Specifications: 250hp 283 cu. in. overhead valve fuel-injected V8 engine with two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, independent front suspension with ‘A’ arms and coil springs, live axle rear suspension with leaf springs, and power drum brakes all around. Wheelbase: 115"

The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, riding on new 14 inch tires, was two and a half inches longer and stood one and a half inches lower than the previous year’s model. It also featured a distinctive new grille integrated with new front bumpers. On the bonnet, gun-sight ornaments fronted the new wind splitters while three gold chevrons could be found on each front wing. At the rear, distinct new tail fins ended in sharply defined chrome caps and the petrol cap was concealed behind the left taillight. The top of the line Bel Air also had chrome sills and distinctive ribbed satin-finish wedge panels on the rear wings. Bel Airs were available in seven different models and were trimmed with anodized aluminum on the rear body side panels.

Under the hood, Chevy owners could choose from the tried-and-true six or 265 cubic inch V8, or from up to a half dozen variations of the enlarged 283 cubic inch V8 engine. But the rarest of the rare, and the most powerful of all, was the fuel-injected V8. At 283 horsepower, when fitted with high compression heads, this was the first engine to achieve the magic one horsepower per cubic inch. When fitted to the standard 8.5:1 compression heads, it was still good for an impressive 250hp.

The Chevrolet Bel Air offered here is a remarkable convertible, having been the subject of a meticulous frame-off restoration, with a mere eight miles since completion. It is a full matching number example, all the way to the proper glass codes and the beautiful factory correct Tropical Turquoise paint. Complementing the exterior is a correct matching ivory and turquoise leather grain vinyl interior in excellent, as new condition, with an ivory convertible top. The car is nicely accented by chrome and brightwork, which has been very well restored where possible and replaced with very good new old stock (NOS) or reproduction components where necessary.

The engine bay is in very good condition and has been fully and professionally detailed. All wiring, clamps, and fittings appear to be correct for the period. The undercarriage has been fully restored, with all steering and suspension components, hardware, and fittings in nearly new condition. The car has been recently recommissioned by RM restorations after a period of unmolested storage and runs and drives as expected.

This fuel injected Bel Air convertible has the 250 horsepower, 283 cubic inch V8 mated to a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. The car is also generously equipped with an extensive list of factory options including fender skirts, spinner wheel covers, wide whitewall tires, a day/night rear-view mirror, a tissue dispenser, door handle guards, backup lights, cigarette lighter, an electric clock, glove box light, a signal seek Wonderbar radio, three-note horns, deluxe heater, vanity visor mirror and electric windscreen wipers with vacuum type washer. The Bel Air also has a full complement of power accessories, which includes power steering, power windows, power seats, power brakes, dual power antennas and a power top. At the front of the car is a one-piece California front bumper with bullets, while at the rear there is the rare and very desirable Continental kit.

Few cars define classic American top-down motoring as perfectly as the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible, and fewer still are both painted in the 50s-era classic color of Tropical Turquoise and equipped with the powerful fuel injected 250hp engine introduced in late 1957. Perhaps its original advertisement description of ‘Startlingly new!’ may not hold true today, but it certainly is a ‘Wonderfully different!’ classic car.