Why the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Is An Icon

[Music] the 1957 Chevrolet or 1957 Chevy which it is more commonly called was the first mass-produced American car built after World War two to rise to the level of a collector car by the 1970s two-door 1957 Chevy models in mint condition were encountering skyrocketing prices as car collectors started to regard the 57 Chevy as one of the most beautifully styled cars built after World War two even today with the recent rapid rise in values of classic American muscle cars mint conditioned 1957 Chevy's have continued to rise in value even though they are not as high as the high-dollar classic muscle cars 1957 Chevy values have never been higher in order to fully understand the appeal of the 1957 Chevy we have to rewind back before World War two when during the 1930s the United States was in the clutches of the Great Depression which forced most cars during this period to be utilitarian with function being their main purpose styling was now far down the priority list after World War two a long period of prosperity began in the United States and US automakers would turn towards styling to sell cars starting in the late 1940s the jet age name was applied to this period of time in America with the advent of jet engine powered airplanes which at the time were military aircraft in the US ten years later US passenger jet travel service would begin it was during this jet age that u.s. automobile designers began to integrate jet airplane influenced design themes into production cars rear tail fins which mimicked airplane tail fins were found on many of the late these American cars it would be a temporary trend that would by the arrival of the 1960s fade very quickly Chevrolet's most prominent tail fins were found on its 1957 Chevy which was available in four different trim models the 152 10 del Rey and bel-air all were available in a two-door or four-door configuration there were also different 1957 Chevy station wagon models however it's the two-door 1957 Chevy Bel Air that is the most revered and this even includes the low production two-door 1957 Chevy Bel Air nomad wagon the two-door 1957 Bel Air was also available in a two-door sedan two-door sport coupe and 2-door convertible Chevrolet back in the 1950s was a budget automaker making cars for the average buyer the 1957 Chevy Bel Air had as much chrome and decorative bodywork as a 1957 Cadillac yet its body lines were more attractive the Bel Air was Chevrolet's upscale car Chevrolet seemed to hit the perfect balance with the 1957 Bel Air styling with lavish chrome and bodywork and beautifully styled body panels the crazy outlandish tail fins were the cornerstone of this body design the design is so perfect even Chevrolet at the time of its production didn't realize how special it was until many years later with the 1957 Bel Air form came before function whether originally intended by Chevrolet this car was the perfect work of art even though the 152 10 and Delray were attractive they were more pedestrian and didn't have all the Bel Air's fancy exterior trim one of the hidden design elements with the 1957 Chevy that complemented the Bel Air's upscale exterior trim was its perfect symmetry there were two chrome rocket hood ornaments two headlights two front bumper rets two tail fins and even two radio antennas which were optional these gave the two door bell air that perfect balance of aesthetics even the fuel tank filler cap is located behind the driver's side rear taillight area trim so it didn't ruin the overall lines of the car the perfect balance of aesthetics also apply to the colorful and roomy interior space and the tastefully done - layout the 1957 Bel Air was standard with a 140 horsepower 250 cubic inch blue flames six-cylinder engine a 162 horsepower to 65 cubic inch v8 was optional however the really good news was the introduction of Chevrolet's new 283 cubic inch v8 there were six different versions of this engine available in the Bel Air ranging from 185 to 283 horsepower the best were the 270 horsepower 283 v8 with dual four-barrel carburetors and the fuel-injected 283 horsepower 283 v8 both of these were available in the 1957 Corvette and were very potent when available with the floor mounted four-speed manual transmission which was available during the second half of the 1957 model year in the Bel Air and other full-size 1957 Chevy's the 1957 Bel Air was offered with a three-speed manual transmission or a three-speed manual with overdrive also available was a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission it's safe to say that Chevrolet will never produce another car like the two-door 1957 Bel Air it's a time capsule of a bygone era it's a rolling mono Lisa that will keep increasing in value as the years pass thank you so much for your support of this channel please subscribe since your support is the reason this channel is a success and please make sure to click on the bell icon so that you never miss a new video release [Music] [Applause] [Music]

Channel: OldCarMemories.com

Views: 162,494

Rating: 4.9098749 out of 5

Keywords: 1957, 1956, 1955, Tri-Five, 150, 210, Delray, Bel Air, 250, Blue Flame, V8, 265, 283, 270 horsepower, Rochester, Fuel Injection, 4-barrel, Carburetor, Chevrolet, Chevy, 1950s, Icon, 283 horsepower

Id: QClIrpW6x-Q

Length: 7min 52sec (472 seconds)

Published: Wed Mar 14 2018