This is the kind of stuff that people actually watch and are interested about and enjoy watching, Really appreciate the continuous work and effort that you put into making these magnificent reviews my buddy Rick and I'll always support you, No other channels feature these old gems from the golden era for Automobiles, Everybody is busy with today's carp of cars the laptop's on wheels, So your channel is a breath of fresh air ❤🌷.
I was born in 1957. My father was a Chevrolet salesman. When I was in my teens he told me the 57’s didn’t sell. They were crushed by the Dodge and Plymouths and Ford outsold them too. He said the 57’s sold well as a used car because they were reliable, well built, and didn’t rust anywhere near as bad as the competition. He said on a quiet night you could hear Chrysler products rust. The 57 chassis was also the best for stock car racing well into the 60’s. One interesting note is you could order a right hand drive 57 and my father did sell a two door RHD to a women who immigrated from England.
You are correct about MoPar rust and poor build quality, sadly, because they had engineering advantages with torsion aire that gave best ride and handling. Engines and transmissions were good, but the build quality ruined what could have been the best cars of the late 50’s. Chevies had reliable mechanical components (except for the new Turboglide), and Ford had problems with the Y- blocks. Chevy wasn’t as extreme or even as innovative but they had a good balance and did most things well with the 57.
I was a 19 year old teen when this beautiful car came out. Couldn’t afford it but sure wanted one. Finally 40 years later I was able to purchase a classic.
My 3rd grade teacher bought a new 210; I thought it was so cool. Little did I know, 13 years later, on my return from Vietnam, I bought a nice used 57 4-door Belair -one of the best cars I ever owned - don't I wish i had it back now...
Thanks, Rick, really enjoy your channel! My 9yr older brother had a 57, but me, I wanted a sleeper! A 69 Chevelle 2d hdtp 350 4spd, 300hp! Many people were fooled by that car. At 3460#, it was quick, and many guys saw only my taillights!
To me and all my motor head buddies growing up in the early 60s, the 57 Chevy Bel-airs were the most beautiful cars ever sold. That’s not say that 55 & 56 weren’t good looking; but the 57 was in a word gorgeous in motion and sitting still. And to me personally: the little touches like the gas fillers being hidden in trim, fender skirts, and hidden cabin air intakes were just icing on the cake.
Rick, Thanks for the great videos. I really enjoy your Chevy ones. I actually like them all, but I like Chevy's more. Keep up the great work. My favorite was the 1958. They were all nice and from a lost era.
I went with my Dad who was shopping for a newer car for the family because the car we had in 1966 had a slipping transmission problem. My Dad bought a used ‘64 Impala two door sport coupe and the trade in was a ‘55 Bel Air two door sport coupe in two tone coral and dark grey. I sure would like to have that car today and for heaven sake have the Powerglide transmission repaired.
My first car at age 16 (1968) was a 57 Chevy 150 two door post coupe. Bought from a little old lady for $135. It was a light rose color with the standard black/white/gray interior. The 6-cylinder was firing on five and a half cylinders at 52k miles. Only options were automatic transmission, am radio and heater! She flawless served me, my brother and then my mother for 9 years with only careful maintenance. When I was 18 and working in a gas station, I spotted a blue metal flake 57 Chevy 150 with chrome rims, a California rake in the rear and a beautiful black Tiajuana tuck and roll interior parked behind the station. The manager said it has a blown engine and the father was super angry at his son and would take the first $50 to come along! I bought it on the spot, then bought a used 283 cu in for $25 and rebuilt it after hours in the shop. Dropped in the engine and had a screaming, awesome ride for a total of $75 and a few hours labor. Other than the rich crowd, I was the envy of my high school. Sold it 2 years later for a 1963 split window Corvette that cost me $850 !!! Those truly were the days.
I had a friend who ordered a new 57 Chevy with all the options, including positrac. When it arrived at the dealer the window sticker didn’t list position. The dealer insisted it had it. The buyer took delivery and parked the front end against a dirt bank and spun the wheels (or wheel in this case) he returned the car and had the dealer re-order one with post-trac. He had to wait quite a while for it. The dealer wasn’t happy, but since the owner was in the habit of buying a new car every year they recorded it.
