Food in 1957

As time moves forward, it’s not unusual to hear complaints about growing consumerism. This is especially true when it comes to food and our consumption of it. Yet, interest in what we eat and how much we spend on it didn’t develop overnight.

Here’s a look at the cost of some of America’s favorite foods in 1957.

The cost of a can of coke in 1957 was 5¢. Surprisingly, it managed to stay at 5¢ until the 1970s. However, this was only because the machines designed to dispense coke bottles for years would only accept nickels from buyers.

Likewise, the cost of a candy bar in 1957 was approximately 5¢. Unlike coke, however, not even vending machines could fix the price of a candy bar after 1957. As with many goods and foodstuffs, the 1957 price of a candy bar has steadily risen.

And if a nickel felt extravagant, it paled in comparison to the cost of a loaf of bread in 1957 as that would set you back $0.19¢.

By comparison, Burger King’s debuting specialty, the Whopper, cost a shocking 37¢. Sure, that might look like a drop in the ocean, but remember, $1 in 1957 was the equivalent to almost $10 today.

The Cost of Entertainment in 1957

Food wasn’t the only thing to contribute to the cost of living in the US in 1957. The cinema was increasingly popular, and baseball had taken America by storm.

Much as Americans must have wished it, neither of these indulgences came free. In fact, the typical cost of a movie ticket in 1957 was roughly 0.62¢. That’s nearly double the cost of the whopper burger! Presuming you went out for lunch before your trip to the pictures, expenses added up quickly.

If you’d have rather played a quiet baseball game with friends, the cost of a baseball bat in 1957 was, on average, $4.89.

The Average Cost of a Car in 1957

Then, as now, the cost of a car in 1957 depended on the make and model. Nevertheless, the average cost of a car was in the region of $15,000. That expense was compounded by

increased inflation on cars.

How Much Did a Cadillac Cost in 1957?

Also, in 1957, a Cadillac cost between $4,677 and $7,286.

How Much Does a 1957 Chevy Bel Air Cost?

Ever wondered how much did a 1957 Chevy cost in 1957? Well, the answer for the brand-new Chevy Bel Air would be $2,757. That’s $25,172 today. Meanwhile, to keep your car running, the average cost of gas in 1957 was $24.

How Much Did a House Cost in 1957?

But easily the highest expense you incurred was the purchase of a house. The cost of a house in 1957 ranged between $10-20,000. Not only is that considerably more today, but it was years of wages in 1950s money.

7 Major Events in 1957

In addition to the rising cost of living, there were other noteworthy events in 1957. It’s not a year that gets bandied about in the history books, but 1957 wasn’t exactly uneventful.

Globally, 1957 was the year:

Self-rule for Singapore

Outbreak of the Asian Flu Pandemic

The USSR launched Sputnik 1

More locally, 1957 witnessed:

I Love Lucy came to an end

Arkansas enforced legislature for the desegregation of schools

The Eisenhower Doctrine is passed

Baseball club Brooklyn Dodgers move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles

Self-Rule for Singapore

From its foundation, Singapore had been ruled by the British Empire as a colony. After World War II, however, there was increasing demand to move towards greater independence.

While talks about dissolving the colony were planned for 1956, they never materialized. Indeed, it wasn’t until Lim Yew Hock appeased Britain by leading a crackdown on local communists that independence for Singapore became a tangible possibility.

Finally, on April 11, 1957, Britain agreed in principle to approve a new constitution that would grant Singapore self-governance.

Outbreak of the Asian Flu Pandemic

Another serious event in 1957 was the outbreak of the Asian Flu Pandemic. The virus, known as H2N2, first appeared in East Asia and was documented for the first time in Singapore. By the summer, it had reached America.

In June, it began appearing in England, but the numbers didn’t start to rise dramatically until August. By September, the H2N2 virus had overtaken the rest of the United Kingdom and North America.

By 1958, global health authorities had traced the virus to a mutation stemming from ducks and begun to get the pandemic under control.

Sputnik 1

One of the most memorable moments of 1957 was the USSR’s launching of Sputnik 1.

Not only did it mark the beginning of the space race, but Sputnik 1 also had the distinction of being the first artificial satellite to reach space.

While it was a significant technological development, it ended up fueling fears in the US that the satellite had given the USSR a military or technological advantage. This concern would galvanize both superpowers to try and one-up each other over the next decade.

End of I Love Lucy

Not everything in 1957 was a global news event. 1957 also saw the conclusion of America’s beloved sitcom I Love Lucy.

Beloved by millions, the show proved to be hugely influential and was the first program to be filmed before a live audience. Unfortunately, as it progressed, the show became increasingly challenging for both actors and writers alike.

Six years in, with material wearing thin and the actors’ lives growing ever more complicated, Hollywood decided to end the show.

