1957 Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210

Sedan

235 cid Blue Flame inline six

Manual

B57T209210

Clear

Re-listed due to previous winning bidder being unable to secure funds. Up for auction (no reserve) is a sweet running, HIGHLY original, low mileage 1957 Chevy 210. The 210 was situated between the entry level 150 and the higher end Bel Air trim levels. This is a desirable two-door post car, with a manual transmission (3 speed on the column or "three on the tree") backing the original, smooth-running 140hp Blue Flame inline six. Sure, GM made a lot of 1957 Chevys, but unmolested cars like this are becoming hard, if not impossible, to find these days. The original interior is in excellent shape and most of the paint appears original too. The factory stainless steel VIN tag and aluminum firewall data plate remain in place. The data plate decodes as Harbor Blue exterior with light blue vinyl and blue cloth interior, which is as the car sits today. The contrasting white top and white painted strakes are correct for a 210. It's hard (for me) to put a value on such an original car, but the NADA Classic value guide for a 1957 Chevy 210 two door sedan with six cylinder engine is ~$13-26k, with an average retail price of $17.5k. Condition:The interior appears to be original and is in very nice condition, with no rips or tears in the seats. This car left the factory without a radio or seat belts, and it has remained that way since. I believe a good portion of the paint on the car is original (save for perhaps the driver's front quarter lower side, which has a little more shine to it...although any repaint there is still very old given the patina) and the only rust on the body is surface rust where the paint has come off over time (top passenger side of roof and behind driver's door on the side, see photos). The jams, sills, floors, drip rails and trunk are all very dry. The only area really needing attention is the driver's rear door jam area (see photos). The frame is very dry as well, seeming to benefit from factory undercoating from new and low miles. Wheels appear to be original 14" body colored pieces. This is a 66 year old, unrestored car, which means it has a few dents and trim dings here and there, and a rock chip in the front windshield, which I have tried to highlight in the photos. The body dents are confined to a pair of fist-sized ones, one between the lower front of the passenger door and the lower back edge of the front wheel opening, and the other at the rearmost edge of the white side strake on the passenger side; both are visible in the side photos. The chrome is all in excellent condition, save for a ding/crack in the front bumper, just below the passenger side headlight. After I took these photos I adjusted the front rubber hood stop on the driver's side, which brought the hood down in line with the front bumper trim and closed up the gap seen in the photos. Current mileage is right at 64,500, but may be a few over that by auction's end. I put ~500 miles on the old girl last month in 90+ degree Georgia heat and she didn't skip a beat; the original "57A" date-coded radiator performed beautifully, thanks to a re-core (3 core) in 2007. The brakes are the original, non-power-assisted drums. They work well on this car, although a quick stab can result in an initial pull left or right. The three speed manual is synchromesh only in 2nd and 3rd gears, which means shifting into first can take some practice to avoid crunching. Steering is very good for a car of this vintage with very little "sawing" of the wheel required (see video). I installed an Optima Red Top battery two years ago. The charging system is still the original 12V generator type and it works perfectly. New points were installed earlier this year. All lights/blinkers work, including the glove box and dome lights. The original headliner has seen better (read: cleaner) days, but it's still up there and not sagging. There's a mouse hole between the front sun visors. All four side window cranks and vent window cranks work as they should. The original one barrel carb comes with the car, but it is currently fitted with a two barrel unit with progressive throttle linkage. The weatherstripping is crumbling or has rotted away completely in a few places. There is a single key for glove box, trunk and door locks. The same trunk/door key will "fit" into the ignition cylinder, but the ignition switch will turn and start the car with or without a key. Terms and conditions:The '57 is sold on a bill of sale and a current Georgia registration in my name. It does not have a title as GA does not require them for cars of this vintage. No warranty is expressed or implied; this unrestored, vintage Chevy is sold as-is. I will not ship the car, but I will make myself available to meet with the shipper of your choice. I would not hesitate to fly in and drive this car cross country if you have the time. It has been stone reliable for me and is in great working order. The Corvette-style dog dish poverty caps shown on the car are NOT included in the auction. A set of fully size Chevy wheel covers fitted in the sixties are included with the sale. If you really like the dog dish caps, contact me and maybe we can work out a deal, but they are also readily available on eBay. I can deliver it to the port in Savannah, GA if it's going overseas, and of course once all funds have cleared. Your bid is a commitment to buy, not an option to buy, so please ask any and all questions before bidding and have funds arranged in advance. I encourage would-be buyers to see the car first hand (by appointment) if at all possible. I reserve the right to end this auction at any time and for any reason. For some recent footage of the car on the road, please see "1957 Chevy 210 Time Capsule" on my youtube channel, BellmouthRacing. Check my feedback and bid with confidence. Good luck!