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A nation of drivers were home bound starting in 1942 with the beginning of the United States involvement in WWII. Automobile production was halted that year as manufacturers geared up to make airplane, trucks and tanks and what ever else was needed for the war effort. It wasn't until the 1950s that the big three auto makers, GM, Ford and Chrysler began to reinvent the automobile. The 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953 and 1954 Chevrolets received only modest facelifts and were called dull but dependable. However, in 1955, 1956 and 1957 appearance and engineering was changed radically by Chevrolet. Who was responsible for the new Chevy's? Chuck Jordon, Harley Earl and especially Edward Nicholas Cole, Chevrolet's Chief Engineer.

In May of 1952 General Motors, Chevrolet stylist and Ed Cole began a three year run on what the old car collectors 50 years later would call the best of the 1950s Classic Cars. The first Chevrolet produced during this new era of low price dream cars, was the 1955 Chevrolet. It was introduced as the "Hot One". A national love affair was about to began.

Chevrolet shed its dull old image in 1955, replacing it with all new "Motoramic" styling. "Don't argue with this baby" warned one Chevrolet ad in 1955. Chevy did have a lot to boast about that year and it knew it. Completely redesigned, with lots of styling, accessories, and a powerful new V-8 it was generally the most changed Chevy since WWII.

The 1955 Chevrolet had 3 different models, Bel Air, Two-Ten and One-Fifty, and 16 new body styles! The Bel Air Convertible, Sport Coupe 2 door hard top, 4 door sedan, 2 door sedan, Beauville 4 door station and the Nomad 2 door station wagon. The mid level Two-Ten Sport Coupe 2 door hard top, Delray Club Coupe 2 door, 4 door sedan, 2 door sedan, Townsman 4 door station wagon and the Handyman 2 door station wagon. The lower cost models were the One-Fifty 4 door sedan, 2 door sedan, 2 door utility sedan and the Handyman 2 door station wagon. Even more appealing body colors were available in 1955, with 14 solid color options and 21 new two-tone combinations.

The new 1955 Chevrolet offered a V-8 engine for the first time in 35 years. It was named the 265 cubic inch "Turbo-Fire" V-8 which delivered 162 horsepower with a 2 barrel carburetor and 180 horsepower with a 4 barrel carburetor. Also available was Chevrolet's old reliable 235 cubic inch six cylinder that developed 123 horsepower. Transmissions included a 3-speed standard, 3-speed with overdrive and the Powerglide.

The new Chevrolet's were smoother, lower and longer looking. A grand total of 1,704,667 1955 Chevy's were produced, setting a production record in 1955. In response to this large demand only one question remained. What would Chevy do for an encore? The answer was the 1956 Chevrolet (Part 2).

Steve Farber is an author and auto related web site publisher. Learn more about the "Hot One's"! GM's Classic 1955 Chevrolet, 1956 Chevrolet and 1957 Chevrolet at his three web sites by viewing lots of seldom seen "Vintage Chevy Ad" pictures of body styles, body colors, interior colors. Plus, engine specifications, prices and production figures.

1957 Chevy Bel Air - An American Classic

There are just a handful of classic cars that just about anyone will immediately recognize and the 1957 Chevy Bel Air is one of them. From the classic tail fins to the hooded headlights this model is as much an American icon as parades and apple pie. While the term '57 Chevy has come to be used as a catchall phrase for that model year, as though there were just one model, there were actually several different variations of note. It's interesting to consider that the boys at Chevy wanted to see a totally new design for the 1957 model year. Production problems and setbacks caused them to use the 1955 model design as a base one more time. Imagine how close we were to never seeing this model!

The 1957 Chevrolet came in three different main trim packages. The Bel Air was the top of the line luxury package featuring gold anodized trim pieces on the front grill, fenders, hood and trunk lid. The 210 package was a mid-line offering with the 150 package rounding out the line as a base offering. There were several body styles available for the 1957 model year, most of which had an option of the Bel Air trim package. The standard Chevy two and four door sedans were offered as well as a two door and four door Hardtop. Often confused by novice observers are the Sedans and Hardtop or Sport Coupes. The sedan model is easy to spot when you understand that model has upright pillars between the windows while the Hardtop or Sport Coupe does not. Also produced was what they called a Utility Coupe which featured a bench in the back rather than a regular seat for salesmen who needed to carry samples and deliver items. Station wagons were also popular at the time and Chevy offered two variations in '57. The Nomad was the high end version with a Bel Air trim package while the Handyman was offered in the 150 and 210 packages. And we can't forget the famous Chevy Convertible from this year!

On top of the many body style variations from this year a ton of different options were available. Air Conditioning and Fuel Injection are perhaps the most notable two of them all however very few were sold. Air conditioning was still considered an unnecessary luxury by most and Fuel Injection was so new that most garages simply did not know how to fix the system. Most 1957 Chevy buyers that year opted for the tried and true carburetor. Other items offered included a "Surround Sound" system for the radio (which consisted of a speaker in the rear of the car), power radio antenna, power brakes and a padded dashboard. This was the same year the ill fated Turboglide transmission was introduced. Unfortunately this tranny had a bad reputation from the start and the vast majority of buyers avoided it. The Turboglide ceased production less than 4 years later.

While we think of this car as perhaps the most famous in American history the buying public at the time was not equally impressed. While sales are decent they fell short of expectations. In fact the Ford Motor Company out sold Chevy that year for the first time in over 20 years. Following an interesting trend in classic car market however, the 1957 Chevy remains one of the most sought after models for car collectors the world over.

About the Author

Bill has recently posted a fully restored 1957 Chevy on his website. To see tons of pictures of the '57 click HERE. Bill is a big fan of anything with wheels and a motor...especially Harley Motorcycles.Thanks!

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