Origin: Flint, MI
Engine: 8-Cylinder
Transmission: 3-Speed Manual
One of the most iconic cars from the 50s, the Bel Air was only technically produced for two years, from 1950 to 1952. That is because, starting in 1953, the Bel Air went from a designation for a unique body shape to a premium level of trim applied across a number of body styles. The Bel Air option was offered all the way up until 1981.
The 1957 Chevrolet came in three series models: the low end One-Fifty, the mid-range Two-Ten, and, of course, the upscale Bel Air. The Bel Air was at the tail end of its second generation (out of a total of eight) and was marketed as the “Hot One” with interior carpet, chrome details, and a Ferrari-inspired front grille. This generation also introduced the small-block V-8, the first V-8 available in a Chevrolet since 1918. What makes the 1957 special though is the tailfins and upscale gold trim. It is one sharp-looking car, and unique among Bel Airs.
From the number standpoint, however, it was a flop. 1957 was the first time since 1935 that rival Ford outsold Chevrolet. The shift was in large part due to all 1957 Chevrolets having tubeless tires, a brand-new innovation that was not trusted by the general public at the time. In the modern day though, the 1957 Chevrolet is prized among car collectors for its hot rod looks and 50s/60s nostalgia.