1957 CHEVY BEL AIR 4 DOOR PILLARLESS HARDTOP
HIGHLIGHTS: – Full body off chassis restoration – Pillarless, four-door body style – Desirable black over red colour combination – Factory 283ci V8 engine – Two speed Power Glide automatic – All new chrome and stainless trim – Wide white wall tyres and factory hubcaps
This 1957 Chevrolet Belair Pillarless hardtop has been through a full nut and bolt, ground up restoration. The pillarless hardtop is a bit of a sweet spot in the 57 Chevy range with the cool lower roof line and pillarless windows of the coupe but the practicality of a four door.
This car was purchased by the current owner in 2006 after a long search to find a good original example. The car was found in California and sent over to Australia to be with the new owner in Toowoomba. The car was unrestored but a very very nice example, even picking up a couple of trophies at local shows prior to the restoration. Over time a few spots in the bonnet and boot lid began to craze in the paint so the owner decided to pull it off the road for what was intended to be a simple repaint but escalated into a full blown restoration.
The body of the car was stripped bare and went off to be sandblasted back to bare metal. Only a very small number of minor repairs were required around the boot area and a small area under the side flash trim. The necessary repairs were completed and the car was fully repainted in its original colour of Gloss Black. At the same time all of the chrome or stainless trim was either refinished or replaced. The original steel wheels were sandblasted and repaired with original style hucaps fitted. The old school bias ply white walls were exchanged for modern radial wide white walls sourced through Antique Tyres.
With the outside of the car looking so nice, the original interior although in great condition, just wasn’t cutting it. The decision was made to give the car a complete new interior back to factory in its original red and black colour scheme. The whole dash was fully restored and the carpets, door trims, headliner and seats completely refinished. Likewise, the boot has the factory style mat in place with spare stye including matching white wall and jack.
Under the bonnet live the factory 283ci V8 engine that has been fully rebuilt. The engine bay is restored to a factory presentation with original style valve covers and air cleaner. The original generator has been replaced with a Powermaster alternator that looks like the original item. The engine is paired to a column shifted, two-speed Power Glide automatic transmission and power is fed to the rear wheels through the original differential, both of which have been fully rebuilt. Cooling has been upgraded with a new radiator and electric thermos fan. Everything under the car has been gone through during the restoration with all new or refurbished brake and suspension components used.
This is a gorgeous example of an iconic American Classic cruiser. The car has been completely restored from the ground up and has only travelled approximately 4,000 miles since completion in 2012.
PLEASE CALL LOCKY MCCANN WITH SALES ENQUIRIES ON 0403 935 488
IMPORTANT: Vehicle information is provided to us by the consignee. We do everything we can to qualify the best cars in the Australian market to represent on consignment for private sellers however, they are still old cars and we can’t capture everything in the photos, we don’t drive them any significant distance and can’t know everything about them. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied themselves as to the condition and value and to purchase based upon that judgement solely. Vehicles may have been sitting for some time and it is suggested that to protect your investment, you allow to change fuel, oil, fluids, filters and inspect brakes prior to use. All vehicles are sold under standard auction conditions, consignment and auction vehicles are sold as is, without registration unless otherwise stated and there is no cooling off period or warranty expressed, written or implied. All sales are final. Independent inspections are welcome and strongly encouraged to help with your decision making.
Located at 2 Palings Court, Nerang on the Gold Coast. Inspections by appointment during auction and public openings/viewing as advertised.
