| The 57 Chevy Bel Air has been called 'the most | | | | tail fins and the addition of 2 ½ inches to |
| popular car in history', and given the fact that this | | | | the length gave them a longer, lower and wider |
| Chevrolet was actually outsold by the Ford | | | | appearance; a decrease from 15 to 14 inch |
| Thunderbird the year of its launch, that is some | | | | wheels and a big new bumper grille made them |
| accolade. | | | | one of the most attractive productions of that |
| Baby Cadillac in Style | | | | decade. |
| 'Baby Cadillac' in style the 1957 Chevrolet was | | | | The 57 Bel Air was originally designed in 1954 for |
| described in a memorable Chevy ad as 'sweet, | | | | a 55 launch and was considered at the time to be |
| smooth and sassy'. The Chevy was not just part | | | | a welcome bold new look for the company. It |
| of the American dream, it was beamed into | | | | was a steal with a starting price of $1095, when |
| homes all over the world through its many TV | | | | you consider that a subscription to a good car |
| appearances, hence it became part of a larger | | | | magazine almost costs that today. The most |
| more global dream. | | | | famous model with the V-8 engine in 57, packed |
| 57 Chevy Fins | | | | an amazing 1 horsepower per cubic inch (a first |
| Was it the fins or was it the fact that the Chevy | | | | for a mass produced car at the time), giving this |
| 57 became the car of choice for every high | | | | car speed as well as killer looks. |
| school kid around the world in the 60's that made | | | | Chevy Put the Purr Back in Performance |
| these cars the collectible icons they have become | | | | The sound emitted from the dual exhausts of the |
| today? That there were only ever 47,566 Bel | | | | 57 became synonymous with the sound of a cat |
| Airs produced, also contributes to their gold like | | | | purring, confirming this was an ad placed in a |
| preciousness. | | | | premier Chevrolet magazine at the time |
| Where did the Bel Air name come from? In | | | | announcing to all that 'Chevy puts the purr back in |
| previous years the deluxe versions of the | | | | performance'. |
| Chevrolet hardtops were nicknamed Bel Air. This | | | | It is no wonder that the 1957 Chevy Bel Air went |
| stuck and Chevrolet liked it so much they | | | | on to become one of the most collectible post |
| launched it as its own very distinct series. | | | | war cars in history. |
| These Chevys were easily identifiable. The new | | | | |