1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

General Motors's high-volume Chevrolet Division was known for producing value-rich, sensible automobiles. In 1955, this changed with the introduction of its restyled passenger car lineup. They were attractive and well-equipped with styling by Harley Earl inspired by GM's Motorama dream cars. Chevrolet Chief Engineer Ed Cole and his team backed up the elegance with the all-new small-block V-8 engine.

For 1956, full-size Chevrolet styling was mildly updated, followed in 1957 by jet fighter-inspired styling. Chevrolet's engineers continued their momentum with the constant development of the small-block engine, from the Power Pack with its four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, through the 225-horsepower dual-carbureted unit conceived by Zora Arkus-Duntov in 1956, which powered Duntov, Betty Skelton, and John Fitch to many speed records at Daytona Beach.

For 1957, the small-block engine grew to 283 cubic inches which transformed the Chevrolets into 'giant killers' on NASCAR ovals. The Rochester mechanical fuel injection unit, developed by John Dolza, offered precise fuel delivery and eliminated the usual fuel starvation and flooding normally encountered with carbureted engines. With the fuel injection system installed, the engine offered 250 horsepower with a hydraulic camshaft and PowerGlide automatic transmission.

After Ed Cole was promoted to general manager of Chevrolet in 1956, he hired Vince Piggins, the engineer behind Hudson's former NASCAR dominance. Piggins was moved to Atlanta, where he organized SEDCO (Southern Engineering and Development Co.) as Chevy's racing Skunk Works out of Nalley Chevrolet. While there, Piggins developed the Black Widow racing cars for 1957 and outlined an instruction manual on how dealers could build their own. Despite the success of this effort, the AMA (American Manufacturers' Association) racing ban halted Chevrolet's factory-backed racing program. Despite being forced underground, the Chevrolets would continue their winning ways - albeit on a more limited basis.

Few body parts of the 1957 models would interchange with the 1956 models. The new Chevrolet was available in three standard series, including the 150 which had four body styles, the 210 with eight, and the Bel Air with seven. There were 19 different combinations available. Chevrolet buyers could select the six or 265 V8 to half a dozen variations of the enlarged 283 engine. Additionally, there were 16 sold color choices and 15 two-tone combinations. Add them all together, and it equals a staggering 466 models and color amalgamations.

The new Chevrolet was one-and-a-half inches lower at the hood line and had a length of 200 inches. They had 14-inch tires, which lowered the stance compared to the previous year's model. Body changes were noticeable when compared to the 1955 to 1956 changes. They appeared longer, and the windshield was wider and taller. There was a lower and flatter hood with widely spaced twin rocket-shaped wind splits, air intakes incorporated into the headlight bezels, and a restyled front and rear. The new rear-end design included backup lights and taillights that blended into the rear bumper. The gas filler door was hidden in the trim. Bel Air models received aluminum side trim, giving the model the appearance of motion even while standing still.

1957 Chevrolet models included the entry-level One-Fifty, Two-Ten, Bel Air, and Corvette. With the Corvette being the exception, all 1957 Chevrolets were similar, distinguished by side trim treatment, chrome molding, interior appointments, and grille inserts. Body styles on the Bel Air included a two- and four-door sedan, Hardtop Sport Sedan, Hardtop Sport Coupe, convertible, station wagon, and Nomad. The sedan was the most popular with 254,331 examples built. 166,426 of the Hardtop Sport Coupe and 137,672 of the 4-door Hardtop Sport Sedan were constructed, and just 6,103 of the Nomad. Prices ranged from $2,290 for the sedan and similarly priced Hardtop Sport Coupe, and rose to $2,760 for the Nomad. The base eight-cylinder engine optional added approximately $100 to the base price.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2019