The "Tri-Five" Chevrolets (the 1955, 56 and 57 models) are probably among the most iconic cars in the world, ever. They capture the style and, let's admit it, the garish extravagance of that era, an era that brought new hopes of prosperity to many, not least the manufacturers of chrome polish.
This site is about one in particular - a 1957 Bel Air that was imported to the UK in June 2016 from the area of San Jose, California. I bought it in October from the importer, in Manchester.
The car was originally supplied with the Straight-6 "Blue Flame" engine and a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. At some point in its life, it has been fitted with a 327 cubic inch (5.3 litre) V8 engine from a 1964 or 65 Corvette, and T350 3-speed autobox. It has twin Stromberg 97 carburettors (known as the "hot-rod carbs and apparently much sought after), rather than the more ubiquitous huge Holley or Edelbrock, and very little in the way of exhaust silencing. It sound amazing - exactly how a big V8 should sound!
It's not in concours nick, but it's very presentable. I don't intend to restore it, I buy cars to drive, not just to look at, and this one is an awful lot of fun.
I have come to realise that life seems to be a series of sit-coms and tragedies, linked together by brief moments of stability and sanity. Or is that just me? Oh ok... well this diary of a 1957 Chevrolet, and an owner of, lets say, similar vintage, tries to make sense of all of that...
Click the links on the left to read on, or see photos of the car.
Thanks for visiting!
Disclaimer - On various pages of this site, I explain how I have done various jobs on my car. If you wish to follow that advice, then be aware that you do so entirely at your own risk. I have been fixing cars for a long long time, and although it might appear occasionally on these pages that I don't know what I'm doing (mainly for comedy value), I do know what is truly risky and what isn't. If you are in any doubt whatsoever about your ability to do any of these jobs, then you should seek professional advice. I accept absolutely no liability whatsoever for the consequences, either during maintenance or afterwards, of anybody following the advice on this web site.