Related: Cost of Living in 1970

Arkansas Enforces Desegregation of Schools

On September 4, 1957, a white mob assembled to stop a group of black children, widely known as the ‘Little Rock Nine,’ from starting school with their peers. Shockingly, the state’s National Guard was ordered to prevent the children from attending the segregated school.

Urged to respond to the rising crisis in Arkansas, President Eisenhower federalized the state’s National Guard to support integration. As an added precaution, he also deployed the 101st Airborne Division to protect the Little Rock Nine throughout the school year.

The Eisenhower Doctrine Passed

In March 1957, the Eisenhower Doctrine was adopted. Essentially, it stipulated that Middle Eastern countries could request economic assistance from the US if they felt themselves to be under threat.

Further escalating the Cold War, Eisenhower drew particular attention to the USSR as a perceived regional threat. This was especially relevant after the 1956 Suez Canal Crisis when the USSR started to build an increasingly close relationship with Egypt.

Brooklyn Dodgers Leave Brooklyn

People looking to the Sears catalog to buy those $4 baseball bats in 1957 may have been interested to note that the storied Brooklyn Dodgers left New York State for Los Angeles.

Owner Walter O’Malley made the decision to uproot the team when Brooklyn refused to build a new stadium, something Los Angeles was happy to do.

Conclusion

Times have changed, and inflation has made a significant difference to the cost of living. But it’s interesting to note that, when looking back at 1957, the times aren’t changing as much as the old song says.

The cost of living in the US might look less expensive, but once inflation is factored in, we start to see that prices weren’t so different.

And while we’ve come a long way from incidents like the one at Little Rock, we’re once again living through a devastating pandemic.

Rose-tinted glasses have their place, but we would think carefully before stepping into that time machine. Modern living has its advantages.

Related: Cost of Living in 2000

1957 Chevy Bel Air Vehicle History

1957 Chevy Bel Air Vehicle History GR Auto Gallery Posted on 02-18-2022

1957 Chevy Bel Air

Vehicle History

When you think of America and what cars are at the pinnacle of excellence, there’s very few who wouldn’t mention the Chevrolet Bel Air. This iconic and unforgettable Chevy was built from 1950 to 1975 as a classic muscle car, both hardtop and convertible. The 1957 Chevy Bel Air, still known affectionately and simply as the ‘57 Chevy, was the last model year of the second generation before the car became longer and heavier in the third generation which started in 1958. It’s rare to find any enthusiast who wouldn’t have this car in their top classic cars of all time list!

Development and Release

The ‘57 Chevy came in several different body styles, namely: convertible, sport coupe, sport sedan, 4-door sedan, 2-door sedan, the 2-door Nomad wagon, and the Townsman 4-door station wagon. The first model in the second-generation Bel Air was the 1955 model, which had already received great reviews from various automotive publications. It was especially praised for its handling and on-road acceleration.

The ‘57 Chevy Bel Air saw an increase in the car’s engine power with a 283 cubic-inch (4.6L) V8 engine option that was actually one and the same with the same model-year Corvette. This V8 could generate up to 283-hp and 290 lb-ft of torque thanks to the inclusion of the Rochester Ramjet continuous mechanical fuel injection system. If you own a ‘57 Chevy with this specification, check out our classic car value guide because you have something rather special because this new engine specification wasn’t installed on the majority of ‘57 Bel Air models.

Paired with that first-time ultra-powerful engine was a 2-speed Powerglide transmission, or a 3-speed manual transmission, which was some of the most dynamic and sought-after auto equipment of its day.

Most important to understand about the second-generation models, and especially the 1957 Chevy Bel Air, is that these were designed with some of the most iconic features, like the Ferrari-inspired front grille, the rear tail fins inspired by the new age of jet engines in military aircraft, the rocket hood ornaments and the chrome headliner bands on the hardtop models. What it represented was the rising prosperity of the United States and the end of an era of austerity where cars were strictly functional.

The 1957 Bel Air had just as much chrome and fine finishing as a Cadillac Coupe DeVille, but also had much more pleasing lines with an irresistible dynamism that made it the original Chevy high-end car. Suprisingly, the 57 Bel Air is a fun time when it comes to classic car care. The somewhat unfortunate thing is that like many cars from the time, Chevrolet didn’t even know how good a thing they had made until much later. The Bel Air was a car of balance, symmetry, form, and function put together perfectly into a single machine. So much attention was paid to this sense of symmetry and balance, that the car even included 2 radio antennas at the back of the car, one by each matching tail fin.

A Collector’s Item

It may have been the last of the second generation, a seemingly obscure model year in a 25-year production history, but the 1957 Chevy Bel Air is considered the most iconic among the entire bunch. For that reason, it has become something of a collector’s item, and is commonly found at most classic car musuems. What’s more, it was the first car mass-produced after the Second World War that eventually became a collector’s item. So in many ways it’s also the ‘original’ collector’s car.

