Best there ever was – a ‘57 Chevy Bel Air

Standing out among the tail-finned cars in 1957 was the Chevrolet Bel Air. It is generally regarded as “the most iconic car that the automobile industry has ever produced,” noted Chris Riley, of AutoWise, a consumer-focused website, based in Rogers, Ark.

A recent post by Elizabeth Puckett at Microsoft News termed the 1957 Bel Air as “king of the quintessential ‘tri-five’ line that brought the world the drool-worthy mid-1950s Chevy body style.” Specifically, the tri-fives are the Chevys from three model years – 1955-57.

“Revolutionary in their day, these Chevys spawned a cult following among collectors and hot rodders,” Puckett said.

Hemmings Motor News, based in Bennington, Vt., caters to traders and collectors of antique, classic and exotic sports cars. Columnist Bob Palma says there is no single reason why the 1957 Chevy became America’s favorite. “Rather, its status must be credited to a unique combination of reasons, taken together.”

“The 1957 Bel Air showcases all the major 1950s styling cues without going overboard,” Palma said. Begin with the “twin rocket” hood design; this car has character. Up front are “headlamps below heavy eyebrows,” with the centered Chevrolet “V” insignia, appearing almost like a stylized nose. A wide-mouthed grille contains two protruding conical shaped “bullet bumper guards.”

“As originally conceived by Harley Earl, chief designer at General Motors, these bumper guards would mimic artillery shells, intended to convey the image of a speeding projectile,” Palma noted.

The 1957 Chevys had a distinctive profile as well, according to Palma, with “swoopy stainless-steel side moldings, anodized-aluminum quarter-panel trim and Earl’s sexy dip below the quarter windows.”

The tail fins were a cosmetic work of art. The middle section of the fin on the driver’s side contained the hidden gas cap. Below were the tail lights that were supported by faux dual exhaust outlets.

Palma wrote: “Could Chevrolet’s product planning, production and marketing departments have ‘engineered’ every one of these elements to create the icon that is the 1957 Chevrolet? Of course not. Nonetheless, all the stars somehow aligned just right behind the ’57 Chevy, and specifically, the Bel Air.”

Robert Tate, an automotive historian, chose to look under the hood. He wrote: “The 1957 Chevy cars offered a 250-horsepower Ramjet V8 engine. It was the first fuel injection V8 available in a standard production passenger car. This produced great fuel economy and led to outstanding overall performance for the driver.”

Paul Niedermeyer, an automotive storyteller, said the tri-five Chevys were “as solid as the proverbial brick outhouse” – cars that could comfortably accommodate “six pre-obesity crisis Americans.”

These vehicles offered the “nigh-near perfectly balanced package of size, weight and dimensions – with its resultant good performance, efficiency and easy handling – that would never again be replicated,” Niedermeyer said.

In 1957, General Motors produced seven Chevys that were named “black widows.” These cars were fast as the wind and earned their way into the NASCAR record book.

The most famous was Number 87, driven by Buck Baker. He won the overall title in 1957, becoming the first driver to win back-to-back NASCAR championships. Baker is in the NASCAR Hall of Fame and ranks 13th all-time on the circuit with 46 victories.

Editors at Hemmings asked readers to share their thoughts on the 1957 Chevy Bel Airs. Dennis A. Urban wrote: “The car’s got it all. Clean side lines, distinctive rear style, grille, parking lights, hood ornaments – all well-proportioned and clean. Have you ever driven a 1957 Bel Air? I have to say it has a feel and handle like no other…quick, easy to drive and fun.”

“There is no bad angle to this car. It is perfectly balanced, aesthetically,” wrote Chris Lutz of Manassas, Va.

“What made the ‘57 Chevy so popular was its ‘cool factor.’ It’s like comparing Perry Como, the nice clean-cut crooner, to the flashy…hip-shaking Elvis Presley,” commented Don Gridley of Harpers Ferry, W.V.

Gridley added: “The ‘57 Chevy was Elvis on four wheels.” Dagnabbit, man. That’s the ultimate in “cool.”

Elvis Presley went on to score five Number One hits in 1957. He owned at least two 1957 Chevy Bel Airs – a red one and a souped-up black one.