A great classic car! They became cruisers from the 60's on! My Dad had one exactly like yours from 1962-67. Same colors without the fender skirts. Just clear parking lights. Amber didn't come out until 1963. I wish I could have bought his when he sold it but I was only15 then. Now I have another Chevy classic, the 1969 Chevelle SS396 375HP. Another great cruiser!
I was born in May '57, and Its always been my favorite Chevy, and no, that's not the reason. It's all the reasons you mention Rick, of course. Chevy really wanted the '58 for that year because of the all-new Ford and Plymouth going up against it. Instead they had to "make do" with the same basic car for a 3rd year. So they changed everything they possible could to give the illusion it WAS as new as the competition, and that included a barrage of TV and print ads the actually all-new '58 and '59 Chevy's didn't get! The rear quarter panel on the '57 is very wide, so it looks sleek because you have a sleek area above and below the aluminum siding, which was sleek itself. The eye is focused on that by an optical illusion sleight of hand. My only wish on the '57 is that the hood and hood ornament of the '55 and '56 would have been retained on the '57 instead of the separate gun-slits. But like I said, the instructions were to change everything they could to make it look different, and they did. Also, I HATE fender skirts on so many these cars, the ugly bumper guards (front & back), the big geeky side mirrors, and the g-- damn continental kit. I get they were legit options for these cars (unfortunately), but that doesn't mean they don't look terrible. Definitely a case of less is more. That junk detracts from the beauty of this car.
My dad brought home a new 57 cheby how exciting he returned it-reason:it handled poorly-and bought a 56 FORD,drove it for years (I always thought 57 chebys had a Clown look with bad handling
@@bradzimmerman3171 I'm sorry to hear that, Brad. Did he test drive the Chevy though in advance of purchasing it, to rule out that possibility in advance? The '56 Ford is a beautiful car, and I'm glad he was happy with it. Just wondered which aspect of the '57 Chevy did you find clownish? I know for myself, I find gender skirts, continental kits, and the vertical bumper guards to make it appear clownish. Definitely a case of less is more.
1957 was such an exciting year for new cars! Ironically , Chevy was the least dramatically changed. Plymouth was radically restyled with even more graceful styling and swooping fins,with torsion aire ride and best handling. Ford was also completely restyled with new trim lines and had better ride and handling, Chevy didn’t do anything as different but what they did , they did well.. it wasn’t much better or worse than competitors but it all came together well.
In the very early 60s when I was just starting school if not before the 57 Chevy was my favorite car, I told my family it would be a classic. Looks like I was right.....again. And back then people were not even talking about classics. My uncles first car was a brand new 57 Chevy. Our family car at the time was a 55' Oldsmobile Rocket 88 2dr/ht. Another 50s classic but nowhere the level of the 55-57 Chevies.
With the '57 it's the headlight design. The rest of the car has great proportions and even on the mechanical end, but the light design is crucial. Similar aesthetic GM lights: '65 Impala, '68/'69 Chevelle/Malibu, and '57 Chevrolet truck. Each of these GMs also had the proportions to maximize the design of those sort of 'cat eye' lights. Those who understand this aesthetic aspect have tried to incorporate it into other models, such as square-body & 68 thru 72 GM trucks by affixing VW bug headlight trim rings to frame those truck headlights.
Great review. At the time, my dumb self was into the Ford Fairlane 500. Ford and Plymouth rusted faster than the payment coupons could be mailed in. By, say 1963 or so, a '57 Chev was still a great used car. By that time I was into TR4 (junk) and then settled on VWs.
I've looked and looked for years, and still fail to see the attraction to '55, '56', '57 Chevys. The '57 Ford had it ALL over the '57 Chevy. Ah, but Chevrolet turned it around in '58 and blew Ford out of the water. The '58 Chevy is a gorgeous car.
I can think of a few cars from 1957 I would rather have: Continental MK II, Eldorado Biarritz, Thunderbird, Roadmaster, Century, Lincoln Capri, Oldsmobile 98, Corvette. If I EVER see another tri-five Belair again, it will be too damned soon. I am so tired of them.
