1957 Chevrolet

Description

1957 was the last year of the "Tri-Five" Chevies which were introduced in 1955.

The 57 Chevy was available in three models, the 150, the 210, and the Bel Air. They came in four-door and two-door sedans (a B-pillar at the rear of the front door), two door coupes (no B-pillar), two-door convertibles, or as four-door or two-door station wagons. The two-door Bel Air station wagon was known as the Nomad.

The 235 cu in inline 6-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower was again standard. The Chevy small block V-8 was available with 265 cu in and 162 hp, or as an enlarged 283 cu in engine with 185 hp or 220 hp. The fuel-injected 283 with 283 hp was available for the first time.

1957 Chevrolet Key Differences

Key differences of the 1957 Chevrolet include large rear tail fins, lower tail lights surrounded by chrome, a full-width front grill with a horizontal bar and round, rubber-tipped bumper guards, and unique rear fender side trim.

Similar Years

1955 - 1957 Chevrolets are basically the same car with minor body and trim variations from one year to the next. Each model is different enough to be easily recognized.

How to Identify a 1957 Chevrolet

Overview

• "Tri-Five" body style (1957 - 1957)

1957 Chevrolet Grill

• Front grill is the full width of the car and has a central horizontal crossbar (1957)
• Round, rubber-tipped bumper guards are located on either side of the grill (1957)

1957 Chevrolet Tail Fins

• Pronounced rear tail fins sets the '57 Chevy apart from the '55 and '56 models (1957)

1957 Chevrolet Tail Lights

• Tail lights are specific to the 1957 model (1957)
• Tail lights are mounted lower, just above the bumper (1957)
• Back-up lights are in the bumper (1957)

1957 Chevrolet Rear Fenders

• Rear fenders and trim are unique to the 57 Chevy (1957)
• Bel-Air model shown which has an aluminum panel inserted between the two rear fender chrome strips (1957)

1957 Chevrolet Rear Trim

• 210 Chevrolet model does not have the aluminum panel between the two rear fender chrome strips (1957)
• 150 Chevrolet model has a single horizontal chrome strip (not shown)

1957 Chevrolet Hood Ornaments

• The '57 Chevy has two hood spears rather than one centrally mounted hood ornament (1957)

1957 Chevrolet B-Pillar

• B-pillar between the front and rear side windows on a two-door sedan (1955 - 1957)

1957 Chevrolet Coupe Hardtop

• No B-pillar between the front and rear side windows on a two-door coupe (1955 - 1957)
• Vertical chrome strip is a trim piece attached to the rear side window and goes down with the window

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible

• Convertible version of a 1957 Chev

More 1957 Chevrolet Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1957 Chevrolets, visit the Classic Chevy Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

If you have any comments, or would like to report any errors or omissions, contact us at feedback@oldcarsguide.com