1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 4-Speed Project

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong.

The Generous Collection returns with Part 2 offering over 250 cars in August all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy.

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The iconic 1957 Chevrolet is celebrated for its jet-age tailfins, sweeping curves, and distinctive hood-mounted rockets. This landmark vehicle came in a variety of body styles — two- and four-door sedans, convertibles, and station wagons — but the Bel Air two-door hardtop was the most coveted.

The Bel Air’s pillarless silhouette was dressed in gleaming chrome, with gold accents highlighting the front grille, rear trunk lid, and fenders, and ornate side strakes featuring gold script and crests. And inside was a refined cabin, anchored by a large central speedometer, framed by a stylish steering wheel, and upholstered in high-end materials.

But the big revelation was its power: an inline-six was standard, but it was Chevy’s 265 or 283ci V8s, paired with either a 3-speed manual or 2-speed Powerglide automatic, that really raised eyebrows. A 1957 Popular Mechanics tester stated, “Chevrolet’s new V8 is smooth, quiet, and packs a wallop. The Bel Air is a car that looks as good as it goes.”

This example is dressed in black with black and silver upholstery, is equipped with 17” aftermarket wheels, and is powered a modified small-block V8 backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. It should be considered a project.

This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is now represented at no reserve by a Broad Arrow Specialist with a clean Alabama title in the current owner's name.

Highlights

• Offered from The Generous Collection

• Finished in black with black and silver upholstery

• Chevrolet V8

• Reportedly a 4-speed manual transmission

Factory Equipment

• Pillarless Sport Coupe styling

• Bel Air gold trim on grille, fender louvers, fins, hood, and trunk

• Bel Air stainless rear fin inserts and longer top fins

• Bel Air unique dashboard design with gold script

• 115” wheelbase and 200” body

• The chassis number (VC57A125972) decodes as:

  • V –V8 model

  • C – Bel Air

  • 57 – 1957

  • A – Atlanta, Georgia, assembly plant

  • 125972 – Sequential production number

Modifications

• 17” American Racing wheels

• Non-original V8 and 4-speed manual transmission

• Aftermarket intake manifold, carburetor, and air cleaner

• Alternator conversion

• Under-dash gauges

Known Imperfections

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of cars in this collection it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present in the cars.

• Paint shows wear, chips, and scuffs

• Front bumper and grille show imperfections

• Interior worn with ripped upholstery and stained carpet

• Driver side rear window is inoperable

• Images detailing the condition of the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air are presented in the gallery

Ownership History

This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air is offered from The Generous Collection of no-reserve automobiles.

Additional Information

Motor vehicles older than 35 years (1991) are exempt from Alabama’s titling requirements. In states that issue titles, an Alabama registration converts to a title upon transfer.

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Ramsey Potts Phone: 912.508.4096 Email: rpotts@hagerty.com

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide very limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential; however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require extensive additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite, between the hours of 9AM to 6PM local time beginning Monday, September 14 through Wednesday, September 30. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 14, and any lots remaining after September 30 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.