The dash on the 59 goes right back to the 57. Except for the Impala, the 58 was a dud, as were all the GM cars. Oddly enough, 'i owned several 57 GM cars - my first car was a 57 Olds, then a 57 Chevy, then a 57 Star Chief - the Chevy was the best of the bunch.
Unfortunately Plymouth didn’t realize their 1960 models were not ready to be released in 1957, despite what the ads said. Much better engineered and better looking than the Chevy, but the Chevy was better built.
To be honest the dash of the 57 is ugly. The car outside is just beautiful. Look where they went just 3 years later . The 1958/1959/1960 were hideous no wonder the 57 stands out.
Yup, ugly as ever dashes from 57-60... Then in following years GM dropped it's 283 because it was the perfect "problem free" engine. They then replaced it with the 305 307 which were not so perfect, like a weaker cam shaft that wore out in a short time. Guys would be installing better camshafts/lifters to make them run better, more efficient, more power.
This is the kind of stuff that people actually watch and are interested about and enjoy watching, Really appreciate the continuous work and effort that you put into making these magnificent reviews my buddy Rick and I'll always support you, No other channels feature these old gems from the golden era for Automobiles, Everybody is busy with today's carp of cars the laptop's on wheels, So your channel is a breath of fresh air ❤🌷.
I was born in 1957. My father was a Chevrolet salesman. When I was in my teens he told me the 57’s didn’t sell. They were crushed by the Dodge and Plymouths and Ford outsold them too. He said the 57’s sold well as a used car because they were reliable, well built, and didn’t rust anywhere near as bad as the competition. He said on a quiet night you could hear Chrysler products rust. The 57 chassis was also the best for stock car racing well into the 60’s. One interesting note is you could order a right hand drive 57 and my father did sell a two door RHD to a women who immigrated from England.
You are correct about MoPar rust and poor build quality, sadly, because they had engineering advantages with torsion aire that gave best ride and handling. Engines and transmissions were good, but the build quality ruined what could have been the best cars of the late 50’s. Chevies had reliable mechanical components (except for the new Turboglide), and Ford had problems with the Y- blocks. Chevy wasn’t as extreme or even as innovative but they had a good balance and did most things well with the 57.
I was a 19 year old teen when this beautiful car came out. Couldn’t afford it but sure wanted one. Finally 40 years later I was able to purchase a classic.
My 3rd grade teacher bought a new 210; I thought it was so cool. Little did I know, 13 years later, on my return from Vietnam, I bought a nice used 57 4-door Belair -one of the best cars I ever owned - don't I wish i had it back now...
Thanks, Rick, really enjoy your channel!
My 9yr older brother had a 57, but me, I wanted a sleeper!
A 69 Chevelle 2d hdtp 350 4spd, 300hp! Many people were fooled by that car. At 3460#, it was quick, and many guys saw only my taillights!
Rick, you do a great job on these tri five, my favorites. I used to watch you here in Phx on the local news !
I love your new videos Rick. I click immediately and encourage more please. ✌️
That's true ❤.
Such a great narrative! How much study must have gone into developing it. Also the transition in the decade of trims, fins, options.... wow!
Thank you, Rick, for this segment.
To me and all my motor head buddies growing up in the early 60s, the 57 Chevy Bel-airs were the most beautiful cars ever sold. That’s not say that 55 & 56 weren’t good looking; but the 57 was in a word gorgeous in motion and sitting still. And to me personally: the little touches like the gas fillers being hidden in trim, fender skirts, and hidden cabin air intakes were just icing on the cake.
Wouldn't it be great if car makers hid stuff today just for fun?
You do such a good job in research and presentation. I really enjoy the videos.
Rick, Thanks for the great videos. I really enjoy your Chevy ones. I actually like them all, but I like Chevy's more. Keep up the great work. My favorite was the 1958. They were all nice and from a lost era.
I went with my Dad who was shopping for a newer car for the family because the car we had in 1966 had a slipping transmission problem. My Dad bought a used ‘64 Impala two door sport coupe and the trade in was a ‘55 Bel Air two door sport coupe in two tone coral and dark grey. I sure would like to have that car today and for heaven sake have the Powerglide transmission repaired.