The good news is that in general there are many 57 Chevy models available because there were more than 1.5 million units of the 1957 model made in total. This means that is a surprisingly one of the more affordable classic cars in comparison to the popularity. Where it can get tricky is getting a particular type of Bel Air. The rarest model of all is the Bel Air 2-door Nomad Wagon, of which only 6,264 units were ever produced. The most common model is the Bel Air 4-door sedan, with a total of 264,449 produced in 1957. The Convertible only had 48,068 models made, making it significantly rarer, but at the same time so much more desirable if you live in a warm climate like southern California or Florida.

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Station Wagon

If you were to find one of these classic cars for sale today, you could be looking at a wide price range, depending on the specification and rarity. As we have mentioned, there are indeed plenty of ’57 Bel Air models around, but to get your hands on a pristine mint-condition 2-door Bel Air model, which is what most collectors are looking for, and preferably in the most iconic sky blue body color with white and chrome trim, is not an easy feat.

MotorCities – A Legend Among the Classics: The 1957 Chevy

A Legend Among the Classics: The 1957 Chevy

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher

Photos courtesy of the National Automotive History Collection

Posted: 08.29.2016

One of the most iconic vehicles in our automotive heritage and history would be the 1957 Chevrolet and Corvette models by General Motors.

The 1957 Chevrolet models are still one of the most popular and admired American automobiles in our culture. Car collectors and enthusiasts from all over the world still talk about the 1957 Chevy models. Although Ford out sold Chevrolet that year, the 1957 Chevrolet models are still on the list as being number one among classic car collector surveys and it has become a pop culture icon.

The 1957 models were introduced to the public by Chevy dealerships on Friday, Oct. 19, 1956. The models were introduced at the time offering 460 model-to-color combinations which many consumers liked. For example, a customer could order a model with a color called Imperial Ivory over Dusk Pearl or Larkspur Blue over Harbor Blue or Matador Red, which was a part of the solid and two-tone color combinations which were all popular in 1957.

Out of the 17 color combinations, seven were brand new for consumers. The models were available in the popular Bel Air series along with the Two Ten and One Fifty series. Chevy also produced a series of popular station wagon models including the Beauville, Two Ten Townsman, One-Fifty Handyman and the Nomad along with the great looking convertible models as well.

John Gunnell, former editor of “Old Cars Weekly,” said, “If any post-war car has earned classic status – this is the car.”

The 1957 Chevrolet also had many great, innovative features such as the Turboglide transmission which made for smoother shifting for the driver. The 1957 Chevy cars offered a 250 horsepower Ramjet V8 engine. It became available with all transmissions except overdrive in standard passenger cars, and with the close-ratio or Corvette type power-glide in Corvettes.

The fuel injection was a first in automotive progress for General Motors. It was the first fuel injection V8 available in a standard production passenger car. The Ramjet Fuel Injection with its great overall fuel economy led to outstanding overall performances for the driver. The Chevy look was freshened with the 1957 model with a sleek and new lowness and length of its lines with high-set rear fenders. One of the most popular 1957 Chevrolet models was the Bel Air convertible model which was one of the most luxurious convertible in its class. Today it’s one of the most expensive collector cars on the market.

The 1957 Corvette models were great looking vehicles. Those twin exhausts beneath the sleek rear end-design told a great story about many performances with its beautiful handling that matched its great automotive styling. The 1957 Corvette models was a two-passenger sport car that many consumers thoroughly enjoyed. The models had offered a 283 cubic inch V8 engine equipped with a Ramjet fuel injection.

The 1957 Corvette offered the consumer a choice of the standard four-barrel carburetor or dual four-barrel carburetors. It became a popular design with consumers and a fast car on the racing tracks among fans.

Advertising called the 1957 Corvette models “Toward an American classic… the 1957 Corvette with fuel injection.” The 1957 Corvette models were very similar to the 1956 model styling designs, however, the customers loved them.

Although sales of the 1957 Corvette models were not spectacular they were at least satisfactory with 6,246 models which were sold for a price tag of $ 3,465 dollars. In conclusion, the 1957 Chevrolet and Corvette models will always have their special place in automotive history.

A special thanks to Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher, for contributing this story to the MotorCities Story of the Week Program.

For further information on photos please visit http://www.detroitpubliclibrary.org/ or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please do not republish the story and/or photographs without permission of MotorCities National Heritage Area. (Bibliography: Ludvigsen, Karl; “Corvette America’s Star-Spangled Sports car the complete history.” Published by Automobile Quarterly publications.1973-1974; Dammann, H. George “Sixty years of Chevrolet” Crest Line publishing 1972.)

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