1957 Chevrolet Bel Air/150/210

VB57L199128

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RELISTING DUE TO NON-PAYING BIDDER Vehicle History: I know much of the early history of this car, but am unable to track down a couple of the owners due to restrictive new DMV rules regarding privacy. This wagon was built in the Van Nuys, CA plant on Mon., Aug 5th, 1957 (late in the model year) to a man who ran a gas station in Los Angeles. It was sold new by the A. E. Nugent Chevrolet dealership and spent about 20 years in the LA area before moving to Missouri. It spent most of the last 30 years in barns in MO and AR, and was sold by the last couple of owners due to deaths or serious illnesses. The last time it was registered and driven was in 2011 (see MO inspection sticker on the windshield). I have the original owner's manual, a photo of the car shortly after it was new, and a copy of the original sales invoice. I don't know the correct mileage, but I'm guessing it's 167k. It also comes with its original dealer key fob from Nugent Chevrolet Co. in LA, as well as its original ignition key. It still has an old California AAA sticker affixed to the windshield. Firewall Trim Tag Info: STYLE: 57-1062F (210 Four-door wagon, 6-pass), BODY: VN 10661 (Note: "661" is written in white chalk on the firewall), TRIM: 660 (Charcoal-Ivory), PAINT: 819C (Matador Red with white accent), ACC: EZI. Factory Options: It was originally equipped with a 283 4-barrel and a very rare factory overdrive transmission. It has factory tinted glass, and came with a driver's side rear-view mirror and whitewall tires, and was an extra-cost two-tone car. It is a radio-delete car. Condition: This car is amazingly original...I don't think you will be disappointed. The body is in incredibly good shape with only two rust-thru areas (one very small area on the inside of the tailgate which will be hidden once the tailgate's rubber mat is replaced), and an area of approx one square foot of the driver-side floor (see photo...easily repaired with a repro patch panel). Those are the only two rust-thru areas I have found on the car. The rest of the floors, the frame, bumper brackets and bumpers, inner fender and front splash pan are rock-solid. Look at the photos and you can see how rock-solid this car is. Even the vent tubes on the fresh air vents are solid and in good shape (which you almost never see on '57s), and the spare tire well is completely rust-free (another area that is usually rotted away in Tri-Fives). The interior has never been touched, and it still has much of its original rubber floor mat. The back seat folds down smoothly and is complete. The dash and door window frames still have their original factory paint (and some of the paint is cracked and the dash has surface rust here and there). It is missing the driver's door panel, has a torn front seat, the right front window is cracked, and the exhaust needs replaced (it still has most of the original dual exhaust system in place). The driver's window regulator is frozen in place (all others work fine), and the door panels are pretty-well shot. The engine turns over easily, and I think it would be easy to get it running again. It has surface rust underneath, but it is incredibly solid, a true Calif. car. The exterior has been repainted and the paint is presentable, but there are some areas on the roof where the paint has chipped away (it could use a repaint). All of the exterior trim is present and sitting in the cargo area waiting to be reattached. All tires hold air and the wheels turn freely...it rolls easily. The car still has the original trans, but the 283 was swapped for a 350 from a Chevy pickup sometime in the '80s. The swap was done by an experienced mechanic, and the engine ran in 2011. Original Items: Wheels (all 5 have original "GM" stamps), all 4 hubcaps are in nice shape with only minor imperfections, the factory jack is in beautiful condition, tinted factory glass all around, red-stripe heater hoses from 1957 (visible in one of the photos...60 years-old and they're still functional!), Delco master brake cylinder that is still painted gloss black and still has the rogianl brake lines, factory chalk marks that are plainly visible behind the distributor, one-piece California front bumper, wiring (appears complete and not butchered), Harrison stamped radiator that has never been recored, one of its original T-3 headlights, gas cap, all body panels (no evidence of any rust repair or replacement), front rubber splash guards held on with the original staples on the A-arms., all of the underdash sound deadener is still in place, glovebox and fresh-air vents are in great shape and are not reproductions. The cargo area is original and the wooden floor and rubber mat need to be replaced (reproduction pieces are available). Original Parts and Extras that come with the car: It comes with a correct 1957 283 engine block and most of the parts necessary to assemble a 283 engine (only the heads, air cleaner, crank and rods are missing)...see photos of included engine parts. It also includes the original 4-barrel intake and Carter WCFB carb with the original overdrive engagement switch. All wiring for the rare Borg-Warner overdrive trans is still in place. The transmission linkage is all there, and the trans shifts freely. Also included are 3 shop/ restoration manuals including a factory assembly manual. Also included is a complete stainless steel single exhaust I picked up cheap on Craigslist. I have most of the parts necessary for the grille assembly, including the parking light bar, an incorrect but nice gold grille, and some of the supports (I think the only part missing is the upper reinforcing bar). All wheels turn freely...no brake freeze. One tire is new...the others need replacement. The lights, turn signals, horns, rear license lamp, and brake lights work, and the engine turns over with a key (no battery is included). Contact and Payment Info: I can be reached at 614-769-5868 with any questions, and the car is in the Columbus, OH metro area for inspection prior to the end of the auction. I will assist with helping load the car for a shipper, but the shipping cost is up to the buyer. There is obviously no guarantee with a 60 year-old car, but rest assured it is exactly as I have represented it. A cash payment of $500 is required via Paypal within 24 hours of the end of the auction or I will relist the car. Full payment by cashier's check is due within 7 days of the close of the auction (funds must clear my bank before the car leaves with the buyer or shipper). The money will be cheerfully refunded if the buyer is unhappy with the car (look at my feedback...over 1,100 perfect transactions. I will store the car for free for up to 45 days to enable the buyer time to arrange shipping. Please text me or email me at alexznam357@yahoo.com and I'll be glad to discuss the car or send you more photos (texting is the best way to reach me as I can see you called and arrange a good time to talk). If you have less than 20 feedbacks, please call me before bidding. Thanks and happy bidding.