My first car at age 16 (1968) was a 57 Chevy 150 two door post coupe. Bought from a little old lady for $135. It was a light rose color with the standard black/white/gray interior. The 6-cylinder was firing on five and a half cylinders at 52k miles. Only options were automatic transmission, am radio and heater! She flawless served me, my brother and then my mother for 9 years with only careful maintenance.
When I was 18 and working in a gas station, I spotted a blue metal flake 57 Chevy 150 with chrome rims, a California rake in the rear and a beautiful black Tiajuana tuck and roll interior parked behind the station. The manager said it has a blown engine and the father was super angry at his son and would take the first $50 to come along! I bought it on the spot, then bought a used 283 cu in for $25 and rebuilt it after hours in the shop. Dropped in the engine and had a screaming, awesome ride for a total of $75 and a few hours labor. Other than the rich crowd, I was the envy of my high school. Sold it 2 years later for a 1963 split window Corvette that cost me $850 !!! Those truly were the days.
I had a friend who ordered a new 57 Chevy with all the options, including positrac. When it arrived at the dealer the window sticker didn’t list position. The dealer insisted it had it. The buyer took delivery and parked the front end against a dirt bank and spun the wheels (or wheel in this case) he returned the car and had the dealer re-order one with post-trac. He had to wait quite a while for it. The dealer wasn’t happy, but since the owner was in the habit of buying a new car every year they recorded it.
Never knew that the 57 almost didn't come true. It makes sense how you explained it. You do that better than everyone else on UA-cam!!! Wel done.
To the motorheads it was the 283 engine, and 12 volt electrics…
A great classic car! They became cruisers from the 60's on! My Dad had one exactly like yours from 1962-67. Same colors without the fender skirts. Just clear parking lights. Amber didn't come out until 1963. I wish I could have bought his when he sold it but I was only15 then. Now I have another Chevy classic, the 1969 Chevelle SS396 375HP. Another great cruiser!
I was born in May '57, and Its always been my favorite Chevy, and no, that's not the reason. It's all the reasons you mention Rick, of course. Chevy really wanted the '58 for that year because of the all-new Ford and Plymouth going up against it. Instead they had to "make do" with the same basic car for a 3rd year. So they changed everything they possible could to give the illusion it WAS as new as the competition, and that included a barrage of TV and print ads the actually all-new '58 and '59 Chevy's didn't get! The rear quarter panel on the '57 is very wide, so it looks sleek because you have a sleek area above and below the aluminum siding, which was sleek itself. The eye is focused on that by an optical illusion sleight of hand. My only wish on the '57 is that the hood and hood ornament of the '55 and '56 would have been retained on the '57 instead of the separate gun-slits. But like I said, the instructions were to change everything they could to make it look different, and they did. Also, I HATE fender skirts on so many these cars, the ugly bumper guards (front & back), the big geeky side mirrors, and the g-- damn continental kit. I get they were legit options for these cars (unfortunately), but that doesn't mean they don't look terrible. Definitely a case of less is more. That junk detracts from the beauty of this car.
My dad brought home a new 57 cheby how exciting he returned it-reason:it handled poorly-and bought a 56 FORD,drove it for years (I always thought 57 chebys had a Clown look with bad handling
@@bradzimmerman3171 I'm sorry to hear that, Brad. Did he test drive the Chevy though in advance of purchasing it, to rule out that possibility in advance? The '56 Ford is a beautiful car, and I'm glad he was happy with it. Just wondered which aspect of the '57 Chevy did you find clownish? I know for myself, I find gender skirts, continental kits, and the vertical bumper guards to make it appear clownish. Definitely a case of less is more.
1957 was such an exciting year for new cars! Ironically , Chevy was the least dramatically changed. Plymouth was radically restyled with even more graceful styling and swooping fins,with torsion aire ride and best handling. Ford was also completely restyled with new trim lines and had better ride and handling, Chevy didn’t do anything as different but what they did , they did well.. it wasn’t much better or worse than competitors but it all came together well.
In the very early 60s when I was just starting school if not before the 57 Chevy was my favorite car, I told my family it would be a classic. Looks like I was right.....again. And back then people were not even talking about classics. My uncles first car was a brand new 57 Chevy. Our family car at the time was a 55' Oldsmobile Rocket 88 2dr/ht. Another 50s classic but nowhere the level of the 55-57 Chevies.
