Just made a deal on this project car for the wife and looking for opinions as to value. Of course value may vary in different parts of the country but for being in NH it's one of he most solid 57s I've seen in a long time. Non-original straight 6 engine (running) with PG trans but has std pedals intact. Had a BB and 4 speed at one time. VERY solid body with the only rust being the trunk pan which is shown in one of the pics and a baseball size hole in the floor. Great frame & the rest of the body is pretty clean. Needs interior redone. All the trim comes with the car and is presentable. Needs very little as far as panel replacement but has surface rust here & there, mostly on the roof. I guess value isn't all that important since she already knows about it so there's no turning back now and I'm picking the car up next weekend but it would be nice to know how you guys think I did. After I get a few opinions I'll tell ya what I have in it... It was a trade deal so no definate cash number but I know what the stuff I traded is worth. Now the biggest problem will be that when I go to work on my Camaro I'll be hearing about why I'm NOT working on her car... Honestly she's a keeper and we'll be out in the shop working on both of them together and she's a 57 model herself so this is her dream car. Thanks. http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg163/nhbandit/DSC00218.jpg
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The drivers door & passenger front fender that are missing in the pics do come with the car and are in good condition.

Looks like a nice solid project.

What are you plans for the car Mark? Restore to original or Prostreet it?...There was a nice black Prostreet that sold at Barrett Jackson last year for $155k....

I have no clue what the values of those are "project wise".... I'd ask my dad but he has no clue.. he sold his 2 door 56 convertible belair to his friend in the early 70's for 400 dollars in payments. Way to go dad.

What are you plans for the car Mark? Restore to original or Prostreet it?...There was a nice black Prostreet that sold at Barrett Jackson last year for $155k.... Well it's the wifes car so it's up to her but what I'm hearing so far is that she wants to keep it looking mostly stock but with some nice wheels and just drive it with the 6 cylinder that's in it for now. It's not the original engine or trans so restoring it isn't an option. Maybe swap in a smallblock & 4 speed later on.

You could restore it. Chevy did not put VIN numbers on engines and parts back then just date codes. That didn't start until the early 60's. You could find a date coded 283 and shove it in there with a 4 spd if you are really wanting to be stock. I think they look better hot rodded. I also think tri-fives are as valuable modified as they are stock, unless its a convertible. Sky is the limit on this thing, nice score.

Only 4-speeds in '57 passenger cars were dealer installed. The part about 'modified' being as valuable, is true, especially for 2-dr sedans. They make *great* street cars, don't rattle like hardtops and convertibles. :) Keep the body stock, add good disk brakes, F/R sway bars, a shock bar in the rear (to get the shock mounting off the body), vintage air/cond, power steering (605?), and whatever transmission your wife wants. Classic Chevy International probably has anything/everything you need whichever way you go...

Only 4-speeds in '57 passenger cars were dealer installed. The part about 'modified' being as valuable, is true, especially for 2-dr sedans. They make *great* street cars, don't rattle like hardtops and convertibles. :) Keep the body stock, add good disk brakes, F/R sway bars, a shock bar in the rear (to get the shock mounting off the body), vintage air/cond, power steering (605?), and whatever transmission your wife wants. Classic Chevy International probably has anything/everything you need whichever way you go... That's our thoughts exactly at the moment (but you know how women can change their minds) Stock looking body but modern upgrades to the chassis, maybe some old school 5 spoke mags and a mild smallblock with a 4 speed. She's a 4 speed kinda girl and thinks automatics are boring and I do have a spare Muncie under the bench. The car has a powerglide in it now but has a clutch pedal & std brake pedal. Firewall shows the telltale dent in the middle from having a big block in it at some point in it's 52 year old life. I did some good old fashioned horse trading to get it but value wise I have around 4k in it. Did I do ok ?

Sounds about right to me *S*

Man you did great for 4k..nice buy and good luck with your project tri years get costly to redo!!

I have one of those 57 2dr. sedans.......Looks like a fantastic project.

Gotta love them.
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BelairBob, what's says you?

you did good for 4K worth of parts. I spent 10K last June, on a running driving '56 with no rust, 6 cylinder and 3 speed. So you did pretty well.

Been there, done that with the Tri Fives. Sold my last one a few years back, kept the exterior retro but all running gear was late model stuff. The last one I had , was a BelAir Sedan. Best riding cruisng car I ever had. Door frames help seal off all wind noise. I paid a little more (7500) for mine but did not have to replace any metal. It was basically dried out as all rubber was , including paint. These sedans , slammed, prostreeted, seem to live for ever. Lots more room in these cars for long cruising and people.

Well the car was delivered this afternoon. The wife has been on her computer ever since looking for parts. It's got a period correct 6 cylinder & cast iron Powerglide in it now that is supposed to be good working stuff so the plan is to do the body work first and leave it in running condition for the time being. Next step is to order up a bunch of sheet metal.