Built during an era when chrome and fins were in, the 1957 Chevy is an iconic representation of an era where technical innovation rode hand-in-hand with cutting edge style. The always popular Tri-five Chevy series received an annual cosmetic make over between 1955 and 1957 as American auto makers battled it out to appease the American car enthusiast.
Attention to detail was the name of the game during the comprehensive nut and bolt restoration of this 1957 Chevy . This multi-year, high dollar restoration is immaculately displayed from front-to-rear, top-to-bottom. Every nook and cranny was touched and all of the mechanical and electrical details were attended to resulting and a classy, but tastefully upgraded piece of automotive art.
As with all quality restorations, one of the keys to achieving high end results with the body and frame is to have them stripped down to bare metal at the start of the restoration. This restoration did not vary from that methodology. From this point, the car was put in an Epoxy primer, the gaps were set, and then the car was blocked out which is essential in achieving laser straight body work. Many cars look good from a street level angle, however, the exceptional body work on this 1957 Chevy looks good from all view points. The amount of time and patience it takes to achieve a finish of this quality is often overwhelming and far outside the budget of most projects. The paint job itself is base/clear Dusk Pearl which has been wet sanded and then buffed to a mirror finish. The pictures do not do this car justice and the discriminating Chevy enthusiast will not be disappointed.
The ’57 has the look of a brand new vehicle, which is a combination of excellently prepped panels and other cosmetic details that are new from front to rear. For example, all of the stainless trim on the car is brand new, high quality, mint stuff. All of the chrome is new triple plate as well – none of that cheap aftermarket chrome. Every screw, nut and bolt has been off the car and either replaced, or refinished and all of the tinted glass has been replaced.
Slide into the interior and it’s a time warp to a Chevy showroom floor in the late 1950’s. The interior features all new parts, both soft and hard. All of the soft parts are from Legendary, a company that makes some of the best reproduction interiors in the business that are as high quality as they are accurate. On the dash sits a custom set of Classic Industries gauges, a classically styled modern upgrade that fits right in. Notice the totally restored Wonder Bar Radio that works just like it did back in the day. In addition to this radio is a Secret Audio System sporting both a 400w and 100w amp. The amps power a four speaker system and two sub woofers that sound fantastic.
The suspension is completely rebuilt from front to rear and uses 2" drop spindles in the front. The rear end uses Delco air shocks and a set of powder coated traction bars. The power steering systems is by Classic Performance and functions like a dream. She is easy to steer and smooth as butter, just like the original, but a little bit sharper with a tighter steering ratio. The Chevy rides on a set of pristine American Racing Torque Thrust 2’s and those tried and true BF Goodrich TAs. When you need to throw on the brakes, the 4 wheels power discs will make it happen in a hurry, and there is a line lock button on the shifter for you hot rodders.
The motor is a custom built 350 that has been bored and stroked to 383 CI using 5.7 rods. The block has 4 bolt mains, and Keith Black Pistons with moly rings. Also included is a hydraulic roller Comp Cam, a Holly HP 750 carb with electric choke, MSD Ignition, MSD Blaster Coil and Taylor Plug wires. The motor exhales through a set of Sanderson Ceramic headers and a very nice custom exhaust. Keeping everything cool is a Matson Radiator with dual Spal puller fans and a chrome water pump. Ensuring motor longevity is a Melling oil pump. This Classic Chevy set is is both reliable and powerful and in the perfect motor for this cruiser. Running the car through the gears is a Super T-10 shifter with a Hays clutch, pressure plate and flywheel. Outback in the rear axle is a set of Auburn gears with 3.55 Posi-traction gears. If you really want to hear the motor roar, just crack open the Doug’s exhaust dumps!
For the Chevy enthusiast looking for a car that tastefully blends modern technology with that classic Chevy look, this 1957 Chevy is jewel to behold and a dream to drive.