With the '57 it's the headlight design. The rest of the car has great proportions and even on the mechanical end, but the light design is crucial. Similar aesthetic GM lights: '65 Impala, '68/'69 Chevelle/Malibu, and '57 Chevrolet truck. Each of these GMs also had the proportions to maximize the design of those sort of 'cat eye' lights. Those who understand this aesthetic aspect have tried to incorporate it into other models, such as square-body & 68 thru 72 GM trucks by affixing VW bug headlight trim rings to frame those truck headlights.
GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
Nice to be seen!
Great review. At the time, my dumb self was into the Ford Fairlane 500. Ford and Plymouth rusted faster than the payment coupons could be mailed in. By, say 1963 or so, a '57 Chev was still a great used car. By that time I was into TR4 (junk) and then settled on VWs.
"Rusted faster than the payment coupons could be mailed"😄😄😄
Regarding full sized fuselage panel fins the old saying is Plymouth did it first in 56', Chevy did it right in 57'.
My Brother was restoring a 57 Chevy Coup, same color as the one shown, except it has a B Pillar.
💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙I AGREE WITH YOU 500%.
I've looked and looked for years, and still fail to see the attraction to '55, '56', '57 Chevys. The '57 Ford had it ALL over the '57 Chevy. Ah, but Chevrolet turned it around in '58 and blew Ford out of the water. The '58 Chevy is a gorgeous car.
Thank you Rick
I can think of a few cars from 1957 I would rather have: Continental MK II, Eldorado Biarritz, Thunderbird, Roadmaster, Century, Lincoln Capri, Oldsmobile 98, Corvette. If I EVER see another tri-five Belair again, it will be too damned soon. I am so tired of them.
The dash on the 59 goes right back to the 57. Except for the Impala, the 58 was a dud, as were all the GM cars. Oddly enough, 'i owned several 57 GM cars - my first car was a 57 Olds, then a 57 Chevy, then a 57 Star Chief - the Chevy was the best of the bunch.
Yes indeed, 1958 chevy full size car was ugly!!
What happened to the "Sports Sedan" the 4dr Hardtop !
A few decades ago the 57 was the one to have. Today not much interest in them, muscle cars are more in demand
Didn'tt the 57 Ford outsell the Chevy?
Yes, it did. Although there are some ways to skew the numbers which show Chevy with a slight edge..
I disagree. They got it right from the start, the 1955 is the quintessential year of the three.
I agree the 55 is a much better design . Didn’t Ford outsell the 57 Chevy?
The headliner...
I could never understand the attraction. It looks clumsy compared to the '55 especially. Tacked on fins.
Unfortunately Plymouth didn’t realize their 1960 models were not ready to be released in 1957, despite what the ads said. Much better engineered and better looking than the Chevy, but the Chevy was better built.
Never liked the 57. 55 for sure and 56 is ok. So what, right.
The 57 Chevy Belair was nice , but the 57 Ford Fairlane out sold the Chevrolet by 2 to 1..
Total production Ford just edge Chevy. Although it also depends on what numbers you use.
I like the 55 the best. But I don't know if I would want to own one. I think the mid 60s is the sweet spot for me.
The 57 was way better
To be honest the dash of the 57 is ugly.
The car outside is just beautiful.
Look where they went just 3 years later .
The 1958/1959/1960 were hideous no wonder the 57 stands out.
I agree. 58, 59 and 60 were ugly.
@@Frederic-l4r what about the 'Wonderbar' AM radio?
Yup, ugly as ever dashes from 57-60... Then in following years GM dropped it's 283 because it was the perfect "problem free" engine. They then replaced it with the 305 307 which were not so perfect, like a weaker cam shaft that wore out in a short time. Guys would be installing better camshafts/lifters to make them run better, more efficient, more power.
@@McBuggs. my dad had a 61 Pontiac Laurentian it had the 283 engine and it was a big heavy car but that motor was wonderful
I agree then 1961 was very sharp looking followed by many more years of great looking cars!