1957 Chevrolet Convertible: Dream Bel Air

The story of this 1957 Chevrolet Convertible begins in 1998 when Chevy Classics member Rod Fisher sold it to me in Grand Island, NE. The car was a frame-off restored black convertible with a red and silver interior. While nearly complete, the body was wavy—a major concern, especially for a black car, as it often hides layers of Bondo. My initial plan was to strip it, repaint it to show quality, and send it to Barrett-Jackson for a quick flip. However, this car turned out to be something far more special than I anticipated.

A Surprising Discovery

After having the car delivered to my San Diego home, we disassembled it and stripped it to bare metal. To my surprise, the body was nearly flawless—an all-original frame with minimal rust, almost no filler, and no excessive layers of high-build primer. The rust was limited to:

• A 4-inch section on the frame rail stiffeners.
• A 5x5-inch area under the seat.

The discovery changed my plans entirely. Instead of a quick flip, this car became my passion project: creating the most date-code correct 1957 fuel-injected convertible in the world.

NOS Parts Collection

To achieve my vision, I began gathering my collection of NOS (New Old Stock) parts:

• Exterior Components: Stainless trims, taillight inserts, hood bar, grille, front bumper, and bullets.
• Interior Components: Steering components, dash trim, weather strips, T3 headlights, and door sills.
• Specialized Parts: An NOS fuel injection-only distributor and riveted A-arms.

The car was originally built at the Van Nuys, CA assembly plant—just 20 miles from where I grew up—and dated March 1957, one of the earliest fuel-injected convertibles. Estimates suggest that fewer than 70 units of these "Fuelies" were ever produced.

Restoration Journey

In 1999, I enlisted Terry Sparks Restoration and Brad Dunn, both experts in Chevy restorations, to assist with the project.

• Terry Sparks: Responsible for bodywork and paint.
• Brad Dunn: Ensured every component met original factory specifications.

Key Restoration Steps

1. Frame Work:

   • Checked and approved by a local frame shop.
   • Stripped and coated in semi-gloss black epoxy.

2. Bodywork:

   • Mounted to the frame and aligned.
   • Blocked and sanded with two-part epoxy primer—repeated three times, allowing a month for curing between each cycle.

3. NOS Integration:

   • Carefully installed the rare NOS parts, including weather strips and exterior trim.

Despite progress, other projects delayed the restoration, including a black '57 convertible for another Chevy Classics member, David Fletcher. After sitting in my garage for two years, I moved the car to Michael Domeracki, a renowned expert with over 40 '57 Chevy convertible builds to his credit.

Finishing Touches

Michael completed much of the remaining work, including addressing minor frame rust and correcting small imperfections. However, after three years, the project still required final adjustments. In 2014, I retrieved the car and brought it back to Terry Sparks and Brad Dunn for completion.

• Interior Work: Sent to Ciadella Interiors in Tempe, AZ, for a factory-accurate finish.
• Final Adjustments: Body alignment, finish work, and final assembly completed in just two months.

Show Highlights

This stunning convertible went on to dominate car shows, winning multiple awards:

• AACA Show (Tucson, AZ): Class Winner.
• Concours d’Elegance (La Jolla, CA): Class Winner and Mayor’s Choice Award.
• Benedict Canyon Castle Concours (Riverside, CA): Class Winner and Best of Show Tie.
• Classic Chevy Show (Oklahoma): Class Winner and Platinum Award (997/1,000 points).
• Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance: Class Winner.
• Quail Lodge Show (Monterey, CA): Display-only feature.

A Dream Realized

Restoring this car has been a journey of passion, dedication, and attention to detail. The level of precision and authenticity in this 1957 Chevrolet Convertible is unmatched, making it a standout among its peers. While judges may not fully appreciate every detail, I take immense pride in knowing this car represents the pinnacle of restoration excellence.